Churchill War Rooms & Parliament
I stayed up late last night but it was okay because I was able to sleep late too. I left the hotel at 10:00 this morning to make my way to the Churchill War Rooms for my tour at 11:00. The Tube was quick and I got there at about 10:30. I thought I'd try to go in early and it was no problem.
This was interesting to me because it was the war command post for Britain during WWII. I've read a lot of books set during the war and feel like I know quite a bit, so this really brings it to life for me.
We got to see switchboard rooms, telephone rooms, map rooms, conference rooms, and living quarters (including Churchill's bedroom).
We are so lucky to live in a time where our men and women don't have to go to war. I learned a lot about wartime operations and Churchill's life in general. I really enjoyed it.
I walked around the Westminster and Parliament area for a while after this. It was such a busy area and I noticed a lot of police. Protestors and supporters of Brexit had a thing today and it got loud. It never felt unsafe though. Here is a pic I took later of that area.
Big Ben is still bandaged up. He looked like this last year when I was here, as well.
I walked on the South Bank near the London Eye because I'd never been there. Lots of street performers and general busy-ness. I found a random place to get fish and chips for lunch.
I walked directly across from Parliament for a different view. This area was much less busy and more calm.
It was nearly time to walk back to Parliament for my tour. The foot traffic on the bridge was unreal; we were at a standstill for a while even. I think it was because of the protests.
Getting into Parliament was much like getting on a flight. Even though I already had a ticket, I had to wait about 20 minutes to get through security and it truly was like a TSA checkpoint. Understandably so.
The tour of Parliament was very interesting. I learned a lot about how the government works in the UK. I saw the House of Lords and the House of Commons and many different rooms and chambers for different purposes. You can't take pictures inside in most areas. Here is one photo. Everything is so ornate and each detail was a decision with a purpose.
I had a coffee in the café afterwards and just enjoyed being there for a bit. I made my way back to the Westminster station Tube to head back to Victoria, which is the area of my hotel.
I had a glass of wine during the hotel happy hour and some cheese and bread. I walked around near my hotel and got a Cornish pasty for dinner, which is a savory pastry filled with meat and veggies. They are popular here and I've never had one so wanted to try it. It was decent, but I probably wouldn't get one again. I much prefer a sausage roll!
Another busy day tomorrow in London! I feel like I've been in England for a month, but also can't believe I only have two days left!
This was interesting to me because it was the war command post for Britain during WWII. I've read a lot of books set during the war and feel like I know quite a bit, so this really brings it to life for me.
We got to see switchboard rooms, telephone rooms, map rooms, conference rooms, and living quarters (including Churchill's bedroom).
I walked around the Westminster and Parliament area for a while after this. It was such a busy area and I noticed a lot of police. Protestors and supporters of Brexit had a thing today and it got loud. It never felt unsafe though. Here is a pic I took later of that area.
Big Ben is still bandaged up. He looked like this last year when I was here, as well.
I walked on the South Bank near the London Eye because I'd never been there. Lots of street performers and general busy-ness. I found a random place to get fish and chips for lunch.
I walked directly across from Parliament for a different view. This area was much less busy and more calm.
It was nearly time to walk back to Parliament for my tour. The foot traffic on the bridge was unreal; we were at a standstill for a while even. I think it was because of the protests.
Getting into Parliament was much like getting on a flight. Even though I already had a ticket, I had to wait about 20 minutes to get through security and it truly was like a TSA checkpoint. Understandably so.
The tour of Parliament was very interesting. I learned a lot about how the government works in the UK. I saw the House of Lords and the House of Commons and many different rooms and chambers for different purposes. You can't take pictures inside in most areas. Here is one photo. Everything is so ornate and each detail was a decision with a purpose.
I had a coffee in the café afterwards and just enjoyed being there for a bit. I made my way back to the Westminster station Tube to head back to Victoria, which is the area of my hotel.
I had a glass of wine during the hotel happy hour and some cheese and bread. I walked around near my hotel and got a Cornish pasty for dinner, which is a savory pastry filled with meat and veggies. They are popular here and I've never had one so wanted to try it. It was decent, but I probably wouldn't get one again. I much prefer a sausage roll!
Another busy day tomorrow in London! I feel like I've been in England for a month, but also can't believe I only have two days left!