THE LONDON WALK - Westminster & the West End
Sarah Andrews - Carshalton, Surrey
May 2008
I'd highly recommend this walk. As born and bred Londonders now living in the suburbs we decided to try this walk because although living in or close to London all out lives we realised we had never spent any time finding out about our city. Tom brought Westminster to life for us - no longer just an image to be seen on News at Ten, but the home of Big Ben - the bell as wide and shapely as it's maker, the place of treason trials which over time displayed the heads of those who dared to challenge the monarchy, and the debating house for Churchill and leaders of our time. We even got a greater understanding of our Queen's role and the ceremonies and traditions linked to parliaments opening(is it really all timed by her foot first touching the blue carpet? ..hmmm maybe a bit of leg pulling). What a magnificent view we had of the Abbey - and the tales we heard of those who rested there whether they wanted to or not - a Dickens of a tale was told to us. Then we trekked through tiny streets to a small terrace of houses - tiny in size but not cost favoured by celebreties when in town, through to see an amazing site which as Londoners I'm ashamed we have never made the effort to see before. The pomp and ceremony of the daily changing of the guard. Crowds gathered six or seven deep outside and in front of Buckingham Palace all trying to get a glimpse - but not us - Tom found us a great close up and unobstructed view of the guards marching by - wow!
We even found out how to tell if the Queen was at home or not. Then off to St James - how grand - were the old Royals really so cruel to throw poor lepers and friars out on to the street and claim the tower as a palace of their own? I guess so.
Anyway a big thank you to Tom, great fun and so much knowledge -we're hooked!