A day out in London - but somewhere a bit different

I wanted to spend some time in London during my time off, but wanted to go somewhere a bit different. 

I decided to go to Greenwich, home of the Cutty Sark but also various maritime museums, and of course the Royal Observatory, home of the Greenwich meridian line.  Also, I have never walked through Greenwich Park and knew that there were meant to be great views into London..  so my plan was set (I had another one too, but kept that to myself)

 I arrived in Greenwich around 11 and of course had to photograph the Cutty Sark before I headed for the park

still looking a bit (very) grey but it's not meant to rain...

 ornate gates at the park - although I nipped in the side!

 I walked past the National Maritime Museum
(was thinking about going inside later, although I have visited before)

 walked along the long herbaceous border

 and then walked up through the park to the Royal Observatory

you get some great views even down at this level, of the city in the distance behind the Museum and behind that, the old Royal Naval college (more of that later)

 paths cross the park

 turning back for a view

 views from partway up the hill (it was quite steep as you could see from the bottom)

and this phone pic!

but you can take it at your own pace and

 enjoy the views

 at the viewing platform at the top now -
an engraved sign tells you where all the sights are...not sure you'll be able to read any of them though!

 changed to the longer lens for a closer look

for those not in the know, the thing that looks like a tent is the O2 concert venue

 I decided as I was unlikely to be back for a while to make the most of the views

to go and see the Meridian Line where Greenwich Mean Time starts you have to pay to go into the Observatory.

 I decided to do so, 

couldn't get a photo of this sundial without people walking in the way...

 I collected my audio guide (although I gave up with it as I was listening to the cricket too!) 

and went and found the Meridian Line...


too a few photos as I walked along it...

 here's Greenwich, zero degrees... one foot either side one in the west, one in the east   although my boots are out of sight!

the buildings are gorgeous though

 the Meridian courtyard, full of people doing what I'd been doing on the time line! 

 the first building I went in to  (Flamsteed House) told the story  of the first Astronomer Royal, John Flamsteed,

 as with all museums lighting was kept quite subdued and things are in glass cases so I didn't take loads of photos inside

 but tried to take the information signs too

 running round the centre of this globe are the longitude references and the guide tells you how they measured them



various other displays told the story of early time-keeping and how instruments were developed to measure distance travelled at sea
(it was interesting but I did start to get a bit bored...)

bit fuzzy sorry.

 there is also another viewpoint area

 I was trying to make sure I didn't miss any bits.


this is the "Great Equatorial Telescope"

headed down the stairs - marked exit only... met 3 people coming up!! 

 the London Planetarium. 
I didn't go inside (I think it's free, but I saw a large group of small (5 or 6 year old) schoolchildren heading in......)

 not sure if you can read this - but it tells you about

 ....









the piece of meteorite... 

statue of Yuri Gagarian

 the time ball...  every day at 1pm it drops to announce the time

 I sat on a bench under the shade of this colonnade for my lunch

the former Royal Naval college

 The Queen's House - a former royal residence designed by Inigo Jones...

 what a floor! 

 the Tulip Staircase was fairly impressive too

 a balcony ran round the top of the Grand Hall

 just a few pics from this room - 20th century artwork

 the Queen's House is also home to the famous portrait of Elizabeth I -

the "Armada" portrait

 it's pretty impressive

 as  is the ceiling

 view of the floor from the balcony

 heading back outside, I was now going back to Greenwich centre

the former naval college now forms part of the University of Greenwich - lucky students











this gateway allows you onto the Thames pathway that follows the river for a fair way round...

 views downstream to the O2

 but I was heading back to Greenwich Pier


sails on the Cutty Sark

 now bathed in sunshine

 the second part of my plan involved a river trip back up river rather than going by tube underground


good thing the sun had come out - and a ship was ready to depart, what good timing!

 I got very snap happy (there's a change!)

 as the ship negotiated it's way off the quayside and turned round to head back up river

 a commentary did tell you what some of the sights were

 luxury apartments abound along the river now

 modern ships

 some of the river cruises were going much faster than ours! 

 sailing boats

 rowing boats... you name it, people will sail./row up the river any way they can

 loads of building/refurbishment going on

can't imagine how much these apartments will cost!  but what a view

 still a working river too, it's not all pleasure!

 always worth looking behind too...

 the river used to be lined with wharves like this one, for loading and unloading working vessels with goods from all over the globe.

most of them are now luxury flats

 I love how as the Thames twists and turns, sights appear on the left one minute and the right the next..

colourful gardens

 all too soon Tower Bridge came into view...

my place of disembarkation. (the cruise goes on to Westminster pier)

 not sure what ArtsArk is, but I must look it up, it sounds interesting

 I was trying to dodge the heads - everyone wanted the iconic view of Tower Bridge

 we came under the outer part of the bridge

 it felt close enough to touch!

 as we started to pull into the dock, the Tower came into view

 the bridge from the other side

 HMS Belfast, now a museum ship

I should probably know which bridge this is! 

top of the Shard

 of course I went into the Tower of London for a few minutes.... setting up for a Food Festival (tomorrow till the weekend)  in the Moat

 I was only going in for a cup of tea, in the end I had an ice cream

 a new guard patrol came along...

 after my ice cream I decided to head home, although it was still relatively early I wanted to be out of London before rush hour started so I was guaranteed a seat on the train!

 shame I wasn't here tomorrow, bet the food festival will be good!









I crossed the road toward the Tube station by Trinity Square  garden (found a sign to tell me) - I always admire this memorial from the roadside -

 it is a memorial to Merchant Seamen who died in both world wars

 view of the Tower from the garden

and then it was time to head home.



I am sure this is probably a very heavy photo post, but it had to be done

I really enjoyed the day - best bits - the view from the top of Greenwich Park - lived up to it's reputation and I am so glad I went -   and the river boat trip.


thanks for looking

feet up for the rest of the evening now!!