Sponsored walk from Albert Bridge to Tower Bridge – 6 miles
On the 20th May, the Lignum Vitae Club and friends took part in our annual sponsored walk. Over the next two years January 2018 to December 2019 we are supporting Ellen Pearl Outreach Children’s Charity which is providing a free Childline in Jamaica.
The Bridges
We started at Albert Bridge going through a small pedestrian gate into Battersea Park, passing the Peace Pagoda and Children’s Zoo. There was a poplar fun fair here until 1974.
The next bridge was Chelsea Bridge, the path we took branched off around the Battersea Power Station development, built in 1930 by the same man responsible for the iconic telephone box, it was closed in 1983. We missed Battersea Park Station and Battersea Cats and Dogs home which was opened in 1860.
We then walked past Grosvenor Bridge which was originally known as, and alternatively called Victoria Railway Bridge.
Nine Elms Lane is home to New Covent Garden Market and American Embassy just before Vauxhall Bridge. Here too is the headquarters of MI6. Across the river is Tate Britain. We pass the London Fire Brigade Headquarters and London River Fire Station.
Lambeth Palace is the London home of the Archbishop of Canterbury just past Lambeth Bridge. Beyond Lambeth Palace is St Thomas’ Hospital, Florence Nightingale Museum and most recently a statue to Mary Seacole.
Westminster Bridge leads you to County Hall, former home of the Greater London Council (GLC) which now has several attractions including Sea Life London Aquarium, London Dungeon, Shrek Adventure London, The London Eye and a hotel.
We walked under Hungerford Bridge and Golden Jubilee Bridges which has pedestrian bridges on either side were built and named in honour of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
Approaching Waterloo Bridge the next landmark is the Southbank Centre. Several restaurants and shops are located at Gabriel’s Wharf and The OXO Tower with wonderful views of the city.
Continue under Blackfriars Bridge and Blackfriars Railway Bridge to the Tate Modern you can cross the Millennium Bridge that leads to St Paul’s Cathedral. We also pass Shakespeare’s Globe.
Murals under Southwark Bridge features The Anchor Pub where Samuel Pepys watch London burning in the Great Fire of London in 1666. Charles Dickens stories were based around this area and London Bridge.
Just under the Cannon Street Railway Bridge was The Clink Prison Museum.
The next landmark is the replica of Sir Francis Drake’s galleon the Golden Hinde.
Borough Market is over 250 years and is just behind Southwark Cathedral on London Bridge. We pass Hay’s Galleria with its numerous shops.
From the river there are several shaped buildings from both South and North Bank: the “glass helmet” or “egg” building of the City Hall, “Walkie Talkie” building, the “Gherkin” and the “Shard”.
The warship HMS Belfast appears on the river just in front Tower Bridge and our destination.
We ended the walk with a meal at a local pub and a jug of PIMMS.
Thank you to everyone who supported me, the amount raised so far is £678.63.
