Passing under Blackfriars Railway Bridge, where the station is situated on the bridge and was opened in 2012.
Blackfriars Station
Sion Hall on the north bank is on the site of a theatre built by the Earl of Dorset and designed by Sir Christopher Wren following the Great Fire of London. The current building was built to house Sion College in 1886. It is now an office building.
Sion Hall
Sion Hall
Next door is the building which housed the City of London School from 1879 until 1986.
City of London School Building
On the opposite bank of the river is the Oxo building. Originally built as a power station, it was acquired by the makers of Oxo cubes to be converted into a cold-store. The Tower was added in 1928 during a major re-building. The words are actually formed by windows as there was a ban on advertising on the Skyline. After Oxo moved it out it remained empty for a number of years whilst arguments raged over whether it could be demolished or redeveloped. Eventually it was re-developed as accommodation, restaurants and shopping.
OXO Building
Waterloo Bridge
Now approaching Waterloo Bridge, I pass out of the city of London and enter the city of Westminster.
City of London boundary
Here HQS Wellington is moored. A WWII escort ship, she is now the headquarters of the Hon. Company of Master Mariners.
HMS Wellington 1942
HQS Wellington
On the opposite bank is the National Theatre.
National Theatre
Passing under Waterloo Bridge I approach Hungerford Bridge which carries the Southeastern Railway across the Thames to Charing Cross Station.
Hungerford Bridge
Here is Cleopatra’s Needle, an ancient Egyptian obelisk. The name is a misnomer as it dates from over 1000 years before Queen Cleopatra lived. It was erected here in 1877.
Cleopatra’s Needle
Arriving at Embankment Station its time to head off to my next meeting but a great way to spend a couple of spare hours.
