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Tour Three: A Walking Tour of Westminster

A tour of Westminster could only start at Trafalgar Square. Nelson's Column dominates the square, commemorating Horatio Nelson's service to his country. Nelson, measuring only 5'4" in real life and having suffered from seasickness, definitely cut an interesting figure as an admiral. He finally lost his life at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805, having already lost his right arm and left eye in battle. The column, erected in 1843, is over fifty meters high. The sword alone measures over seven feet — a lot bigger than Admiral Nelson ever was in the flesh.

To the north of the square are National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, which house some of the nation's most prized treasures and some 2000 remarkable works of fine art. Note the unimposing church on the square's east side: St Martin-in-the-Fields. This provided shelter to many Londoners during the Blitz when London came under fire from Germany's Luftwaffe during WWII.

Set off southwards along the grand boulevard of Whitehall, towards the Houses of Parliament. Whitehall is home to the headquarters of most of Britain's governmental ministries and you'll pass the statue of Charles I, who was executed as an enemy of the realm by Oliver Cromwell in 1649. On the left-hand side of the road is the Old Admiralty building, still in use to this day, opposite which you will find the imposing structure that is the Ministry of Defense.

On your right you will pass the Horse Guards, in all their plumed glory. Don't miss this opportunity to take the compulsory London photograph with a mounted horse guard, and yes, they really aren't allowed to smile!

Number 10 Downing Street provides the next photo opportunity. It's been the official residence of the Prime Minister since 1732, but Tony Blair, the former Prime Minister, broke with tradition. Deciding that number 10 was too small for his growing family, he swapped houses with the Chancellor of the Exchequer who normally resides at the more family-friendly house at number 11. His successor, Gordon Brown, reinstated number 10 as the Prime Minister's residence. You will have be satisfied with a mere glimpse through the railings as increased security threats have prevented public access to Downing Street.

To your left, in the middle of the boulevard, is the Cenotaph, the monument commemorating Britain's war dead. Remembrance Day ( the second Sunday in November ), sees a parade along Whitehall by representatives of people who fought in both World Wars, the Falklands and the Gulf. The Queen and Prime Minister lay wreaths to commemorate the fallen.

Continue along Whitehall until you reach Parliament Square, which is adorned with statues of some of Britain's greatest parliamentary figures, including Winston Churchill and Benjamin Disraeli. Cross the square to Westminster Abbey where sovereigns are crowned and buried. This imposing building is hundreds of years old, and is a wonderful example of Gothic architecture.

Poets' Corner pays tribute to, among many others, Shakespeare, Shelley, Keats, Byron and Dickens. Whether the remains in Shakespeare's tomb are his or not is still debated by historians and scholars, as is the answer to the question of his true identity. In amongst the tombs of various heads of state and leading political and cultural figures is the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, who lost his life in WWI. Kids will lap up the opportunity to take brass rubbings of some of the inscriptions, allowed on certain tombs. Meanwhile, take a break and have a coffee from the stand inside the Abbey.

Walk over to the Houses of Parliament — the seat of British government — which stand on the site of the original palace built for Edward the Confessor, which burnt down in 1834. Designed by Charles Barry, the current structure is an excellent example of Gothic Revival, incorporating Gothic and Elizabethan styles. Try and time it so that you're here on the hour to hear Big Ben strike. The name 'Big Ben' actually refers not to the tower but to the 13-ton bell inside it.

Head straight for Westminster Bridge for your perfect photo opportunity — the Thames, The Houses of Parliament and a red double-decker bus — ample proof that you were in London. The big white building on the opposite bank is County Hall, home to the London Aquarium in the basement, loved by kids and adults alike. You'll also see the London Eye ( Millennium Wheel ).

Now that you're on the south side of the river, amble along the embankment of the Thames ( postcard view of the Houses of Parliament ) passing the London Eye. You will soon come across a concrete complex built in the 1960s, and once described by Prince Charles as being London's greatest eyesore — known collectively as the South Bank. The South Bank includes: the Royal Festival Hall ( home to The London Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra ), the Hayward Gallery, the National Film Theatre ( NFT ) and the Royal National Theatre ( simply called 'The National' ), which houses the National Theatre Olivier, National Theatre Lyttelton and National Theatre Cottesloe Theatres. There is always something exciting going on here — the South Bank also provides the finishing-line to the gruelling 26.2 miles of the annual London Marathon.