Monday 29/4/19

Can you visit all of London’s best attractions in 36 hours?

Rob and had a good crack at it that’s for sure! After a whirlwind afternoon on Sunday we bought tickets for “The original red bus tour” which allows you to hop on and off at many tourist destinations.

There are three main routes – Yellow which is the original, Blue – Royal Route and Orange – Museum Route. We started from our hotel and after we walked a few minutes to Russell Square, got on at the British Museum on the Orange Route. At Leicester square we hopped off to try to get half price West End tickets but the Harry Pinter play – Betrayal that we had hoped to see was not available so we opted to see the Avenger’s movie at the Odeon Luxe instead. Tickets for the evening organised we walked over to Piccadilly Circus to hop on the Yellow line. Rob and I continue to be blown away at the old architecture at every turn, trendy but also with an underbelly.

Minutes from hopping on the bus again we arrive at Trafalgar Square which is very impressive with the National Portrait Gallery.

Then along Downing Street where I wasn’t quick enough to take a pic of the Royal Horse Guards but did get the Death memorial.

Over Westminster Bridge, York Road past the Eye, then Waterloo Bridge, Aldridge Street past the Royal Courts then Fleet Street to St Paul’s, we hopped off to explore and had a glass of wine at a bar opposite St Paul’s, a very nice place to sit back and watch the world go by. I also good deed after watching a guy try to take a selfie with a red phone booth. I waved at him offering to help then dashed outside to take his photo for him. Must have done a good job too, as I was then waylaid by a group of girls as I came back in, asking for the same help. 😄

Back on the bus we travelled across London Bridge and the monument which is the tribute to the Great Fire of London and then on to the Tower of London where we stopped for a tour. quite somber and a lot of people there.

Back on the bus we went past Big Ben which is mostly under wraps for refurbishment – apparently it was starting to lean!!!

We hopped off the yellow tour to cross to the Blue Royal Tour at Buckingham palace but backtracked to visit a pub we had passed called “The Royal Albert”, previously known as the Blue Coat boy (after one of the original schools). Second pic.

Disappointingly these cute pubs all have the same menu!!! This was our third… We decided it must be a chain. The Albert did have the original etched glass and moulded ceilings which made up somewhat though.

Refreshed with food, we walked back to Buckingham palace for a pic and then back on the bus.

Crowds everywhere today after the Marathon and apparently it’s a long weekend for Italy following Easter break…

Back on the bus we decided to hop off in Whitehall as we had reached overload.

We sat in Trafalgar square for a while, soaking up the atmosphere for a while then walked to another pub we had passed that looked like a local – Walkers in Whitehall were we enjoyed a glass of Cotes du Rhone red wine.

We then walked back to Leicester square for dinner at the Blue Moon under the Water and then we were off to our movie which was amazing….

We caught a London taxi home. Big day! About 15km walking.