British Empire Walking Tour in Westminster London UK
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The story of the rise and fall of the British Empire told through the statues and Monuments in Westminster. Come along on a walking tour around Westminster - the beating heart of British politics, that was once the centre of a global empire. At its height, the phrase "the Empire on which the sun never sets" was used to describe the vastness of the British Empire. Today, symbols of decolonisation such as statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela occupy the same space as imperial heroes like Sir Winston Churchill. What does this tell us about post colonial Britain and the soft power of monuments? Even though Britain’s imperial power is relegated to history, the long process of colonisation and decolonisation defines the world we live in today. We will discover how stories and ideas from history connect to our present by giving a fresh perspective on the statues and monuments.
Itinerary Details
Operated by: History Speak
Stop At: Parliament Square
Tour starting point - London's iconic space of power and protest. The square is surrounded by the Houses of Parliament, St Margaret's Church, the Supreme Court and HM Revenue and Customs. We will spend some time looking at the statues of historical figures that represent the history of colonisation and decolonisation.
Duration: 45 minutes
Pass By:
Beautiful and imposing Victorian building that was once the Colonial Office. The systems of imperialism and the Victorian view of the world is on display through the statuary on its facade.
Pass By: Downing Street
The Prime Minister of Britain's official residence. We won't get very close but you will see where it is located.
Stop At:
The lawns of the MOD have several monuments commemorating the British Armed Forces. We will look at the Chindit Memorial and the statue of Major General Charles Gordon.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At:
Opening soon as a luxury hotel. We will see it from the outside as we stop to look at the first memorial to the Gurkha soldier on the pavement next to the building.
Duration: 15 minutes
Pass By: Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall
Our opportunity to see horses from the Household Cavalry standing guard. You may want to return to this spot at 4pm to see the 'Punishment Parade.'
Pass By: St. James's Park
The tour ends opposite the park. It is a great direction to head off in after the walk as it houses a cute cafe and several kiosks for refreshments. There are several varieties of birds including Pelicans. At the other end of the park is Buckingham Palace, Green Park and Hyde Park.
