• From Victoria Tower, cross Abingdon Street to Old Palace Yard and College Mews…

In front of you is the Jewel Tower from 1365 –1366, built to house King Edward III’s personal treasure. To the right is a fine Georgian house of 1756, best seen from the front. As you walk past St Margaret’s Church, built between 1482 and 1523, note the head of Charles I over the doorway — looking across the road at Oliver Cromwell, leader of the Parliamentarians against the monarchy, and a signatory to the Royal execution.   ///shins.sides.chill

• