V2 : May 2010

Jubilee Walkway Section 2 The Eastern Loop

St Mary Overys Church became Southwark Cathedral in 1905, but it has been a place of Christian worship for over 1,000 years. This part of the river has a Dickensian feel to it, and in the novel, Oliver Twist, it was here that Bill Sikes murdered Nancy. Turn left in front of Southwark Cathedral, and follow the cobbled Montague Close round to the right. Keeping parallel to the Thames, go under London Bridge, staying on Montague Close, which becomes Tooley Street. Walk another 80m after coming out from under London Bridge, then look out for a white signpost and the pavement disc pointing left, C indicating a walkway under polished red stone arches, returning to the riverfront. Turn right at the Thames, past Hays Galleria, the complex of shops and restaurants, and come to HMS Belfast. HMS Belfast served throughout the Second World War, playing a leading part in the destruction of the battle cruiser Scharnhorst, and also the Normandy Landings. In service with the Royal Navy until 1965, she was saved for the nation in 1971 as a unique reminder of Britains naval heritage. Look for information panels near the entrance to the way down to HMS Belfast. From here continue along the Queens Walk passing the glass dome of City Hall, the Greater London Authoritys Headquarters on Potters Field. There is a view of the Tower of London (and Traitors Gate) on the other side of the Thames. Walk on towards Tower Bridge. The bridge was officially opened on 30 June 1894 and since then has been one of the most recognisable bridges in the world as well as an important crossing of the Thames: its used by over 40,000 people (motorists and pedestrians) every day. First go under Tower Bridge, and immediately look for steps up on the righthand side. Cross the Thames along Tower Bridge itself, on the right-hand side of the road. Once on the north bank, drop down steps, then turn right towards the riverside. At the Thames, turn left alongside the river, passing the Girl with a Dolphin Fountain. Pass the giant sundial and cross over the narrow footbridge and turn left to enter St Katharine Docks. Turn right at St

Start / Finish: Station: Distance:

Tate Modern (TQ320805) Mansion House 5 miles ( 8 km)

Introduction: This is a circular walk in the Eastern part of London following the River on the South Bank, crossing Tower Bridge and passing through the City back to the River across the Millennium Bridge. The Eastern Loop links with section 3 of the Walkway (The City Loop) at the junctions of King William St/Poultry and Queen Victoria St/Peters Hill. Directions: From the Tate Modern, turn right to follow the Thames downstream. Follow the riverbank, passing the Millennium Bridge A and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. You are now the Thames Path National Trail on the south side of the River. The Thames Path National Trail stretches 184 miles (294 kilometres) from its source in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier. Continue under Southwark Bridge and follow round left into Clink Street. At the Old Thameside Inn and the replica of the Golden Hinde Boat, look out for an information panel at the river frontage. Back on Clink Street, keep following round slightly to the right, to Southwark Cathedral. B

Katharines Way, to follow the D open waterside on the cobbled plaza. At the red phone box and Dickens Inn, turn left to cross over the narrow Telford Bridge. This footbridge survives from Telfords day and is still used today. With its visionary design the bridge retracts into the dock walls to allow boats through. Once over the Telford Bridge, turn left and follow a row of shops and cafs, supported by cast iron columns. Half way along turn right under the buildings and go past more shops and cafs. Turn left and follow the boardwalk; at the end bear right, turn left and go under the subway into Tower Gardens. Follow the path through Tower Gardens to the Tower of London. The Tower of London has been a fortress, royal palace, a prison and even a zoo. Its one of Londons top attractions with the crown jewels and the Yeoman Warders, better known as Beefeater, among the many things to see. Keeping the Tower of London on your left follow the path around and cross the pedestrian area heading west, past All-Hallows-by-the-Tower church. As you are now entering the City of London, you will also pass, on your right a column with a dragon with a curly tail; this is symbol of the city. Cross Byward Street at the lights behind the church, and continue westwards into Great Tower Street. Follow Great Tower Street on the left-hand side for 500m, to Eastcheap and Monument Station. The name of the station commemorates the 1666 great fire of London with a 61ft tall Doric column topped with a gilded urn of fire. It was designed by Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke. At the end of Eastcheap cross over King William Street at the junction / traffic lights, then cross Cannon Street at the lights, to walk up King William Street towards the Bank of England and Bank tube station. Bear right and cross Cornhill to the triangular island in front of the Royal

Exchange. You are now in the heart of the City of London; look around here for information panels showing all the buildings around the area. In front of you is the majestic Royal Exchange; it was originally built in 1566 by Sir Thomas Gresham but the present building dates from 1844. At the tip of this triangular island is the statue of the Duke of Wellington, the Iron Duke, on a horse and. To the left, in Threadneedle Street, is The Bank of England, the central bank of the United Kingdom. Retracing steps back across Cornhill, and across King William Street towards another building with stone columns Mansion House. E From the time it was first occupied in 1752, Mansion House has been one of the grandest Georgian town palaces in London and is recognised today as a building of great national importance. It survives, relatively unchanged, in the heart of the modern city of London and is still in everyday use as the residence of the Lord Mayor, who lives and works there during his term of office, using the house for many ceremonial occasions. Go in front of Mansion House and cross Queen Victoria Street to get to No. 1 Poultry, a large dark-pink and white stone building on the corner of these two roads. There is an interpretation panel in front of it facing towards the Bank and Royal Exchange, as well as gold pavement disc where the Queen unveiled the panel in celebration of her Golden Jubilee and a complete refurbishment of the Jubilee Walkway in 2002. Section 3 of the Walkway starts at this interpretation panel. Walk down Queen Victoria Street on the right-hand side, passing Mansion House tube station on the left after about 300m, and after a further 300m (with a glimpse to St. Pauls Cathedral to the right), turn left to cross Queen Victoria Street, and enter Peters Hill pedestrian area. Walk towards the Thames, to cross the Millennium Bridge and return to The Tate Modern.
Jubilee Walkway Section 2 The Eastern Loop page 2 www.walklondon.org.uk