In 2024, I showed Oscar from Denver, Colorado the highlights of London. It was his first time in England. In contrast, Thanh and I have been to the capital of the United Kingdom many times. During the weekend of Pentecost 2026, we went together for a weekend of museums, food, and a concert.
After checking in at Park Plaza Riverbank, we set out on a walk that combined some of London’s most recognisable landmarks with lesser-known places that reveal the city’s history and contemporary character. Following the River Thames eastwards, the route connected royal and political institutions, public memorials, modern architecture, cultural venues and riverside public spaces, ending at Shakespeare’s Globe near Bankside.
Thames Path
The walk began on the Thames Path, the long-distance riverside route that follows much of the River Thames from its source in the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier in East London. Along this section of the route, the river acts as a constant reference point, with changing views of Westminster, the South Bank and the City of London skyline. The path provides a reminder of how closely London’s development has always been linked to the river, which served as a transport corridor, commercial artery and source of wealth for centuries.
Lambeth Palace
One of the first major landmarks encountered along the route was Lambeth Palace, the official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The palace has occupied its riverside site for more than 800 years and remains one of the most important buildings in the Church of England. I don’t have photos of the palace.
Behind its walls lies a complex of structures dating from different periods, including a Tudor gatehouse built during the fifteenth century. While much of the estate is not regularly open to casual visitors, the exterior offers a glimpse into a part of London’s ecclesiastical history that has survived alongside the city’s political centre.
National Covid Memorial Wall
A short distance beyond Lambeth Palace stands the National Covid Memorial Wall. Stretching along the river opposite the Palace of Westminster, the wall consists of thousands of hand-painted hearts commemorating those who died during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
Created as a grassroots memorial initiative, it has become one of London’s most powerful public memorials. The scale of the artwork is striking, transforming a long riverside wall into a collective act of remembrance that continues to evolve as families and communities contribute new tributes.
I’m sorry, but no photos again. I’m suffer from ‘COVID theme overdose’.
Westminster Bridge
The route then approached Westminster Bridge, one of the most famous crossings of the Thames. Opened in 1862, the current bridge replaced earlier structures and was designed by engineer Thomas Page. Its distinctive green colour reflects its association with the nearby House of Commons.
Westminster Bridge has long offered one of the city’s most celebrated viewpoints, with clear sightlines towards the Palace of Westminster, the river and the London Eye on the opposite bank.
Palace of Westminster
Viewed from the bridge and the riverside, the Palace of Westminster dominates this part of London. Home to the UK Parliament, the building is one of the defining symbols of British democracy.
Most of the present structure dates from the nineteenth century and was constructed after a devastating fire destroyed much of the medieval palace in 1834. Designed principally by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin in the Gothic Revival style, the complex combines political significance with architectural grandeur. Its towers, elaborate stonework and riverside setting make it one of the most recognisable buildings in the world.
The Queen’s Walk
Crossing to the South Bank, the walk continued along The Queen’s Walk, the pedestrian promenade that follows the southern bank of the Thames. Developed as part of wider regeneration efforts during the late twentieth century, it has become one of London’s busiest public spaces.
The route links cultural institutions, restaurants, performance venues and viewpoints while maintaining continuous access to the river. Throughout the walk, the changing perspectives towards Westminster, the City and the river traffic provide a constantly evolving backdrop.
Southbank Skatepark
Beneath the concrete terraces of the Southbank Centre lies the Southbank Skatepark, one of the world’s longest continuously used skateboarding spaces.
Since the early 1970s, skateboarders, BMX riders and street artists have made the area their own. What began as an unintended use of the undercroft evolved into a significant part of London’s urban culture. Campaigns to protect the space from redevelopment helped secure its future, ensuring that it remains both a sporting venue and a symbol of grassroots creative communities.
National Theatre
Continuing eastward, the National Theatre occupies a prominent position overlooking the Thames. Designed by architect Sir Denys Lasdun and completed in the 1970s, the building is one of Britain’s most significant examples of Brutalist architecture.
Its layered terraces, exposed concrete and geometric forms have long divided public opinion, yet the theatre is widely recognised as an architectural landmark. Inside, three auditoria host a diverse programme ranging from classic drama to contemporary productions, reinforcing the institution’s role as one of the country’s leading cultural organisations.
Lasdun Restaurant
Located within the National Theatre, Lasdun Restaurant takes its name from the building’s architect. The restaurant occupies a position overlooking the river and forms part of the theatre’s broader public offering.
Beyond serving theatre audiences, it functions as a destination in its own right, allowing visitors to experience the National Theatre’s distinctive architecture from within. Large windows frame views of the Thames and the surrounding cityscape, connecting the dining space to the urban environment outside.
Thanh booked Lasdun mostly because of its location in the Brutalist building. It was dead quite that evening. Our server, with an Irish-Cypriotic mother and a French father (from Bordeaux) or was it the it the other way round, told us it was really quiet due to the very summery weather.
Lasdun’s menu only offers à la carte for dining. There aren’t that many options, which is a policy I can respect. The restaurant is nearing the high-end level so quality and pricing fit. But it tasted good, the service was nice and it’s a place I’d recommend.
Tate Modern
Further along Bankside stands Tate Modern, one of the world’s most visited museums of modern and contemporary art. The institution occupies the former Bankside Power Station, a vast industrial structure designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott.
Its conversion into a museum, led by architects Herzog & de Meuron, became one of London’s most influential regeneration projects. Since opening in 2000, Tate Modern has transformed the surrounding area while establishing itself as a major international cultural destination. The museum’s Turbine Hall, occupying the former power station’s central space, remains one of the largest and most distinctive exhibition areas in the world.
Millennium Bridge
Outside Tate Modern, the Millennium Bridge provides a direct pedestrian connection across the Thames to the City of London. Opened in 2000, the bridge gained immediate notoriety because unexpected lateral movement caused it to close shortly after its inauguration.
Engineering modifications resolved the problem, and the structure reopened in 2002. Today, its slender profile and innovative design create an elegant crossing that offers excellent views both east and west along the river.
Shakespeare’s Globe
The walk concluded at Shakespeare’s Globe, a reconstruction of the Elizabethan playhouse associated with William Shakespeare. Located near the site of the original Globe Theatre, which was built in 1599, the modern venue opened in 1997 following decades of research and fundraising.
Constructed using traditional materials and techniques where possible, the theatre provides insight into how plays were staged during Shakespeare’s lifetime. As both a working theatre and educational centre, Shakespeare’s Globe connects contemporary audiences with one of the most influential periods in English literary and theatrical history.
A walk through many layers of London
Although relatively short in distance, this riverside walk passes through a remarkable concentration of London’s history and culture.
Medieval religious institutions, national political landmarks, modern memorials, Brutalist architecture, contemporary art and Shakespearean theatre all appear within a few kilometres of one another.
The result is a route that illustrates the diversity of London itself, where centuries of history coexist alongside constant reinvention.
Pentecost weekend in London 2026
- EUROSTAR | From Brussels to London in Eurostar Plus (2026).
- LONDON | Coal Drops Yard at King’s Cross Central.
- LONDON | Queer Britain or the British National LGBTQ+ Museum.
- INTERMEZZO | Eurostar to launch direct, no-train-changing London to Antwerp services from December 2026.
- LONDON | Regent’s Park and Queen Elizabeth II Garden.
- LONDON | Boys! Boys! Boys! Gallery Café.