A Little Stroll Along the South Bank: A Classic One-Day Tour Along the Thames

Written & Reported by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Net / Chen Guanxin

 

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

 

The South Bank is one of the most walkable areas in London, boasting beautiful scenery perfect for a leisurely stroll. Along the way, landmarks such as Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the London Eye, and the Millennium Bridge are all must-sees that you simply can’t miss on a trip to London. Today, let’s enjoy a classic British-style walking tour along the banks of the Thames.

Most major formal occasions of the British royal family are held at Westminster Abbey. The most important, of course, is the coronation of the monarch. Since Edward I in 1066, with only two exceptions, every king and queen of Britain has been crowned here and is often laid to rest here afterward. Westminster Abbey faithfully records every chapter of the rise and fall of the British royal family. There are many royal tombs within the abbey, including a three-story tomb behind the high altar, which is the resting place of Edward I. Further inside, you’ll find the Chapel of Henry VII, once hailed as “the most beautiful chapel in Christendom.”

Dominating the banks of the Thames, the grandiose and gilded Houses of Parliament, along with the precisely timekeeping Big Ben, are the most iconic landmarks of Whitehall, drawing crowds all day long. The magnificent neo-Gothic architecture of the Houses of Parliament is a symbol of British democracy. Aside from admiring its grand neo-Gothic structure, visitors can join guided tours during “Parliament in Session” or the “Summer Opening.” During “Parliament in Session,” you can queue at the St. Stephen’s entrance to observe the intense debates of Members of Parliament firsthand and experience British democracy. 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 tower, Big Ben—affectionately nicknamed the “Great Bell”—actually refers not to the clock faces but to the 14-ton bell that chimes every hour. Since 1859, it has provided precise timekeeping daily, accompanied by four smaller bells that ring every 15 minutes. Unfortunately, access inside is limited 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 UK tourist group, The Tussauds Group. It was designed by two renowned architects, David Marks and Julia Barfield. Standing at 135 meters tall—twice the height of Big Ben—it is the fourth tallest building in London after Canary Wharf Building, NatWest Bank, and Telecom Tower, as well as London’s most dazzling new landmark. The “British Airways London Eye” features 32 capsules, each capable of carrying 25 passengers for a 360-degree rotation. Over the course of 30 minutes, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views spanning up to 25 miles around the Eye.

The creation of Tate Modern on the South Bank was driven by the need to expand the exhibition space of the original Tate Britain. Officially opened in May 2000, it was redesigned by Jacques Herzog & Pierre de Meuron. They incorporated new elements into the existing building—for example, preserving the old chimney, which intersects with a newly designed beam of light above. Upon entering, you’ll encounter a giant spider sculpture created by the renowned French artist Louise Bourgeois. The concept is that the building becomes the spider’s web, and each visitor becomes its prey. The new architects deliberately designed the Turbine Hall entrance as a ramp. As you descend the slope, you enter the base of the hall, where the view suddenly opens up. In addition to its permanent exhibitions, Tate Modern is also known for hosting special exhibitions of 20th-century modern art and offers numerous art-related courses and workshops open to the public.