The Tower of London – kind of misleading name, it’s only about 3 to four stories tall, but it’s a series of several castles, walls, moats and towers. Through the years it served as a royal residence, and a place to store the Crown Jewels (they are still on showcase there today), a high profile prison and a torture chamber. For Eric and I it was the highlight of our stay in London. The tower included collections of weapons, armour, royal crests, jewels and more. If you are an English history, war or royalty buff, this place is a must see! We spent several hours here, walked the fortress walls, and really soaked (literally) in the whole experience. It’s in amazing condition considering it’s nearly 1000 years old.

Green Park

We started our day at Green Park just across the street from our hotel.  Green Park is one of the Royal Parks of London.  For centuries the park has been used by royalty, aristocrats and saints.  The Park was first recorded in 1554 when Sir Thomas Wyatt led a rebellion in protest against the marriage of Mary I to Philip II of Spain. The area was meadowland used for hunting and the occasional duel.  In the park there are various monuments including the Canada Gate, Canadian WWII Memorial, Australian WWII Memorial and the Dominion Gates.

St. James Park

From Green Park we walk slowly through St. James Park towards Buckingham Palace.  The park was just coming alive with spring on fast approach.  Early spring flowers and vibrant blades of grass sparkled in the dew.  There were beautiful swans in the lake and birds were chirping all around.  It was such a beautiful and peaceful walk.

Buckingham Palace

We then found ourselves standing outside Buckingham Palace.  The Queen’s Guard at buckingham stand watch wearing their famous tall, black, bearskin hats.  The flag was flying over Buckingham which is a signal to everyone that the Queen is at home.  There were mobs of people gathering for the changing of the guards ceremony set to take place at 11AM.  We then made our way towards the most iconic symbol of London, Big Ben.

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

Big Ben is part of the Palace of Westminster originally started in 1020. The palace was burnt down in 1834, so the Gothic architecture of today see is comparatively recent.  The palace houses both of the the UK’s ruling bodies, the Houses of Parliament and the House of Lords.  When parliament is sitting after dark, a light shines from the top of Big Ben’s tower.

Westminster Abbey

Like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey was at the top of the list of “must-see’s” for our visit.  The building was erected by Edward the Confessor in 1065, when he set his throne in the neighboring Westminster Palace. Westminster Abbey has become the setting for coronations, burials, funerals and marriages. Westminster Abbey is England’s main religious building. Many kings and famous people are buried there.

London Eye

Next on our journey we walk over the Westminster Bridge to wait in line (or queue) for our trip on the London Eye.  Built as part of the year 2000 millennium celebrations, it is now one the most popular attractions of all.  Essentially the proposition is a very simple one. Ride a giant big wheel 443 feet high taking 30 minutes to travel one revolution.  Eric and I really enjoyed seeing London from the top of the Eye.  We could see forever and the skies were surprisingly clear the day we toured.

London Hilton Park Lane

Today we landed in jolly ol’ Great Britain and were greeted with cloudy skies and drizzle (as expected). Our overnight flight from Raleigh-Durham International to Heathrow International was long but uneventful. We checked in to our 5-star luxury accommodations at the Hilton Park Lane hotel and were assigned a wonderful room overlooking the famous Hyde Park of London. This officially kicks-off of wedding/honeymoon celebration and I am so excited to be here!

After sleeping for just a few hours we decided to go find a British pub for drinks and dinner. The skies were clear of rain and only a few clouds remained. We walked through the neighborhood to a highly recommended pub in Mayfair called ‘The Audley’. Eric ordered the quintessential “bangers and mash” and I had their highly touted 9-layer lasagna. Both of the dishes were very good and the atmosphere was just terrific. As we sat at our small table in the corner the bar filled up to capacity with Brits just leaving from work on a Friday evening.

The Audley is an immaculate late Victorian pub that fits perfectly into classy Mayfair. The exterior is clad in pretty pale pink terracotta tiles. Large arched windows with turned hardwood frames are decorated with boxes of flowers and tumbling ivy. Inside is just as lovely. It’s more like a gentlemen’s club than a pub. Dark wooden panels cover most of the walls. There are some intricate carvings and glazed tiles. Original crystal chandeliers hang beneath an ornate plaster ceiling. A long hardwood bar counter serves the two bar areas. This pub was constructed in 1882.