A Short Stroll Along the South Bank of London: A Classic One-Day Tour Along the Thames

By MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network, Reported by Chen Guanxin

 

Recently, many friends around me have been planning trips to London—whether for work, study abroad, language schools, or degree programs. This city, both familiar and unfamiliar, keeps coming up in conversation, making one wonder how to explore one of the world’s largest cities in just a day’s walking tour.

 

The South Bank is one of the most walkable areas in London, with beautiful scenery perfect for a leisurely stroll. Along the way, you’ll find iconic landmarks such as Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the London Eye, and the Millennium Bridge—places you simply must visit to say you’ve been to London. Today, let’s enjoy a classic British-style walking tour along the banks of the Thames.

Almost all major official events of the British royal family are held at Westminster Abbey. The most significant, of course, is the coronation of the monarch. Since Edward I in 1066, with only two exceptions, all British kings and queens have been crowned here, and most are also buried here afterward. Westminster Abbey faithfully records every rise and fall in the history of the British royal family. Inside, there are many royal tombs, including a three-story tomb behind the high altar, which is the resting place of Edward I. Further back, you’ll find the Chapel of Henry VII, once hailed as “the most beautiful chapel in Christendom.”

Dominating the banks of the Thames, the magnificent Houses of Parliament and the precisely ticking Big Ben are the most prominent landmarks in Whitehall, drawing crowds all day long. The grand, neo-Gothic architecture of the Houses of Parliament symbolizes British democracy. Aside from admiring its impressive Gothic design, visitors can take guided tours during “Parliament in Session” or the “Summer Opening.” During “Parliament in Session,” you can queue at the St. Stephen’s entrance to watch the intense debates of Members of Parliament and experience British democracy firsthand. The “Summer Opening” takes place from July to September when Parliament is in recess, with 75-minute guided tours available. Perched atop the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben—affectionately known as the “Great Bell”—actually refers not to the four clock faces but to the 14-ton bell that chimes every hour. Since 1859, it has provided accurate timekeeping daily, accompanied by four smaller bells that ring every 15 minutes. Unfortunately, the interior is only open to UK residents.

This observation wheel, standing on the south bank of the Thames opposite the Houses of Parliament, was jointly commissioned by British Airways and the famous British tourist group, The Tussauds Group, and designed by two master architects, David Marks and Julia Barfield. Standing 135 meters tall—twice the height of Big Ben—it is the fourth tallest building in London after Canary Wharf Building, NatWest Tower, and Telecom Tower, and is currently London’s most dazzling new landmark. The “British Airways London Eye” has 32 capsules, each capable of carrying 25 passengers for a 360-degree rotation, offering sweeping views of the surrounding 25-mile radius over a 30-minute ride.

To expand the exhibition space of the Tate Britain, the Tate Modern on the South Bank was established. Officially opened in May 2000 and redesigned by Jacques Herzog & Pierre de Meuron, the architects preserved elements of the old building while adding new structures—for instance, retaining the old chimney, which intersects with a newly designed beam of light above. Upon entering, you’ll encounter a giant spider sculpture by renowned French artist Louise Bourgeois, symbolizing the building as a spider’s web and every visitor as its prey. The new architects deliberately designed the Turbine Hall entrance as a slope; walking down, you’ll suddenly find yourself in a vast open space. In addition to permanent exhibitions, Tate Modern is also famous for hosting special exhibitions of 20th-century modern art and offers various art-related courses and workshops open to the public.