Saturday 16th July - The Globe Theatre, Tate Modern & Parliament

After the glorious sunshine of yesterday the rain clouds decided to make an appearance today.  Onto the coaches for our second trip to London and the Globe Theatre.

We were dropped off on the north side of the Thames so that we could walk across the Millennium Bridge towards the Globe.  This is a pedestrian bridge that gives great views of St Paul's Cathedral, the Tate Modern and Globe even in the rain!

                                                                  The Millennium Bridge

Once at the Globe we met our guides who took us into the theatre.  Based as faithfully as possible on Shakespeare's original Globe Theatre of the 17th century this is a working theatre with productions running from May to October.  The space is incredible and gives the actor and audience a very intimate feel.  After our tour we visit the exhibition all about Shakespeare and the theatre.

                                                                                     The Globe Theatre

Luckily we have our lunch under cover in the magnificent Turbine Hall of the Tate Modern.  This is the old Bankside Power Station now turned into a giant art gallery.  The Turbine Hall is massive and a good place to eat.  There is an hour to look around the gallery that contains a huge array of modern art.

                The Turbine Hall                                   The Tate Modern

We rejoin the coaches for the short drive to Westminster and the Houses of Parliament.  The rain has stopped and the wait in the line to get into the building is not too long.  Security checks are tight as this is the centre of power in British politics.

We meet our guide and proceed into the Palace of Westminster, designed in the medieval gothic style by Charles Barry in the 19th century.  We follow the route the Queen takes when she opens Parliament each November.  The House of Lords is resplendent in crimson and gold and the House of Commons plainer with its distinctive green colouring.  The tour is extremely informative and gives a real sense of history to this building and British politics.

                                                Waiting in line to enter the Palace of Westminster

We leave Parliament in more rain and head to the coaches.  After a long day it is good to get back to the campus but what a wonderful day it was.

                                           Statue of Oliver Cromwell with Big Ben in the background