Savile Row to St Paul's

Since Savile Row was just a few blocks off of Piccadilly Circus, I figured I'd make a quick stop over to see the famous rooftop.

Monday, July 31st

Here, at 3 Savile Row, is where The Beatles gave their famous rooftop concert, their last live performance as a band.  Unfortunately, this site today is in the process of becoming an Abercrombie & Fitch store.

After Savile Row, I walked past Fortnum & Mason which I had visited the other day.  They are most notable for their tea among other things they cell.

After my quick stop around Piccadilly Circus, I headed off to my original destination: St Paul's Cathedral.  Like many other churches, there wasn't any photography allowed inside the church, so I took plenty of the outside.  It's almost as pretty as the inside!

Imperial War Museum

I spent most of Sunday at the Imperial War Museum in London.  It mostly chronicles the First and Second World Wars but also touches on some of the conflicts since WWII.  If you ever get the chance to visit London and fancy history or war history, I would highly recommend stopping off here.  Here are some of my favorite pictures of the museum and my visit there!

These were mostly the large exhibits but the photos of the more specific exhibits didn't come out as well.  Its a bit difficult to tell what things are in the picture so I just left them out.

A Day In The Life

I read the news today oh, boy 
Four thousand holes in Blackburn, Lancashire 
And though the holes were rather small 
They had to count them all 
Now they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall

I saw the Albert Hall and took some pictures simply because it is a landmark mentioned by The Beatles in their song "A Day in the Life."  Across from the Albert Hall is a gorgeous monument called The Albert Memorial.  The memorial was erected in memory of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, who died at the age of 42 from typhoid fever.   The memorial is at the entrance to Kensington Gardens which backs up to Buckingham Palace.  I took a peek at the park map and decided to have a wander about. 

On my search for the Peter Pan statue I came across the Italian Gardens at the other end of the park from The Albert Memorial.  It was really pretty and many people were sitting about picnicking. 

Peter Pan Statue

Science Museum & Natural History Museum

On Saturday, I went back to the Science Museum to do it justice.  The first time I went, I wasn't able to see it all since we had arranged to meet some people to buy our train tickets to The Making of Harry Potter.  I was glad I chose to go back, seeing as the museum is huge and there are so many exhibits to visit.

Here is a picture from the exhibit all about the exploration of space.

The main hall had all kinds of modes of transportation, from this airplane to trains to cars.

Here's a model, like the one created by Watson & Crick, demonstrating the structure of DNA.  Although the model is not the complete original one, it contains pieces of the original! As a genetics major, this was definitely a nerd highlight.

There was an entire other floor that had a large exhibit on the history and development of flight.  

Next I set off to the Natural History Museum.  This was the sight as you first entered the museum.

Of course as a Natural History Museum, there were several exhibits on rocks and the Earth, etc.

I thought this guy was funny looking and a cheeky way to represent the Sun's effects on the Earth.

And of course, my favorite part of natural history museums ... the dead animal zoo!

But the highlight of my visit to the Natural History Museum was an exhibit called Animals Inside Out.  It was similar to the Body Worlds exhibit that has traveled the country but was done with animals.  There was no photography allowed in the exhibit but this camel was in the main entrance to the museum, so I snapped a quick pic.

Paddington Bear

At the Paddington Rail Station there is a statue of Paddington Bear, since he was named after that station.  It is at this station that the Brown family first finds the bear in the classic children's stories. Since, it was on the way home I thought I'd stop off and see it.  There was also a surprise visit by another Paddington Bear.

Trafalgar Square

So I'm not sure if I already posted about Trafalgar Square, but I finally went back and got proper pictures of it on Friday after Wellington Arch.  Since it was the day of the Opening Ceremonies there was a huge countdown in the square!

Wellington Arch

I know I haven't updated in a while but I was limited on the amount of internet I could use as well as trying to use my time to sight see.  So I will now try to catch you all up on what I've been doing since I saw Changing the Guard on Friday morning.

After the ceremony at Buckingham Palace, I walked to Wellington Arch, which is just across from Hyde Park.  It was relocated to its present position in 1882-3.  For a small entrance fee, I was able to climb up to the top of the arch (this time by using a lift, thank heavens there weren't more stairs).  At the top there was an exhibit about the seaside resort of Blackpool and the history of the town.  There was various photographs of the opera houses and attractions of Blackpool as well as some old posters and programs.  There was a large model of Blackpool Tower there as well.

After the exhibit, I went through the doors and entered onto the observation part of Wellington Arch.  I could see out over Hyde Park and the surrounding area.  It was quite a nice view, but pretty windy.