Some of the more popular ones are available by ballot e.g. Downing Street, but there are many other interesting ones that are available to all.
We went to four buildings – one of which was Horseguards, the former Headquarters of the Commander in Chief of the British Army (until 1904) but still the home of all troops in the London District and, more famously, the Household Cavalry.
For those that don’t know, the Household Cavalry is made up of two regiments – The Life Guards and the Blues and Royal – and along with the five Guards foot regiments, these seven make up the Queens bodyguard – the Household Division - septem juncta in uno (Seven joined in one) as per the badge.
The main office used by The Duke of Wellington during his two terms as CinC is still in use today – as is the desk he used (although the computer is probably not original!!). There is a letter from Florence Nightingale – written to the CinC during the Crimean War - mounted on the wall and a picture of how the room looked in the Iron Duke’s time. Apart from the desk being in the centre of the room, there is little difference. Incredible history. And my little warspite got to dress up as a Life Guard too!
We then went to the Banqueting House, the only surviving part of the Palace of Whitehall (the main residence of English kings and queens) that was destroyed in a fire at the end of the 17th Century.
I only went to look at it because it was the place at which Charles I was beheaded in 1649 and there was reference to this on one of the walls. As we were there we decided to go inside… and I am glad we did! Beautiful, magnificent…..words don’t begin to describe the ceiling alone.
Walking along Whitehall were some impressive WWII monuments too.
Below are some pictures:
Horse Guards Parade (where the Queen celebrates her official birthday in Trooping the Colour)
Horse Guards entrance leading onto Whitehall. Why does changing of the guard take place here? Its actually the official entrance to Buckingham Palace!
The clock tower. Until Big Ben arrived this clock was where London set its time against. The black mark where the 2pm is is said to represent the time that Charles I was executed.
