Nelson's Column to the Barbican - a London Photowalk

This will be a whirlwind walking tour through Central London, taking in Trafalgar Sq, Covent Garden, The Strand, Fleet St. Samuel Johnson's House, The Old Bailey, St Paul's, Monument, Leadenhall Market, the Cheesegrater, Walkietalkie, the Gherkin and more after which it is a 10 minute walk to the Barbican which has a lakeside bar - the Barbican Kitchen.

Chances to snap many landmarks, people, entertainers, historical sites as well as the most modern City of London architecture - what more could you ask in just one day - and to cap the lot, I'm sure there will be a beer or two, or coke, or Campari - whatever you want at the end........ Cost £1 meetup fee and extra if you want to go up the Monument or in Dr Johnson's House.

We'll meet up next to Nelson's Column and opposite Northumberland Avenue at 10.15. We'll head off at 10.30 sharp. We could start by exploring the square and get photos of the lions, fountains, Nelson and of course the fourth plinth!.

We'll than follow a path which I have plotted on googlemaps past St Martin in the Field towards Covent Garden, possibly taking in St Paul's Church and Inigo Jones' Garden before spending time mingling with the tourists, stallholders and street artists in and around Covent Garden. From here we will continue east and cut through theatreland, behind the Aldwych through legal land, the Strand, Fleet Street and its many passageways, alleys and hidden squares, including Gough Square where Samuel Johnson wrote the first dictionary. Don't forget to get a photo of Hodge! We'll then walk via the Old Bailey to Paternoster Square and St Paul's (cathedral this time), spending time in the surrounding gardens before setting off up Canon Street. We'll see the stone of Troy! We'll head for the Monument - a memorial to the Great Fire of London- the tallest stone column in the world at 202 feet and constructed in 1841. We can go up if you want to climb 311 steps.

From here it is not a long walk to visit Leadenhall Market, and to see the Walkie Talkie Building (20 Fenchurch St), the Cheesegrater (122 Leadenhall St) and we'll end up walking past the Lloyds Building, Willis Building to 30 St Mary Axe - which as veterans will know is the Gherkin!

Finally a walk to the Barbican to finish up with a cooling drink.
Footsore or not we then need to find a pub!!!

Tips:

1. Bring water, sunscreen(!) and hat and comfortable shoes - if it is raining a brolly and or waterproofs.
2. Bring whatever camera you have - all the above can be achieved with virtually any camera.
3. Bring an egg!

Cost £5 meetup fee, the Monument, train fares.

Map of rough route we'll take:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1SU7Qs6jUbGX04ApSf44jOh-FvMM&usp=sharing

When you RSVP please leave your phone number so that I can set up a WhatsApp group so we can keep in contact as it's likely some may lose the group or the way.