A Walk Along the Thames

Continuing fun and Free things to do in London-

There's no better way to spend the day or at least part of it than walking along the South Bank. Pick any number of Tube exits (London Bridge, Southwark) and you have a golden opportunity to people watch and see some pretty fantastic views.

Start down by Parliament and Big Ben - on the North side of the river - looking across the way you'll see the London Eye. Cross the bridge for a better view of Big Ben and Parliament. There's a path that resides right next to the river, just follow along it.

Head towards the London Eye, you'll pass the Aquarium along the way - I've never been in, it's too expensive and I can see fish back home.

The London Eye as quickly become part of the London landscape. Again, I've never had the opportunity to ride on it, I hear the best times are in the evening with the sun setting. The price is a little much for this poor traveler right now - one of these days I'll try it.

Keep walking up the river, past the Carousel and if its a sunny day, you'll come to the out door book shop under the bridge. It's fun to peruse the volumes available.

Also keep an eye out for street performers and street artists. Talented people sing and dance and re-create the work of Michael Angelo and Donatello on the pavement. Also on the areas with sand, sand sculptors work their magic and create mermaids and castles.

There are plenty of shops to go into and places to grab something to eat if your hungry. There's nothing like some gelato while you walk along the river. Farther down artists have taken over a small area and set up shops (expensive!). Keep walking and you'll come to an area that's still under construction, but just follow the detour path (and the crowd) and it will guide you around and back to the next section of the South Bank walk.

The detour will drop you off at the Tate Modern (also FREE!). There's a fantastic pub out on the waterfront if you want to pause for a little bit. Next up is the Globe Theater, where you can find groundling tickets for five pounds to watch a Shakespearean play. Or if they're sold out, you can always wait in line to see if they have any last minute seats that open up. I'm sorry to have missed their production of Anne Boleyn which is debuting this August! Macbeth was on when I was there, and I've sat through that show one too many times. The Globe also offers tours of the theater.

And last for our trip along the South Bank, cross the Millennium Bridge towards St. Paul's - great photographic opportunities await! If you're not too exhausted, stop inside the cathedral and take a tour or just wander around.

Next up on London . . . (no we're not done yet!) . . . Kensington Palace . . . there's a reason it gets its own entry . . .