Free London Walk Guide - Buckingham Palace to Westminster Cathedral - Walk 3.
This walk begins by the walls of Buckingham Palace, passes 18th-century London in Queen Anne's Gate, visits hidden corners and gems before reaching Westminster Cathedral.
Distance 2.2 miles (3.6 km)
Start of walk: Victoria Underground Station - 191 Victoria Street Westminster, London SW1E5
Exit Victoria Station and turn left down Buckingham Palace Road.Continue northwards along the left-hand side of Buckingham Palace Road for about 5 Min's until you reach the entrance of The Royal Mews, at Buckingham Gate Westminster, London,SW1E5
The Royal Mews
The Royal Mews, designed by John Nash, completed in 1825, form part of Buckingham Palace Gardens. They house the impressive Gold State Coach used for Coronations as well as numerous carriages used for State and Royal occasions, State Visits, Weddings and the State Opening of Parliament.
This a a chance to see the Gold State Coach at close quarters; it is only used for Coronations and very special landmark occasions in the monarch's life - it was last used during The Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002 to carry Her Majesty and Prince Philip to the Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral.
For most of the year the mews are home to the Cleveland Bays and the Windsor greys, which by tradition always draw the carriage in which The Queen is travelling. The working horses play an important role in The Queen's official and ceremonial duties. Unfortunately, the horses are not always on view; as there will be times when they on ceremonial duty or undergoing training. A visit here is a must for all lovers of royal ceremonial and horses.
The Queen's Gallery (The Queen has one of the greatest private art collections in the world including a rare collection of Leonardo da Vinci drawings) is nearby and hosts a programme of changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection and can be visited by turning left into Buckingham Gate.
From the front of Buckingham Palace head east towards Spur Road then bear right onto Spur Road - walk 150 metres and then turn left to enter Birdcage Walk. The origin of the name of Birdcage Walk has been disputed. It has been derived from "boccage," meaning avenue; another account says it was from the bird-cages of the King's Royal Menagerie and Aviary which were located there in the reign of King James I and King Charles II.
Wellington Barracks
The barracks were built in 1833 and are situated about 300 yards from Buckingham Palace between Birdcage Walk and Petty France. Wellington.Barracks serve as the regimental headquarters of the Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards.
The Guards Museum houses a collection of uniforms, colours and artifacts spanning over 300 years of history, relating to the five regiments of Foot Guards namely Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards. Along with the two regiments of Household Cavalry they make up Her Majesty's Household Division.
It's not easy to spot the difference between the full dress uniforms of the five Regiments of Foot Guards because they look very similar. All the Guardsmen wear the black bearskin, the scarlet tunic, dark blue trousers with a red stripe down the seam of the leg and a white leather belt.
How to spot the different regiments of The Queen's Guard: each regiment wears a different shoulder badge. The Grenadier wears the Royal Cypher, Coldstream Guards; the Rose, Scots Guards; the Thistle, Irish Guards; the St. Patrick Star, Welsh Guards; the Leek.
Useful tip: to see the highlights of the Changing the Guard Ceremony; time your walk to reach Wellington Barracks by 11.15 am.The ceremony is watched by thousands of people from outside the railings of Buckingham Palace but it can be very difficult to get a good view, however early you arrive.
From the area around Wellington Barracks; you will have an excellent view of the New Guard waiting to depart and relieve the Old Guard at Buckingham Palace. At approximately 11.25, the Guards, accompanied by their regimental band leave the barracks and march to the palace. If you wish you can then follow them and watch the change-over ceremony on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, before re-joining your walk at Wellington Barracks.
Take the next right into Queen Anne's Gate and follow it round to the left.
Queen Anne's Gate
Queen Anne's Gate has been home to many famous people from British history and is an exclusive residential area of Westminster between Parliament Square and St James's Park. The statue of Queen Anne stands outside number 13.Legend has it that the street is haunted by the ghost of Queen Anne, who, it is claimed, walks three times around the street on the night of 1 August, the anniversary of Queen Anne's death.
Poor Queen Anne had eighteen pregnancies in sixteen years and produced only five living children, the longest-lived was the little Duke of Gloucester, who got over-excited dancing on his eleventh birthday and died as a result.
Queen Anne's health was not helped by her addiction to brandy and by the time of her death, aged forty-nine in 1714, she was so fat that it is clamed her very large coffin was almost square.
