London Fog - day 2
Recently, Kim and I cruised on the Celebrity Apex out of Southampton, but not before making mushy peas out of London. We came, we ate, we conquered, then we ate some more.
This is Day 2, don’t forget to check out Day 1.
If you’re coming in for the day from the port in Southampton, after a short walk to Southampton Central, you’re going to board the Southwestern Railway to London Waterloo Station, a bustling hub of activity and a gateway to the heart of the city. There are 59 trains each day that travel the 70 miles (112 km) from Southampton to London. The journey, which takes between 90 minutes and 2 hours, costs approx. £60.
If you’re staying in London > Start at Buckingham Palace
This is how we do it
10:00am - 11:30am Buckingham Palace
10:45am Changing of the Guard
12:00pm - 2:00pm Westminster Abbey
1:00pm - 1:45pm Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Gallery
1:45pm - 2:00pm Crypt
2:00pm - 2:30pm Big Ben
3:00pm - 3:30pm Bridge Arch Photo
4:00pm - 5:00pm London Eye
Buckingham Palace 10am - 11am
We begin at Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British monarch. Enjoy a tour, catch the changing of the guard, or simply snap some quick pics from the gates. Changing of the guard happens at 10:45am, weather permitting. Get there early to secure a good spot by the gates.
Things to consider:
It gets extremely crowded very early, so be prepared.
London weather doesn’t always cooperate, so expect rain 90% of the time, all the time.
If it does rain, the Changing of the Guard will be cancelled, as we learned this last time.Have a Plan B in motion, just in case.
Westminster Abbey
12pm - 2pm
Next, the towering spires of Westminster Abbey await, offering a glimpse into centuries of royal ceremonies and historic events. We got here a bit earlier, but again had to seek shelter from the rain in a nearby coffee shop as tickets scan 15 minutes before timed entry.
Be sure to visit the Queens Diamond Jubilee Gallery.
It costs £5 extra, and there is no pictures/video allowed, but it’s totally worth it. Here you’ll get to see really old manuscripts (from the 1300’s), replicas of crowns, swords, plus a great view of inside the abbey from one of the Juliet balconies.
The diagonal wooden beams were added in 1699 by Christopher Ren. You can thank him when you smack your head on one of them.
Big Ben
3pm - 3:30pm
Nearby, we arrive at Big Ben, whose chimes resonate through the streets of Westminster.
Written under the clock are the latin words DOMINE SALVAM FAC REGINAM NOSTRAM VICTORIAM PRIMAM, meaning "O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First".
In order to visit Big Ben, it must be done with an organized tour.
Unless you manage to book one, time permitting, it’s nice to walk simply walk around Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, giving you different vantage points, making for a diverse range of pictures.
Bridge Arch Photo
4pm - 4:30pm
Crossing Westmister Bridge, we’re greeted by the iconic Bridge Arch Photo, where we capture Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament through the arches of Westminster Bridge.
This spot, located at the bridge's southern end near the London Eye, is a favorite among photographers for its unique and iconic perspective of the city's skyline. As a result, you may come across professional shoots while trying to snap a pic or two, so be prepared to exercise your patience.
London Eye
4:30pm - 5pm
Opening in 2000 to celebrate the millennium, the London Eye is one of the world's tallest observation wheels.
At 135 meters, experience stunning panoramic views of iconic landmarks like Big Ben and St. Paul's Cathedral from one of it's 32 glass capsules.
Did you know?
Each capsule represents a London borough.
Having already visited St. Paul’s Cathedral, with High Tea reservations at the Oblix (at the Shard) on the last day, our panoramic views quota was achieved, so we opted not to go for a ride this time.
