The London Sites, part 3: the Center of Town

This is the third part about the London Sites, don't forget to check out Part 1: City Walk and Part 2: A Bit of Culture. Ofcourse my parents wanted to see some of London's most famous landmarks. And so today our trip takes up to the center of London.

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The Center of Town
Trafalgar Square, The National Gallery and Covent Garden

For this trip we took the train to Charing Cross station in Central London. Central being te correct word here as the station lies very close to the Offical Centre Of London. Just outside the station you will find a small tower. It's very ornate and gotic looking. This is one of Eleanor's Crosses, or rather it's a Victorian Replica. After her death in 1290 King Edward mourned his wife, Queen Eleanor by placing a Cross at every location her funeral procession stopped. They paused twelf times at: Lincoln, Grantham, Stamford, Geddington, Hardingstone, Stony Stratford, Woburn, Dunstable, St. Albans, Waltham, Cheapside (West Cheap) and Charing Cross. The original was placed on what now is called Trafalgar Square, but the Victorians replaced the cross and moved it to the entrance of Charing Cross station. All the measurements to other locations are done from this Center Of London point.

When you turn left you will find yourself on Trafalgar Square. Named after the famous Battle of Trafalgar in which Nelson lost his life but gained eternal fame. You can see him looking over London from the top of his column. Also not to be missed are the fountains sparkling in the sun. They are fantastic and every grand city should have some in my opinion. Click here for a Panoramic view of Trafalgar Square!

London highlights

My parents and I then went to the National Gallery. Here we had time only for a brief visit, but saw many masterpieces. From Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt, Da Vinci... the list is endless. however there is so much too see, and we just wandered in. Not a good plan as we missed so much. So do yourself a favour. Before you go there look at the NG website and decide in advance what you want to see. It is soooo big that you will have to make choices. But hey look at the bright side: enough to come back for!

Finally a short walk along the Strand until you see signs telling you to go left, will get you to Covent Garden. If you have seen the film My Fair Lady you will know that this used to be a Market. A proper market, at one point the most important in England, where fruit and vegetables where sold. The market was moved to a more convenient location in modern times where lorries could get to it and Covent Garden became a shopping area. It's a very nice place to visit. There is the Jubilee Market to one side with great finds, the transport musem and the shops in the center. There are street entertainers and market stalls with handmade gift items. Great to get presents for the folks back home.

From here you may continue your walk to other famous sites like Leicester Square, Picadilly Circus and Oxford street. In the fourth and last part of The London Sites we will visit Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and we'll taste some wine at Vinopolis.