I had already included London in my #50places2025 list, but London is a big place.
Recently I did another day trip to London, and this time one of the places we visited was Canary Wharf. In the past I would rarely visit East London, as it was such a trek from Paddington or the centre of London. However the Elizabeth Line now makes it really quick and easy to get to that side of London now.
Canary Wharf is a modern suite of tower blocks with food courts, shopping arcades, a sky garden, and lovely views of the Thames.
In 2025 I have planned to visit a minimum of fifty places. Each time I visit a place I will post a blog post and some photographs.
Of the many places across the UK, I actually visit London quite a lot. I have made a trip to London at least ten times this year already. However, all those trips have been for work, either meetings in out London office, or events and conference. However in May we travelled to London for a show in the West End. We went to see Mischief Comedy’s production The Comedy About Spies.
When a rogue British agent pilfers plans for a top-secret weapon, CIA and KGB spies converge on London’s Piccadilly Hotel in pursuit of the elusive file. Add to the mix a clueless young couple, a hapless actor angling for the role of James Bond, and enough double agents to confuse even the sharpest operative, and you’ve got a mission that’s hilariously out of control.
In the past we have enjoyed their productions of The Play that Goes Wrong, and The Comedy About a Bank Robbery. However in both those productions there was none of the original cast. This time The Comedy About Spies had just opened and had the original founded members of Mischief cast in the various roles.
It was an excellent production and I did laugh all the way through the play.
Afterwards we went for a bite to eat before walking along the banks of the Thames.
We then headed back to the station for the journey home.
This was only my third visit to Parliament. I was there for a breakfast briefing on the terrace. I had been inside in the Houses of Parliament only twice before. Once back in the 1970s when my primary school was threatened by closure and a group of us, pupils, parents, and teachers went to discuss this in parliament. My second visit was in the early 2000s when I worked at at-Bristol (now called We The Curious) and we were meeting some parliamentarians. I actually drove to the Houses of Parliament through the building, and parked underneath.
I went through the visitor entrance and on the way to security is a statue of Oliver Cromwell.
I was a little surprised, as though Cromwell championed Parliament against the monarchy, I did wonder if his legacy was a little toxic.
It was then into security before walking through Westminster Hall. Westminster Hall is a medieval great hall which is part of the Palace of Westminster. It was constructed in 1097 for William II, at which point it was the largest hall in Europe. It is an impressive space.
I then made my way to the Central Lobby (photography not allowed). I joined the queue and made my way to the terrace for a breakfast briefing.
After the event I walked back the way I came in. I had enjoyed the visit to Parliament.
