London Eye Offers Spectacular Views of London Landscape

 

The London Eye
The London Eye

On my most recent visit to London in May, 2015, I decided it was time to see the city from high atop the Coca-Cola London Eye.

Built in 1999, this giant slow-moving Ferris wheel is located on the South Bank of the River Thames and it provides some stunning views of London, including that of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben as seen in the photo below.

Houses of Parliament
Houses of Parliament

It takes 30 minutes for the wheel to complete its rotation and it moves so slowly that you don’t even realize it is moving. There are 32 glass-enclosed passenger capsules on the wheel and each takes up to about 25 people. There is a bench in the center of each capsule but passengers are free to move about the capsule and most do so in order to get the optimal viewing that the Ferris wheel offers. Because it moves so slowly and smoothly, it’s a great place for taking photos as you can get views from many heights.

Passenger Capsule on The London Eye
Passenger Capsule on The London Eye

Before boarding the Ferris wheel, we went to the 4D cinema experience and I recommend it. It’s a very short presentation and is very well done.

Waterloo Bridge
Waterloo Bridge

During peak periods, there can be long queues for the London Eye. In mid-May, we were at the London Eye around 5:30pm and had about a 20-25 minute wait. They do, however, have different categories of tickets, including fast-track tickets, so best to visit their website for up-to-date details on tickets, prices, and so forth.

The Shard (the triangular-shaped building in the photo below) is London’s highest and best viewpoint of the city. This 87-story skyscraper contains restaurants, offices, and a hotel as well as a viewing platform. I didn’t make it to the Shard this time but it’s on my “to-do” list for the next visit.

Part of the London Skyline including The Shard
Part of the London Skyline including The Shard

There are always vessels of some sort moving along The Thames.

Charing Cross Station is on the right in the photo below and Whitehall Court to the left.

You don’t go many seconds in London without seeing the iconic red double-decker buses.  The ones in the photo below are on Westminster Bridge just in front of the Houses of Parliament.

You’ll never be lost for time if you can see Big Ben!

The Royal Festival Hall is in the photo below. The London Eye is a great way to situate yourself within the layout of London and its famous landmarks. You can also get a good view of Buckingham Palace from the London Eye, too.

In our short time on the London Eye, the weather kept changing. One minute the sun was shining and the sky was bright blue and the next, it looked like a storm was rolling in. After exiting the London Eye, we walked a short distance along the Thames and then went up on to the Westminster Bridge which we walked across to the Westminster Underground Station to get the tube back to Belgravia where we were staying on this trip. It was a neat experience to walk alongside the Houses of Parliament.

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Afternoon Tea at London’s Intercontinental Park Lane Hotel

Since my first visit to England in 1985, I have had a love affair with London! I find it’s a city that, no matter how many times I visit, there is always something new to see and to explore.

There are the usual iconic attractions that remain largely unchanged over the years – the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, Harrods, Fortnum and Mason, and the list goes on. One of the most British of traditions – afternoon tea – has also endured over the years and, if anything, has grown in popularity with different age demographics. On each visit to the city, I ‘take tea’ at a different venue. My latest visit just this past May took me to the Intercontinental Park Lane Hotel near Hyde Park for afternoon tea.

This hotel offers a high-end traditional afternoon tea on a regular daily basis and, in addition, designs several seasonal teas throughout the year. Their new “Scents of Summer” afternoon tea had only been available four days prior to our arrival and we found it was a treat for all the senses.

"Scents of Summer" Afternoon Tea. Photo courtesy InterContinental London Park Lane Hotel
“Scents of Summer” Afternoon Tea. Photo courtesy InterContinental London Park Lane Hotel

This is not your ordinary afternoon tea with the traditional egg and cucumber sandwiches.  Expect attentive (but not intrusive) and knowledgeable service to go along with tasty and artfully prepared food that takes afternoon tea up a notch. Servers will offer tea pairing recommendations for each course of the afternoon tea that is served complete with a glass of bubbly. For my complete review of this tea experience, visit my sister blog “My Island Bistro Kitchen”.

In the meantime, here are some photos of the afternoon tea to whet your appetite.

We sampled three different teas during the afternoon, one to accompany each course.

We started with the rose pearl wheatgrass palette cleanser.

Then, these four tasty pinwheel/scroll sandwiches were presented in the shape of a butterfly.

Dainty buttermilk scones arrived at the table accompanied by dishes of Devon clotted cream, wild strawberry jam, lemon curd with pink peppercorn, and Bergamot-infused Earl Grey butter.

And, for the finale, take a look at the presentation of the dessert course. Everything you see in the photo below is edible, including the pebbles!

The dessert course was accompanied by a glass of Moët & Chandon berry floral Rosé.


If you are in London this summer and go to only one afternoon tea, I recommend the Scents of Summer at the Park Lane. Do plan to allow about three hours to relax and fully enjoy and savour this exceptional afternoon tea in the hotel’s Wellington Lounge.

