I selected some of my favourite London locations that I thought would capture their happy engagement in the perfect way and prove that love can conquer the complexities and bustle of life. Let me share them with you…
Leadenhall Market
Tucked between busy Gracechurch Street and the striking Lloyds of London building, the scenic Leadenhall Market stands on what was the centre of Roman London and is now the centre of the financial district. The market dates back to the 14th century when it was used primarily as a game and poultry market and is now home to restaurants, retailers and a number of classic British pubs.
The beautiful and ornate roof structure was designed in 1881 and shelters the cobblestone streets and drunk brokers as they spill out of the pubs on almost any evening during the week. It’s much quieter on the weekends; a perfect opportunity to wander through the narrow passageways and boutique stores.
St Dunstan-in-the-East
This gem is a couple of minutes walk from Leadenhall Market and is located between the Tower of London and the Monument. Built in 1100, St Dunstan-in-the-East was largely destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666 and again in the Second World War Blitz in 1941. The Grade I listed ruins and are now a stunning and peaceful public garden right in the centre of the City of London.
Somerset House
Somerset House is a large Neoclassical building designed and built in the late 1700s and extended with Victorian wings in the 1800s. It’s located on the south side of the Strand in central London, overlooking the River Thames.
Surrounding the stunning central courtyard, Somerset House is an art centre with galleries and offices that are home to “the largest and most diverse collection of creative organisations, freelancers, artists, makers and thinkers in London.” On the day we visited, the 55 courtyard fountains that usually dance in the summer were turned off while members of the general public wandered around reading books out loud. It was one of the many contemporary installations that feature at Somerset House at any time of the year. During the winter, the beautifully list courtyard is home to a gorgeous Christmas tree and ice skating rink.
The unique Stamp Stair and the Nelson Stair stand at either end of the South Wing and connect historic rooms and spaces across five stories. They’re often filled with budding photographers fighting for the best angle.
London’s bridges
London is home to 24 road, rail and foot bridges that span across the River Thames from Kew Gardens to Tower Bridge and offer brilliant views of the city landscape. Often confused with London Bridge, Tower Bridge is probably the most iconic. Here’s a photo of Amber and Tower Bridge a few months ago.
I snapped a couple of in-the-moment rockstar shots as we crossed Waterloo Bridge from Somerset House to Southbank. The crisp, cool air and cloudy skies were a great contrast against the historic and iconic buildings that line the River Thames.
Waterloo Station and the London Underground
I love the London Underground. Not only is it a fast mode of transport that easily zooms millions of people every day from one end of London to the other, it’s also a great place for people watching. As are the major train stations located around central London.
This shot at Waterloo Station was mainly an excuse to experiment with the manual settings I don’t use very often on my Fujifilm X-T10. But I’m sure Amber and Rory had fun gazing into each other’s eyes standing perfectly still for a few minutes at a time while I tried to get the perfect angle. ????
On our way home I couldn’t resist snapping this one on the Jubilee Line. I think it’s my favourite.
I would love to hear what you think about these photos and if you have any suggestions for other hidden gems in London. I have a few up my sleeve, so stay tuned for a second instalment!
*All shots in this post were taken by me
Camera: Fujifilm X-T10
Lens: Fujinon XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS II Lens and XC 50-230mm f/4.5-6.7 OIS Lens
Accessories: small tripod (cheap) and my camera bag – nothing fancy!
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Feature courtesy of Jacqui Moroney’s NeverEndingHoneymoon.net
