Thames Treasures: A Guide to London’s Riverside Heritage

Victoria Embankment is one of the prominent arteries that flows through the historic heart of London. On this walking tour, you’ll enjoy a mix of iconic landmarks, stunning river views, and stories from London’s vibrant past.

The tour starts at the Battle of Britain Monument on Victoria Embankment, which recognises the Royal Air Force and Allies’ resistance against the Germans during the Luftwaffe’s airborne attack. As you stroll along the Thames, you’ll pass the notable monument Cleopatra’s Needle, a relic of ancient Egypt that bears the scars of London’s wartime history.

I’ll show you the Former Aldwych Tube Station, an abandoned memory from the Piccadilly line, where I’ll tell you how art was kept safe here during World War Two. You’ll pass Somerset House, which you might recognise as the Ministry of Defence in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies. The tour ends with a picture-perfect view of the Palace of Westminster and the towering London Eye.

Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:

• Honour the brave RAF pilots of World War Two and spot a golden eagle at the incredible Royal Air Force Memorial
• Take a break in Victoria Embankment Gardens, a peaceful tribute to Victorian engineering and design
• Find out which history makers attended King’s College, one of London’s finest academic landmarks
• Cross Waterloo Bridge, also known as the Ladies’ Bridge, and take in some of the best views of London’s skyline
• Learn how Victorian marketing techniques fooled customers into bathing in so-called Roman Baths
• Strut along the vibrant Southbank while passing landmarks like the National Theatre, where you can join the heated debate on its divisive architecture

By the end of this 60-minute tour, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of London’s dynamic history and a new appreciation for its hidden corners and famous landmarks. Whether you’re a seasoned Londoner or a first-time visitor, this tour will leave you with lasting memories and stories to share.