July 27 - Hyde Park Corner and the Royal Parks

I was up early this morning to go for a walk around Kensington and Hyde Park before the city got too busy. Although there were lots of people out jogging, there weren't too many cars so it was blissfully quiet. Once the rest of the family had woken up we went for breakfast at Garfunkel's, a rather strange restaurant across the road from the hotel, before heading out to explore the city.

Our first stop was Wellington Arch, which is located right in the middle of Hyde Park Corner. It was built around 1830 to commemorate the military successes of the Duke of Wellington and stands at what was then the western edge of London. Inside are several exhibits about the arch and surrounding area and an observation platform from which you get a nice view of Hyde Park.

Next, we crossed the road to Apsley House, purchased by Wellington in 1817. Although part of it is still lived in by the current Duke, the main rooms have been converted into a museum dedicated to his life and his superb art collection.

We then continued on into Hyde Park for hot dogs and a walk along Rotten Row and The Serpentine, seen here.
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The path ended at the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, which looks like (and is clearly treated as) a giant splash pad.

Once we'd exited the park we took the bus back along Kensington Gore towards Buckingham Palace, where we joined the throngs of people taking pictures through the fence and climbing the Victoria Memorial. While it was far too busy, it's something everyone who visits the capital should see.

We left the crowds behind and walked down The Mall and through St. James's Park, another lovely green space with a beautiful lake. The London Eye is visible in the background in this picture.

At the end of The Mall is the Admiralty Arch, and my only question is how you get one of these offices.

We ended our first day of sightseeing in Trafalgar Square, which was mostly blocked off for a pre-Olympics celebration, but that didn't make Nelson's Column or St. Martin's-in-the-Fields any less impressive. On our way back to the hotel we stopped in Leicester Square, site of the Harry Potter premieres; as many of the guidebooks put it, the square is "aesthetically challenged".

After a delicious Italian meal, Mom and I went to the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms, the world's largest classical music festival and a longstanding British tradition. We were treated to the BBC National Orchestra of Wales performing, among other things, Stravinsky's Firebird. It was absolutely wonderful, and probably the highlight of my trip.

We had a fabulous first day in London, and although we're exhausted, we can't wait for tomorrow to see more!

GWV