Central London: The Basics

How do you cover Central London in 3 hours?  The key would be to focus on what you wanted badly to see. In my case, since I have seen most of the sites during my previous visits, I was more interested in seeing the inside of the National Gallery. We decided on the said museum, and the different sights close to it.

When in London...

After our graduation ceremonies, we had only 3 hours to see Central London.  Together with my colleagues from our other Asian office, we had a quick run to Central London.  We took the underground train from Heathrow Airport to Leicester Square and reached Central London after an hour train ride. Good thing it was summer time, so the sun was still up, and the National Gallery was open until 9PM.  

On the way to Trafalfar Square.

We walked towards Trafalgar Square, where the National Gallery is.  We passed by St. Martin-in-the-Fields church, which is the royal parish church which is well known for its orchestra. We missed their free noon time concert but we had the chance to watch their rehearsal for the evening performance, which was lovely.

With St. Martin-in-the-Fields church in the background.

From the St. Martin-in-the-Fields, we crossed the street to the Trafalgar Square where the Nelson’s Column is. Nelson's Column commemorates one of England’s heroes.  There are also other statues including the statue of George IV.

The National Gallery is in Trafalgar Square, a very huge museum housing 2,300 or so works of art. It is free of charge. The museum is divided into different sections based on the century the work was created.  The 13th to 15th century paintings are mostly of religious theme, and many are remnants of altars of old churches. The collection include works of Botticelli and Bellini. The 16th century collection include works of Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael and the themes are mostly religious or mythology.  The 17th century paintings are the works of Claude and Rembrandt among others, and themes include religion, landscape and everyday life. The 18th to early 20th century paintings include works of Monet and Van Gogh and many are mostly about nature. Personally, I would advise visitors not to see the entire collection in one visit.  Where possible, spend time only on one or two sections per visit, in order to appreciate them properly. 

With a Monet work

After the National Gallery, we headed to the Covent Garden Market, which offers various gifts, crafts and other goods.  Across the Covent Garden Market is the St. Paul’s Cathedral, where we were to meet another colleague. St. Paul’s contain the grave of some 18th and 19th century actors.  In between the church and the market is a plaza with street performers.  It is definitely not a good meet-up place because it is way too crowded.  

A different kind of "attraction"

When we finally found our colleague in the midst of all those people, we  had dinner in a Mexican restaurant. Afterwards, we traced our steps back to the Trafalgar Square and onwards to the Houses of Parliament or the Palace of Westminster, for the view of Big Ben.  The Big Ben is the most iconic landmark of London, and a visit to London is incomplete without seeing it. 

Meet Big Ben.

We then crossed the street to the Westminster Abbey, which is said to be a 700 year old building and where coronations of the monarchs happen since 1066.

 

At the Westminster Abbey

By 9, we boarded the underground train for another hour of travel back to the hotel.

And that was our very quick run to/in Central London.