A Week in London, Part Three of Four

Tower Bridge

The Tower Bridge was built in 1894. The road portion is a drawbridge (it splits in the middle as both side are raised) that allows tall ships to pass through. Originally it was opened hundreds of times each week, but now is used only two or three times a day. The upper walkways were intended to allow pedestrians to cross even while the drawbridge was open. But climbing the stairs made that impractical, so they are now part of a tourist exhibition.

A view of the Thames from the Tower Bridge's upper walkway.

A sculpture in the exhibit inside the bridge's foundation.

The hydraulic system for opening the drawbridge was originally powered by steam, but today it gets its power from petroleum products.

The Theatre Scene

Here we can see some of the seating inside the Globe Theatre. It was built in the 1990s, as faithful a reconstrution as possible of the Globe Theatre where Shakespeare's plays were performed 400 years ago. Authentic materials were used (with some concessions for modern safety concerns), and it has the first thatched roof permitted in London since they were outlawed after the Great Fire of 1666. Note that the top is open to the elements, as it would have been in Shakespeare's time.

Interior of a luxury box

The ceiling above the stage. The "marble" columns are painted.

Costume from a production in the 1980s

The London Eye

At 135 meters (443 feet), the London Eye is Europe's tallest Ferris wheel. Built in 1999, it opened to the public in March 2000, and is one of London's most popular tourist attractions. A distinctive landmark, it can be glimpsed above the rooftops throughout the city.

Each egg-shaped capsule holds up to 25 passengers, but if you get there early enough, as we did, there will probably be fewer. The wheel moves slowly and smoothly enough that it does not need to stop for passengers to enter and exit the cars (although it does stop for disabled riders). It's very quiet.

Not everyone was impressed with the view.

Kew Gardens

 
 

Steve and a big tree

 

Tourists on the elevated walkway.Giant lily pads.