Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Victoria Embankment Gardens


A hundred plus years ago the London Tube was born. The London tube is the oldest and one of the most extensive transit systems in the world.  There are over 250 miles of track and about 200 stations.  1.2 billion people use the tube every year.  Is it any surprise that the stations are old, dreary and dirty?



 I don't think the view coming out of the Embankment Tube Station has changed much since it opened in 1870 except maybe that Starbucks you see!!  The station itself is a lot like many other stations in London - in need of a good power washing! There is a charming little flower market to the right of this station and a fruit seller on the left but that is about it until you walk a few yards to your right...


And you walk into this wonderful oasis in the middle of a very urban environment.

Started in 1864, the Embankment Gardens was considered an engineering marvel.  The major reason for creating the gardens was to camouflage the building of a sewer.  The Embankment reclaimed tidal lands and a wall was erected to protect against flooding.  The result was a wonderful win-win: a much needed cleaner system for removing waste and this gorgeous public garden!


This was a beautiful day!  The chairs are filled with people engaging with friends, sharing a lunch, enjoying the warmth of the sun.  After what has been the wettest summer since 1912; a dry, sunny day was just the excuse needed for shedding jackets, donning sunglasses and enjoying the sun!


And if you didn't bring your own nosh, there is a place to have a nibble.



Walking though the park you see people enjoying the table tennis games set up.  That's Robert Burns keeping watch on errant ping pong balls!

Cleopatra's Needle is visible through the trees.  There is a twin to this in New York.  And while they are Egyptian obelisks, they were already over 1000 years old in her lifetime.  Getting this obelisk to London was no small feat but that is a story for another blog!


Runners, nappers, lunchers - they are all here!


This is a tribute to the Imperial Camel Corps.  This was a camel mounted infantry brigade that served in the Middle East during WWI.



Beautiful gardens!


Wenlock was here!  These Olympic inspired beings are all over London.


And the behind-the-scenes heroes of this garden...


What a good use for old 10 speed bikes!


And all too soon it is time to leave and go back...


to this!!!



Love this park!  Grab a cuppa and enjoy!




1 comment:

  1. My husband works very near here so we both use this stop a lot. I've always loved the Embankment Garden, but even more so now that I get a little background on the area. I'm headed to London at the end of next week--hope to see some of you while I'm there.

    ReplyDelete