On the corner of Queen Anne's Gate and Dartmouth Street, was once a hiring point for sedan chairs, when nearby Cockpit Steps was still the site of the Royal Cockpit.
Take the next right into Carteret St. At the end of the street; cross the road into Broadway, London SW1H.
Broadway
Number 55 Broadway is a notable building, designed by Charles Holden and built between 1927-1929. It was built as a new headquarters building for the (London Electric Railway), the main forerunner of the London Underground.The art deco building was considered revolutionary for its day and the sculptures attached to the facade - Jacob Epstein's Day and Night drew great criticism from London's public.
Head south on Broadway toward Caxton St (85 ft). Turn right into Caxton St and walk on the right-hand side as far as Caxton Hall.
Caxton Hall
Caxton Hall featured regularly in all the newspapers and society magazines up until 1977 because many famous London people and celebrities married in this famous London Registry office, attracting large crowds and lots of media coverage. Lord Spencer (Princess Diana's father) and Lady Dartmouth were married at Caxton Hall, London, on 14 July 1976. Some of the others who tied the knot there include: Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, Roger Moore, Diana Dors and Beatle -Ringo.For non-church weddings; Caxton Hall was the most fashionable choice for the famous names in London.
Cross to the other side of Caxton Street and walk to the end where you will find the Blewcoat School.
The Blewcoat School
This charity school was established in 1688 by William Greene. Above the door there is a charming painted lead figure of a charity boy - the figure was painted when it was first erected in the mid-eighteenth century. The present building dates from 1709 and belongs to the National Trust.
By the nearside of the school turn left into Brewer's Green then join Buckingham Gate. Cross Victoria Street into Artillery Row. Take the next left into Greycoat Place to reach the Greycoat Hospital.
The Greycoat Hospital
The school was founded in 1698 as a charity school and was initially a day school for 50 boys. In 1701, a boarding school was established and it became a mixed school, with both boys and girls attending. The school sought to provide the poor of the parish with an education, so that they could become "loyal and useful workers and solid Christians". The painted, wooden figures of the Greycoat boy and girl over the door are thought to date from the early 18th century.
Cross the road and turn left. Turn right onto Horseferry Rd and then take the second right and enter Maunsel St, London SW1P.
Maunsel St
Maunsel Street is a charming area of Westminster and is lined with delightful 19th-century cottages, some of which display attractive window box-gardens.
Turn right at the end of Maunsel to arrive at Vincent Square.
Vincent Square
Vincent Square is a large grass-covered square in Westminster, London and is owned by Westminster School, the leading British Public school in London. The fees are around 20,000 British pounds, for a day student!
Although, the elite school has not produced a prime minister since the 19th century it has some famous past pupils who include: architect Christopher Wren, philosopher John Locke, author A.A. Milne of Winnie the Pooh fame, actor John Gielgud, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, Shane MacGowan (yes, that Shane MacGowan!), Louis Theroux, Actress Helena Bonham Carter, Gavin Rossdale, lead singer of the rock band Bush and husband of Gwen Stefani and Nick Clegg.
Mika also attended Westminster School and the Royal College of Music. He won four gongs at the World Music Awards in 2007 and a BRIT Award in 2008.
Westminster School uses Vincent Square for their playing fields. The square is not far from Tothill Fields (which was a former plague pit).
At the end of the square cross Rochester Row and continue onto Emery Hill St. Take the second left into Francis Street. Then take the first right into Ambrosden Avenue and walk towards Westminster Cathedral at the end of the street.
Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral is London's foremost Roman Catholic church. It is a striking building of red-and-white brick and stone in a Italian Byzantine-style, built between 1895 and 1903 on the site of a prison.
The nave is the widest in England and the interior is sumptuously decorated. Eight marble columns support a huge canopy over the high altar. The friezes of the fourteen Stations of the Cross, by the sculptor Eric Gill, are world-renowned. There is an elevator to the top of the 82m (269-ft.) bell tower with panoramic views of Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and St Paul's Cathedral.
Turn left into Victoria Street and return to Victoria Underground Station at: 191 Victoria Street Westminster, London SW1E 5.
End of Walk - hope you have enjoyed it! If you would like to try another London Walk, please see the link to Walks on the top of the page
