The Olympics are exciting, but if I were in London right now I would just be happy wondering around and taking in the sights of the city.
Walking is a very British thing to do so I have created a unique walk tailored to the city of London and my current favorite BBC show Sherlock.
Using the massive amount of resources at www.Sherlockology.com (a fabulous website to check out if you are a Sherlock fan!) I created a walk comprised of filming locations for the BBC hit TV show. Then I added in the famous Sherlock Holmes pub (I am ashamed I have never been!), and I am sure you could have a wonderful day’s walk in London.
I am in the process of planning a trip to London next year (third time), and I can’t wait to try this walk!
So this is how I would spend my day. You may think it geeky or dorky or what have you. I just know this would be my perfect day in London.
The Jet Lagged Vagabond Sherlock Walk
The walk starts at 187 North Gower Street, Camden, London NW1 2NJ.
Tube Stops: Euston or Euston Square
This is the filming location of 221B Baker Street – the home of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. John Watson and their loveable
I start the walk at Speedy’s with a full English fry up followed by some photos of the 221 B front door located to the left of Speedy’s. I better fill up this is an all day walk!
From Speedy’s the walk heads to St Bart’s Hospital West Smithfield London EC1A 7BE via Russell Square Gardens.
The journey is 2.1 miles and will take 45 minutes not counting any time to stop and take photographs.
Russell Square Gardens was used in the Sherlock episode A Study in Pink (Series 1, Episode 1). This is where John Watson runs into an old friend who in turn introduces Watson to Sherlock Holmes at his place of work St. Bart’s Hospital.
Side note: From Russell Square to St Bart’s the path will pass the Renaissance Chancery Court London at 252 High Holborn. This is the hotel where I stayed in 2004, and I absolutely love it. For a chain hotel it has a fantastic location with a convenient tube stop and the building is absolutely beautiful. I highly recommend! Note: I just read that the Chancery Court has changed ownership –shame!
Now on to St. Bart’s a real working research hospital that is featured in many episodes as the workplace of Sherlock Holmes and Molly Hooper. However St. Bart’s roof top plays an important part in The Reichenbach Fall (Series 2 Episode3). Beware of messenger bikes and cell phones that have the Staying Alive ringtone!
From St. Bart’s head south to my favorite church St. Paul’s Cathedral and keep going until you come to Sir Norman Foster’s Millennium Bridge. Cross the Thames to the South Bank and hope you get a text message from Sherlock as Irene Adler did.
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| Photo from Wikipedia |
Now we are South of the Thames. I absolutely love to walk along the South Bank and that walk has been in my mind for weeks as I think about London. For the purposes of the Sherlock walk the path will head west towards the Battersea Power Station.
Note: this part of the walk goes past: The Tate Modern, Blackfriars Bridge, views of St. Paul’s across the Thames, the Oxo Tower, the National Theatre, Jubilee Gardens, London Film Museum, the London Eye, Westminster Bridge, views of Parliament and Big Ben, and Lambeth Palace and Gardens all leading to Battersea Power station. Indulge as much as you like!
Don’t worry there are plenty of pubs, bars and restaurants along the way to refresh and soak up the views!
Battersea Power Station is a disused, well power station that has become an icon of London. In Sherlock it appears in A Scandal in Belgravia (Series 2, Episode 1).
Speaking of THAT scandal in Belgravia we now cross back over the Thames via Chelsea Bridge for a quick 30 minute walk towards 44 Eaton Square in Belgravia also known as Irene Adler’s home.
The walk left Speedy’s Café nearly three hours ago. I think a pint is in order.
Therefore the next destination is the Sherlock Holmes Pub located at 10 Northumberland Street St James London WC2N 5DB.
After a pint or two it’s off to dinner at Tapas Brindisa Restaurant 46 Broadwick Street Westminster London W1F 9
Tapas Brindisa is featured in Sherlock A Study in Pink (Series 1, Episode 1). The restaurant has changed its look from the time of filming, but the distinctive lights in the front window are still there.
And there you have it. A nice long walk taking in the sites of London and hopefully some great food and drink as well.
Remember to not just look but to also observe. You never know if and when you will run into Holmes and Watson!
Fun idea! I'll have to give it a try on my next trip to London! Hmmm... should I make you jealous by telling you I've been there 6-7 times? (I've lost count!) Advantages of living in Europe... much closer! My first visits I made coincide with business trips my dad had so I could share his hotel room, my later visits taking advantage that my sister lived just outside of London. So I've never had to pay for a hotel which is THE worst part of staying in London! ;o)
ReplyDeleteOh, and walking is a very EUROPEAN thing to do! :p
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ReplyDeleteWell , hello there! Thank you so much for leaving a comment and thanks for stopping by!
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