Strolling by the Tourist Sites in London

We head over to London and begin our visit with a familiarization stroll past many of the main tourist sites, starting in Knightsbridge (near Harrods) and walking toward Buckingham Palace, about a mile away, first passing through the Wellington Arch and entering Green Park.  The Wellington Arch was originally designed as an entrance to Buckingham Palace and was later moved to the current site to be a victory arch celebrating Wellington's defeat of Napoleon.

 Wellington Arch

 Green Park

Green Park has paths leading straight to Buckingham Palace, where we emerge at the Victoria Memorial, located at one end of the Mall, the grand boulevard stretching between the palace and Trafalgar Square.

 Victoria Memorial, Buckingham Palace

Views from the Victoria Memorial:  The Mall, London Eye wheel in the distance

From the palace, we stroll through St. James Park to Parliament and Big Ben, which is now silent for a well-needed refurbishment.

 St. James Park 

 Friendly folk in St. James Park

Reaching Big Ben, at the Westminster Bridge, we have great views of Parliament, the Thames flowing through the city, and the London Eye, a 135 meter (443 foot) ferris wheel on the south bank of the Thames.

Big Ben, Parliament, Thames, London Eye, Music

From here, it's a short walk to 10 Downing Street, the residence of the British Prime Minister and, then down Parliament Street to Trafalgar Square, whose name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, the British naval victory over France in the Napoleonic wars (October 21, 1805).

 10 Downing Street

 Trafalgar Square

Our destination is a fabulous wine bar, the Cork & Bottle, just off Leicester Square, a few blocks behind Trafalgar Square, a great place for wine and dinner.  We enter and enjoy a bottle of Cotes de Provence, duck liver pate, and baked camembert with bread and onion chutney.

 Cork & Bottle

Duck liver pate, baked camembert

This is a great introductory stroll through London, now (in the next few blogs), it's time to explore some of the more off-the-beaten-path sights and experiences of the city.