I have to pinch myself even had been Westminster area plenty of times but I still love here to soak up the lovely atmosphere.
Before continue to write my return journey at Westminster, let's me briefly introduce this one of the top attention in London. Most of the travel book such as Lonely Planet and Rick Steve always labelled this touristy area as the first stop in London.
Westminster area comprises of iconic landmarks which are:
- Houses of Parliament which stretches along the north bank of the River Thames. Visitors can attend debates, watch judicial hearings, also can take guided tours of this Neo-Gothic building.
- Medieval quintessential Westminster Abbey where England's kings and queens have been crowned and buried
- 96m Height Big Ben Clock Elizabeth Tower is named for its heavy ton bell, Ben. Currently, it is undergoing a major renovation which scheduled to be completed in 2021.
- Coca-Cola Cola London Eye which built in 2000 to celebrate the millennium.
- Thames River Cruise which you can enjoy a boat trip to Tower Bridge and Greenwich.
Westminster area can be accessed by underground which the station also named as Westminster.The District, Circle and Jubilee lines all stop in this station. After visit Westminster, you can continue walking to Trafalgar Square or alternatively to Buckingham Palace. Depending on your energy level, which you start walking along the South Bank of Thames to Millennium Bridge and Tower Bridge. Multiple red buses served in this area and bus number 12 lead you to shopping paradise - Regent Street and Oxford Street which I frequently ride.
Continue with my previous post, which I had decided to change my mind to drop by Westminster again. Been smack outside the Westminster Tube exit and I still manage to ramble around this area with my first visit to these two white towers of Westminster Abbey. I just stay outside and see this UNESCO site Abbey for free Surprisingly, I still can feel its awe-inspiring of this more than thousand year of this ornate church and outside also photogenic.
There are no any events or demonstrations at the Parliament Square Garden and make me easy to enjoy the surroundings with great buildings of Westminster Abbey and Parliament buildings.I do not stay long at this small square and continue my walk to Westminster Bridge which is just stone throw from Parliament Square.
I stand across the road waiting for wonderful chime from this most recognised clock in the world and ogle the mighty of Elizabeth Tower and Parliament.Finally, I caught the brilliant chimes at 12 noon and what a striking music to listen.
Although it is not my first time here, but it absolutely provide me prominent sights at this moment, gorgeous of Parliament with his partner Big Ben Tower, picturesque views of London from Westminster Bridge, giant ferris wheel of London Eye from the downstream of Thames,the red steel arch Lambeth Bridge far from the upstream, underrated street lamps at the bridge, souvenir stall, watching river cruise boat to take the tourists, giant red buses and famous black cab driving past, flock of people from all over the world, with most of them taking selfie, wefie and snapshots. It is so lively and absolutely knows you are in London.
Regrettably, I did not take away with Costa office (eventually I cannot find any coffee stall there), it will be a fantastic moment to stand middle of the bridge with strong breeze plus a hot coffee while enjoying scenic views from both sides of Thames and the Parliament and Big Ben. This is a just short walk to the other end of the bridge, you can turn your left side to the London Eye or explore the right sidewalk nearby St Thomas Hospital to snap a whole Parliament with Big Ben.
It is worth coming back here during sunset or night time to witness different scenery, especially the wheel, lights up beautifully.