POSTCARDS FROM LONDON
Exploring the sites of London.
As a travel photographer, I have always wanted to expand my explorations beyond the borders of the United States. While there are plenty of beautiful, breathtaking places to explore in the States, there has been this strong desire to not only travel abroad but to snap a few pictures too. Childhood memories of growing up in Italy have played a huge role in me wanting to head over the Atlantic but it would take me over thirty years before I finally made the trip back over to the European continent.
It took an amazing friend asking me to accompany him on a work trip but I finally made it back and to a country I had never stepped foot in — London. From the moment we landed, I was impressed with the majestic and classic feel expressed by the former heart of the British Empire. There was a lot of rain, plenty of walking and so much to discover that I could not fit it all in here.
Here are a few of the sights from London, England. Hope you enjoy.
- Correy Overton
Tower Bridge
London boasts so many iconic landmarks that it was hard to decide where I would begin exploring. With landmarks like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye all within reach, the choice was difficult but I chose to head over to Tower Bridge — a towering drawbridge that sits downstream from London Bridge along the River Thames. The bridge and it’s surrounding area offered tons of personality and was crowded with people admiring one of London’s most defining pieces of architecture.
Tower Bridge has aged wonderfully as has the surrounding area. At well over a century in age, it was surprising how well-maintained the bridge had been. Cobblestone streets lined the walkways under the bridge giving it an Old World charm.
I spent the better half of an afternoon walking from London Tower, across Tower Bridge and next to the river hoping to capture shots of this London beauty
WESTMINSTER
One thing I quickly learned about London — you are very likely to get rained on at some point during your visit, which is exactly what happened to me the day I visited Westminster. Westminster is quite possibly one of the most notable parts of London with landmarks like Westminster Bridge and Palace of Westminster, all which I had no idea of the significance before visiting England. So it was no surprise to see the bridge and surrounding area crowded with people on a Wednesday afternoon, in the rain.
The interior of the church blew me away. The paintings on the walls, gold statutes and historic sculptures inside the church were astonishing. Most surprising to me was just how much of the homage was paid to the State and the former British Empire — a testament to just how intertwined the Church and the State used to be.
St. Paul’s Cathedral was a “must-visit” landmark when initially found out I would be visiting the city. Luckily for me, it was right down the street from my AirBnB and really hard to ignore. Like many of the churches in Europe, its Baroque-style architecture and ornate beauty made it hard to miss. The view from the exterior is exquisite but to truly admire the cathedral, I paid to go inside.
You could probably get in for free if you attend mass but since it was a Friday, the option wasn’t really there.
ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL
London has been a great way to dip my toes back into the European continent. Culturally different from the States but familiar enough I could explore without feeling awkward. These were just a few of the places that stood out and even though they were mostly landmarks, it felt like a great way to get a feel for what to expect in a European country.
I usually want to avoid the touristy areas whenever I visit a new place but in a place like London, it felt needed. This visit was less of “do as the locals do” and more “sightseeing” but I can’t say I would change much — other than having more time. Always need more of that.