Tuesday 29 January 2013

The Thames Path east of Westminster, London

 St Paul's Cathedral from the south bank, The Thames Path National Trail
 St Paul's Cathedral from the south bank
St Paul’s Cathedral, was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and constructed between 1675 and 1710.  This architectural masterpiece is at least the fourth cathedral to have stood on the site, and was built following the destruction of its predecessor in the Great Fire of London. 


Tower Bridge on the Thames Path National Trail
Tower Bridge
In the 19th century the area east of London Bridge had become a busy port and the East End became so densely populated that a new bridge to the east of London Bridge was needed.  Horace Jones, the City Architect, in collaboration with John Wolfe Barry, won the pubic competition for the design of the new Thames crossing, and the bridge was opened in 1894.


The Tower of London on the Thames Path National Trail
 The Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, first built by William the Conqueror in 1066 to keep hostile Londoners at bay.


The Shard on the Thames Path National Trail
The Shard 

The Shard, or 'Shard of Glass', is a 95-storey skyscraper in the shape of an irregular pyramid.  Clad entirely in glass it has 72 habitable floors and an open-air observation deck.  It was designed by the Italian architect, Renzo Piano and was inaugurated on 5 July 2012.   It is currently the highest building in London and the second tallest free-standing building in the UK.



Canary Wharf from the east on the Thames Path National Trail
 Canary Wharf from the east

Canary Wharf is one of the two major financial districts in London.   The skyscrapers were built at the West India Docks on the Isle of Dogs. East London. From 1802, this area was one of the busiest docks in the world, but by the 1950s the port industry was in decline and the docks were closed by 1980.


Woolwich Arsenal on the Thames Path National Trail
Woolwich Arsenal
The Royal Arsenal, Woolwich dates from 1671.  It carried out armaments manufacture, ammunition proofing and explosives research for the British armed forces.  The area has been redeveloped for housing and also hosts the “Firepower: The Royal Artillery Museum”.

Happy exploring the historic sights along the Thames Path

Anne




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