The price per person of the Scents of Summer afternoon tea experience is ₤45 + gratuity (generally about 15%) which, at the time of writing would total approximately $100. (CDN) per person.

The Intercontinental Park Lane is located at One Hamilton Place, Park Lane, London, England, W1J 7QY (Tel: +44(0)20 7409 3131). Reservations are recommended for afternoon tea. For more information, visit the hotel’s website at http://parklane.intercontinental.com/wellington-lounge-afternoon-tea.html

My thanks to the Park Lane for the opportunity to experience Scents of Summer Afternoon Tea and for the fine hospitality. My afternoon tea at the Park Lane Hotel was complimentary for the purpose of conducting a review of the new Scents of Summer offering. However, this in no way influenced my opinions of the afternoon tea experience which are purely my own.

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Afternoon Tea at Intercontinental London Park Lane Hotel
Afternoon Tea at Intercontinental London Park Lane Hotel

The Majesty of Greenwich National Park in Prince Edward Island, Canada

 

Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada

While each of the national parks in Prince Edward Island (PEI), my home province on the East Coast of Canada, is beautiful in its own way and you will find natural pink coastal sand dunes and soft sandy beaches in each, there is something extra special and breathtaking about Greenwich National Park. I often refer to it as the jewel in our crown of national parks. That’s why, when I am asked where is the one place I recommend visitors go on PEI, I inevitably say Greenwich.

Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Sand Dunes at Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Sand Dunes at Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Greenwich National Park is located near St. Peter’s Bay in the eastern end of the Island. This is less than one hour’s drive from the Province’s capital of Charlottetown. Greenwich is the newest of the Island’s national parks having just been established in 1998. The park is actually comprised of three main components: 1) The Interpretative Centre (where you can also buy your park pass); 2) the system of walking/hiking trails; and 3) the beach.

 

Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada

There are three trails in the Park and they range in length from 1.25km to 4.5km, return. My favorite is the one that has the floating boardwalk over shallow Bowley Pond which stretches alongside magnificent towering wind-sculpted pink sand dunes.

Floating Boardwalk over Bowley Pond at Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Floating Boardwalk over Bowley Pond at Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada

To reach this boardwalk, you will need to walk through a fairly level groomed trail that meanders through what was, at one time, an agricultural field and then a short jaunt through a wooded area. This will lead to the boardwalk with its spectacular vistas of the pink sand dunes contrasted against marine blue water from any angle. Be sure to bring your camera.

Floating Boardwalk over Bowley Pond at Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Floating Boardwalk over Bowley Pond at Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Through this wetland, look for a wide variety of bird species that call Greenwich home. What birds you will see will vary on any given day so it’s impossible to say which species you will see during a visit.

Common Tern at Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Common Tern at Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada

 

Sandpiper at Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Sandpiper at Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada

 

Blue Heron at Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Blue Heron at Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada

At the end of the boardwalk, a short climb up a set of sandy stairs will lead you to a perfect view of one of the nicest beaches you will find anywhere.

Beach at Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Entrance to Beach at the end of the Floating Boardwalk at  Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Beach at the end of the floating boardwalk at Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Beach at the end of the floating boardwalk at Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada

From the vantage point of the beach, and during fishing season, you can also watch the boats returning from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to a nearby harbour with their catch of the day.


If you don’t wish to do the hike through Greenwich trails and would sooner go directly to the beach, there is a separate entrance about 1 km down a clay road from the Interpretive Centre (note park fee applies to use this beach). There is a lengthy boardwalk from the parking lot to a section of Greenwich Beach. You will also find restrooms, outside showers, and changing facilities along with a kitchen/picnic shelter.

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There is also a high set of spiral stairs leading to a lookout that will give you a spectacular 360⁰ view of Greenwich. During the main summer season, this beach also has a lifeguard on duty at prescribed hours throughout the day.

Beach at Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Beach at Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Beach at Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Beach at Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Special Note:
While the trails, for the most part, are on fairly flat terrain, there are some uneven, rough grounds (especially on the short trek through the wooded area and the climb up to the stairs down to the beach at the end of the floating boardwalk trail) so be sure to wear suitable hiking/walking footwear. As well, note that you will be sharing the beauty of Greenwich trails with the Park’s natural inhabitants so be sure to bring along some insect repellent. Also, it’s a good idea to bring sunscreen and water for the hike.
Season:
At time of writing, the trails are officially open from May 17th to September 30th.
Cost:
Parks Canada sets annual fees for its national park passes. Day and season passes can be purchased at the Greenwich National Park Interpretative Centre. Note that a season pass will also give you access to the other national parks on PEI. Visit the Parks Canada website for details.
How to Get There:
From Charlottetown, take Route 2 East and travel to the Village of St. Peter’s Bay. Take Route 16 North toward Cable Head and turn West onto Route 313 to Greenwich.

Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Greenwich National Park, Prince Edward Island, Canada

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Greenwich National Park, PEI, Canada
Greenwich National Park, PEI, Canada