Here we go, on our last day in the city, we took another lovely walk to the famous landmarks. We started in light rain but the sun came out later.
Oh yes, this oh so very British weather!
Our first stop was the Wellington Arch. Access to the viewing platform is free with the London Pass. We just wanted to have a quick look. But when we came into the entrance hall, the lady at the desk quickly welcomed us and immediately urged us up the viewing platform “Quick, quick!”, she said, “The Change of the Guards is about to begin!”.
Looking back, this woman deserves a huge thank you! The Horseguards make their way to the Change of Guards through the Wellington Arch. We had a fantastic view of the proud men and their horses. But also without the horseguards a visit is well worthwhile. The view is very pleasant and the little museum shows interesting exhibits.
We were a little damp when we decided to take the bus to the Royal Albert Hall, even though it is only a small distance.
Participating in one of the tours there is free with the London Pass. A little extra time is needed here. Tours start every 30 minutes and have only a limited amount of spaces. Depending on how busy it is it can take a little while until a spot becomes available.
There is a little café and bistro in which we had about 45 minutes time to dry a little before our tour.
The tour is offered in English, but is fairly easy to understand for foreigners. We visited the concert hall and also the small and surprisingly plain room in which the Queen spends the time during the intervals. Stories about different artists, the history of the Royal Albert Hall and the architecture made the tour interesting and entertaining.
Opposite the Royal Albert Hall in the park, you find the Kensington Palace. Since the rain had stopped, we walked past it through Hyde Park.
On the other side of the park, we hopped on a bus again and went to Westminster Abbey. This visit, too, was free with the London Pass. On top of that, you get to queue in the so-called SpeedLande, which means considerably shorter waiting times.
Thorough security checks are carried out before entering the church, taking pictures of the interior is prohibited. But the visit is well worthwhile, a superb nave.
The last stop of our city tour was Trafalgar Square. A massive, insanely busy square in front of the National Gallery. But the pretty fountains also made this quick side trip an experience.
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