Tower of London - The Monument - London Bridge & Tower Bridge - Hays Galleria - The London Dungeon - Gallery Different - The Old Operating Theatre

Another part of the Tower worth visiting is Tower Green, which is the most exciting aspect of the tour. Some very famous prisoners were held in the Bloody Tower, including Sir Walter Raleigh. On the scaffold site Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, two of Henry VIII's wives, were beheaded. Also included on the tour is the visual splendour of the Medieval Palace, as well as the West Gate, where you can get an idea of how the Tower was protected when attacked. Another gruesome aspect of the tour is Water Lane, which is the site of Traitor's Gate, where many famous prisoners entered the Tower of London for the last time before they were executed.

The Tower of London is open throughout the year. There is an admission charge. For details of prices, opening times and information, phone the info line on 0870 756 6060. Check out www.hrp.org.uk for more information.
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The Monument
The Great Fire of London started in Pudding Lane on 2nd September 1666 and raged for 5 days. It destroyed 13,200 houses, 44 livery company halls and nearly 90 parish churches. Only 75 acres of the City were left untouched.

The Monument, designed by Sir Christopher Wren to commemorate the Great Fire of London and celebrate the re-building of the City was completed in 1677 after 6 years of construction. It has been welcoming visitors for over 300 years. It is 202ft tall, the exact distance from the baker's house where the fire began in Pudding Lane.

Today, visitors climb 311 steps to the top of this historic landmark to take in spectacular views of London. As recognition of such achievement each visitor to the Monument receives a certificate as proof of their athletic abilities!

Opening hours are: Monday to Sunday 10.00am - 6.00pm (last admission 5.40pm). Admission costs £1.50 for adults and 50p for children.
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London Bridge & Tower Bridge
I arrived by train(London Bridge Station), nipped down London Bridge Street, passed the hotel of the same name turning right and there it was - the famous bridge that features in many tributes to London. But as a bridge it is uninspiring. The one that inspires so many is actually opposite, about 800 yards due east, and that of course is the magnificent Victorian Tower Bridge whose mechanisms still function perfectly.

Stand however on London Bridge looking east and you take in a collection of London’s scenes ranging from the Tower of London’s Tudor grimness, the contrasting architecture of Billingsgate’s old fish market and the Customs House, to the elegantly refurbished tea and coffee wharves along the south Bank between Tower Bridge and London Bridge Pier. Turning west upstream to Blackfriars you can glimpse St Pauls over to the North West and the occasional glisten of the space pods attached London’s magnificent Eye. Smell the river and the traffic, then cast your minds back a thousand years to the time of salmon fishers, the miserly ferry man and his daughter the saintly Marie Overie. And also the poor fellow who shipped every last stone of the bridge he had purchased over to Lake Havasu in 1973 in the belief he had bought Tower Bridge.

I was incredibly lucky to see Tower Bridge raised, for a passing sail ship full of happy travellers en route to some lower reaches of the Thames, then caught a glimpse of an Edwardian paddle steamer complete with jazz band. But the best find of all was the sight of three grown men, apparently in sound mind, digging for treasure in the mud and slime, just to the north side of the bridge at low tide. They were to far away to hear any questions about why they were digging etc. but the notion of gold in the city and in the river is just too good to rule out.
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Hays Galleria
This is covered in the Shopping section but admirers of engine house cathedrals or just modern shopping malls will want to see this and no one should miss the fascinating Nautilus construction (a real Heath Robinson affair).

Gallery Different
Gallery Different is a contemporary art gallery exhibiting gallery artists and featuring the prinicpal and internationally renowned artist David Begbie ARBS. His beautiful figurative sculptures in steelmesh with their shadow projections have attracted the notice of architects and designers as well as photographers, filmmakers, the theatre and dance world, writers, journalists and critics.

The Gallery administrates for the artist world-wide and is the London base for an international business. New work destined for international exhibitions can often be seen here first. All exhibited work is available to purchase with a price range from £500 to £10,000, however visitors are welcome to view the exhibition without obligation, and information is readily available for students.

Special events, including joint events with other galleries, are regularly staged throughout the year.

Opening hours:
Tuesday ­ Friday 10am to 6pm
Saturday & Sunday 12 noon to 6pm

Contact details:
Karina Phillips
Gallery Different
45 Shad Thames
London SE1 2NJ


Tel: 020 7357 8909
Fax: 020 7403 9050
E-mail: different@davidbegbie.com
Website: www.davidbegbie.com

The Old Operating Theatre
9A St. Thomas Street
London
SE1 9RY

Tel: 020 8806 3742