On Wednesday 22 January 2025, our Monthly Meeting had a ‘virtual’ guided tour of Westminster and St James from Danny Hockman, a Blue Badge Tourist Guide for London.
Danny had an abundance of photographs, which turned out to be essential given the number of sites to be seen between the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St James’s Park and St James’s Palace. There was even time for refreshment on the route courtesy of the many warrant holding suppliers to be found in the street named after the palace!
After a quick tour of the Houses of Parliament, the Elizabeth Clock Tower and Westminster Hall, we had a quick look at Oliver Cromwell and Richard I before we headed into Parliament Square and viewed the statues there. We saw Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Ghandi, Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Robert Peel, Millicent Garrett Fawcett, David Lloyd George and Abraham Lincoln.
After such an array of distinguished people, we had a quick break for the Westminster School, and the Central Hall Westminster. We then toured Westminster Abbey where kings and queens are buried. Of particular interest was the tomb of St Edward the Confessor who established the abbey in 960, but also buried there are Henry III, Edward I, Richard II, Henry V and Henry VII, James I, Charles II, William III, Edward VI and George II. Queens buried there include Elizabeth I, Mary I, Mary Queen of Scots, Ann of Cleves, Anne, Mary II and Caroline.
The Abbey is home to the Order of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, and as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior there is also the RAF Chapel. Add to that the scientists buried there (including Sir Isaac Newton) and the poets honour in Poets corner, there is plenty to see. There is also the High Altar, the Choir and the Coronation Chair (although the Stone of Scone has been returned to the Scots after a coronation now), and much more besides. Particularly impressive is the English Perpendicular Gothic ceiling, and the 34 banners of the members of the Order of the Bath.
After so much pageantry, a breath of fresh air was in order, and so we had a virtual tour of St James’s Park with its trees, lakes and pelicans, which was originally laid out by John Nash. Many of the trees are originals from his work. We then had a quick look at Buckingham Palace and the Victoria Memorial, before being shown how the palace had changed shape over the years.
We were now close the St James’s Palace where the ascent to the throne of King Charles III was proclaimed, and a quick view of Clarence House, where the King lives whilst Buckingham Palace is undergoing works, Lancaster House, and the home of the Spencer Family in London.
Exhausted, we were led virtually into St James Street to see Berry Bros. and Rudd Ltd, the wine merchants holding a Royal Warrant, Lock & Co who invented the Bowler Hat, Lobb for footwear and Truefitt & Hill for a haircut, Hancocks for medals, Harris & Co perfumiers and Beretta for guns and hunting cloths.
By then, we were truly exhausted, but we had all seen something new no matter how long we have lived in London!