This past Saturday I went on a tour with Isobel through the Elephant and Castle, which is located in the London Borough of Southwark. It was my fifth tour with Isobel. She’s a blue badge guide and knows her stuff. I only wish I had a better memory to share all of the tidbits with you. If you are in the London area or if you plan on visiting London, I highly recommend her. On her website she has a list of her upcoming tours. I know I plan on going on a few during the summer.
As I exited the Tube station I enjoyed all of the murals on the walls.
The outside of the station.
As for the Elephant the neighborhood is delightful. So many of the residential areas made me wish I had the money for a down payment on a flat.
The Albert Terrace neighborhood:
West Square Gardens:
Charlie Chaplin lived here when he was a boy
When I first saw the Metro Central Heights I thought that is was quite unattractive. Apparently I’m not alone. According to our guide, Ian Fleming, the author of the Bond novels, hated the building and named his villain after the architect Erno Goldfinger.
The Imperial War Museum. Currently the museum is closed but plans to reopen in July. I can’t wait to go back and explore inside.
The Strata:
Nicknamed The Razor.
This neighborhood is one of the most delightful places to stroll through. It may not be on the top of your list when you visit London, but you may want to give it a chance to wow you. It did me.
Random shots from the neighborhood:
50 Year Project 
We went to the Imperial War Museum – it was awesome. My son loves history, especially military stuff, and when we walked in the front door his jaw just about hit the floor. He never stopped snapping pictures the entire time we were there, and he doesn’t even like to take photos LOL!! When you go, make sure you check out the trenches – they are creepy! It smells and feels like you are actually in the trenches.
The trenches! That sounds cool. Not sure I want to know the smell though. Must be a boy thing 😉
It just added to the authentic feel LOL!
From what I hear about trench warfare–it was brutal. I can’t wait to see this museum. Next year marks the 100 year anniversary of the start of WWI
Wonderful place to visit. I can see spring is there. I noted this tour guide. Thank you dear TBM, love, nia
Spring is starting to make an appearance. Today is a beautiful, sunny day. Not too warm yet, but I’m loving the sun!
The museum sounds so interesting!
I love Charlie Chaplin’s home! And the neighborhood 🙂
I really liked Chaplin’s neighborhood.
Made interesting read. My son was in London for six months, a few years ago. He clicked photos at Baker Street and at a building that stand on the Greenwich Line.
I need to spend more time in the Baker street area–haven’t really explored too much there. I hope your son enjoyed his stay.
Wow—that looks amazing and I can’t wait to see and read what the museum holds when you go back. Awesome. Loved the murals !
I’m excited to see the inside of the museum. Will do my best to share photos
“So many of the residential areas made me wish I had the money for a down payment on a flat.”
so many of your photographs make me feel the same way. you make london sound like the perfect home. 🙂 i’d love to have adam dalgliesh’s flat over-looking the thames as described in the p.d. james mystery novels.
I haven’t read P D James in years. Maybe I should since I can’t remember his flat. The name rings a bell, but I want to visualize the flat.
Your work has rescued me from a truly empty Monday, my friend. Thank you.
I hope the rest of your week picks up
Thank you for all the photos…I got to know more about England from you 🙂
I love those painting or what you called murals…they are such a great sight.
I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. I love exploring England and sharing photos.
Those murals are lovely! Somehow didn’t expect to see murals in London 🙂
I’ve seen a few. So many of The Tube stops have their own style. It’s fun to see the differences. I’ll try to take more photos to show them.
Some of those houses are lovely! Think they might be a tad expensive for me – perhaps if I started saving a L O N G time ago!! Oh well.
Lynn 😀
Yeah I’m pretty sure these places are out of my price range and putting 25% down right at the start is a problem as well. But I can dream!
Thanks for the tourguide recommendation.
This tour looks fascinating.
I learned a lot about the area and the guide is always informative and friendly.
So much to see!
Yes! It’s a lovely area.
i can understand why you would like to have a flat there. some of those buildings are breathtaking.
Now I need to find a million dollars.
This post puts my morning in perspective, and some of the comments were the icing. 😉
Thank you for visiting me this morning, TBM.
I’m glad you enjoyed it Lynda. It’s a beautiful area.
I love the Metro Central Heights, and you took a fantastic photo of it! 😀