Have you visited London yet? London is full of beautiful surprises. It's a city full of wonders at every train stop.
During my recent visit, I planned to visit the London Eye. Once I got to the Waterloo train stop, however, I was introduced to another world that kept me there for over 4 hours.
Waterloo is a major underground station in Central London. It's on the Jubilee Line, the Bakerloo Line, and the Northern Line. What I love most about Waterloo is that there are tons of free activities you can participate in to achieve your 10,000 step goal and experience the beauty of London.
So, grab your camera and walking shoes to explore these 6 famous landmarks and sites in Waterloo.
1. Visit the National Art Gallery
If you’re a fan of art, you’ll have to check out The National Gallery. Located in Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, you’ll have a chance to accumulate over 1000 steps viewing a collection of over 2,300 paintings dating back as far as the mid-13th century. The most popular paintings are from Van Gogh, a post-impressionist painter who is known for using expressive and emotive use of color to make his paintings come to life.
2. Watch Big Ben Tick
Big Ben in London is over 100 years old and stands tall as one of London's most iconic landmarks. Located in the Palace of Westminster, Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the clock that is housed in The Elizabeth Tower. Although this structure is currently undergoing renovation work, you’ll still be able to get a glimpse of history when you lay eyes on this clock.
3. Walkthrough the Whitehall Gardens
The Privy Garden of the Palace of Whitehall is full of beautiful colored flowers that put your mind at ease. Walk around and admire the beauty that was used by the late Tudor and monarchs of England. You’ll find monuments, statues, planting beds, and a wide walking path. Just search ‘Victoria Embankment Gardens’ to find out more about this beauty.
4. Surprise Your Eyes with the London Eye
If you’re looking for some Instagram-worthy photos, grab a picture or two near the London Eye. Located on the South Bank of the River Thames, the London Eye is a landmark listed as Europe’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel. It attracts millions of visitors annually and gives you a great way to see London at 135 meters high! The walk to get to the London Eye will give you an adrenaline boost!
5. View the Household Cavalry Museum
You can walk around the Household Cavalry Museum for free or pay a fee to visit the inside. The outdoors receive a lot of attention on its own because it’s a historic building in the City of Westminster known as Horse Guards. Built-in the mid-18th century, the Horse Guards building serves as stables for the Household Cavalry. So watch your step when you’re walking in this area and soak up all the horse history around you!
6. Eat at Southbank Centre Market
After four hours of exploring all the beauty that London has to offer, you’ll definitely need some fresh, quality food to keep you going. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you’re in luck! The Southbank Centre Market offers an array of options for food-conscious eaters. Walking around to all the vendors to decide what you want will give you some extra steps to add to your count! I tried some Vegan Indian Street Food called Moong Dal Dosa and it was delicious!
Charlene Rhinehart is an award-winning speaker, consultant, and coach who uses digital technologies to share inspiring stories with the world. She helps others live their best life as a Financial Coach at Wealthy Women Daily, Founder of the Career Goddess Academy, and Travel & Lifestyle Writer at BlackCoupleTravels.com.