Out and About

Having lived in London nearly 30 years, it always astonishes me how little I use anything other than the Northern Line. Each Tube line has it’s own feel, every bit as much as each neighbourhood has it’s own vibe. I’ve lived (briefly) south and north, but the oldest dirtiest Tube line is the one that feels mine.

Charing Cross, Northern Line & Overland Railway StationCharing Cross

Monument Station
Embankment Station

Charing Cross, Northern Line

Escalators, Charing Cross  London Bridge Tube Station London Bridge Tube Station

Monument Tube
Embankment Tube
Embankment
Embankment
Escalator Embankment Tube
Escalator Embankment Tube
Northern Line, Londom
Northern Line, Londom
Northern Line - Mind the Gap
Northern Line – Mind the Gap
Northern Line
Northern Line
Northern Line
Northern Line
Northern Line
Northern Line
Northern Line
Northern Line
Northern Line
Northern Line
Northern Line - each man an island
Northern Line – each man an island
Northern Line - reflections
Northern Line – reflections
Northern Line - Reflections 2
Northern Line – Reflections 2
Northern Line  - relfections - 3
Northern Line – relfections – 3
View to London Bridge
View to London Bridge
View to London Bridge
View to London Bridge
View to King William Street, City of London
View to King William Street, City of London
View to King William Street City of London
View to King William Street City of London

Getting about on public transport is incredibly easy, Trains, both undergound and overground run frequently as do the many buses. We have a car for when we drive out to see relatives and are feeling especially lazy visiting friends but for visitors a car will be a total liability.

Perhaps the biggest surprise for me out and about was the convenience of the commuter boats that chug up and down the Thames from Putney to Greenwich.

I wanted to sail past the Houses of Parliament so started out at Vauxhall, changed over at Embankment to a second boat that ran up to Greenwich. Changing over at North Greewich is simple and making my way back down to Embankment to link back up with the Northern Line.

DSC_0235One of the best thing about the boat routes, is how many tourist attractions lie along the journey. For anyone with kids, visiting the Maritime Museum and Cutty Sark at Greenwich is a great start (or end) to the journey. Pulling into the wharf at Tower Bridge to see the Tower of London is an amazing experience, followed by stops at Tate Modern (and also the Globe Theatre the re-created Elizabethan theatre created by Sam Wannamaker) and the London Eye for the best views across London.

National Gallery, Trafalger Square DSC_0035 Trafalger Square Nelson's Column, Trafalger Square Trafalger Square DSC_0039 Trafalger Square Nelson's Column, Trafalger SquareTrafalger Square Views

Most of the major tourist sites are easily accessible. If practical, walking the streets is one of the best ways to get a feel for the place.

You should perhaps be aware that CCTV is everywhere in London and you will be snapped many times going about your everyday business. CCTV everywhere

St Mary le Strand, outside Somerset House
St Mary le Strand, outside Somerset House
View to Somerset House along the Strand, London
View to Somerset House along the Strand, London

Arcade

Around Piccadilly
Around Piccadilly
Old Bond Street
Old Bond Street
Old Bond Street
Old Bond Street
Arcade
Arcade

Arcade

Old Bond Street
Old Bond Street
Old Bond Street
Old Bond Street
Old Bond Street
Old Bond Street
Old Bond Street
Old Bond Street
Burlington Arcade
Burlington Arcade
India Place Detail, Off the Strand
India Place Detail, Off the Strand
India Place Detail, Off the Strand
India Place Detail, Off the Strand