"Local Adventures" - City of Westminster Vol. I

It took my flatmates and I three months to finally find a day to visit all of the touristy places we've been meaning to see. You know, places like Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, etc. All of which are located in the City of Westminster. Just a fifteen minute walk from our flat! We kept telling ourselves that there wasn't any rush to see something just around the corner. We've been waiting for a nice day that wasn't raining, snowing, or constantly blowing cold wind. So we took the opportunity to explore the City of Westminster in full detail on the first sunny day that came by.

We started off at Trafalgar Square, where the National Gallery and the Crypt Cafe in St. Martin in the Fields is located. From here, it is easy to walk either down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace and St. James' Park, or down Whitehall where you can pass the Horse Guards, 10 Downing Street, Palace of Westminster, and Westminster Abbey.

 ^^The National Gallery^^

 ^^Four giant bronze lion statues surround Nelson's Column in the center of the square.^^

 ^^Nelson's Column^^

^^From Trafalgar Square looking down Whitehall. See something familiar in the distance?^^

 ^^Looking down the Mall^^

^^We arrived at Buckingham Palace before the Changing of the Guard ceremony started, so we were able to see some of the preparations by the Welsh Guard, Horse Guard, and Scots Guards.^^

 ^^Queen Victoria Monument^^

^^St. James's Park, another Royal Park here in London^^