London Photo Walk

We met at the Diana Fountain in Green Park on a warm but comfortable Sunday morning, ready to begin our much-anticipated London photo walk. With cameras in hand and a relaxed pace set, we strolled through the park to our first destination: Buckingham Palace.

Here, we joined the crowds gathered for the Changing of the Guard and captured some striking images. The palace looked magnificent framed by vibrant summer flowerbeds and a deep blue sky, while the King’s Guard marched impressively into view, adding a touch of regal drama to our shots.

From there, we entered the natural haven of St. James’s Park. The wildlife did not disappoint—parakeets, nenes, greylag geese, black swans, tufted ducks, and moorhens made for some exciting photographic opportunities. We paused on the Blue Bridge, which offered a fantastic perspective of Buckingham Palace across the lake, and continued along a shaded path where curious squirrels posed up close, seemingly unfazed by our presence.

Next stop: Horse Guards Parade. Passing under the grand archway, we emerged onto Whitehall, where a half marathon was in full swing. We captured exhausted runners pushing through to the finish line, framed by refreshing water sprays. We also paused to photograph the Women of World War II memorial and the Cenotaph—two powerful reminders of history and sacrifice. A quick stop at Downing Street allowed for a few shots through the gates, with the ever-watchful armed guards standing by.

Turning the corner, we were greeted by the unmistakable sight of the Elizabeth Tower—commonly referred to as Big Ben. Here we took our first break, enjoying drinks outside St. Stephen’s Tavern, directly opposite the iconic clock tower.

Refreshed, we crossed Westminster Bridge to the south bank of the Thames and spent time at the National Covid Memorial Wall. The thousands of individually hand-painted red hearts—each one a tribute to a life lost—created a moving and deeply reflective photographic moment. From here, we also captured classic views of the Houses of Parliament, with passing boats adding dynamism to the frame.

A short 10-minute walk brought us to Leake Street Arches, beneath Waterloo Station. Known as London’s longest legal graffiti wall, this ever-evolving space offered a burst of colour and creativity—an entirely different visual atmosphere from earlier in the day.

Just around the corner, we enjoyed a well-earned lunch break at a nearby pub, before heading towards the London Eye and continuing along the vibrant South Bank. We photographed street performers (including one daring man balancing upside down on a stack of books), a colourful fairground ride, and young skateboarders pulling off impressive tricks at the Southbank Centre—perfect for fast shutter action shots.

As we walked further, we passed second-hand book stalls, city beaches, and riverside scenery, all with a cooling breeze off the Thames making it a pleasure to explore. Reaching the Millennium Bridge, we captured elegant views of St Paul’s Cathedral to the north and London’s skyline to the east—including The Shard, Tower Bridge, the Walkie Talkie, and more.

Crossing the bridge gave us a chance for close-up shots of the Cathedral, before ending the walk at the nearby Reflection Garden. Here, we took some standout images of St Paul’s dome mirrored beautifully in the water. As a final treat, we ascended to the 6th floor of One New Change shopping centre, where panoramic views of the cathedral and surrounding cityscape offered a fitting conclusion to our photographic journey.

All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable day—full of variety, inspiration, and some truly memorable photographic moments. Below is a selection of photos from the day.

Blog written by Damon Mitchell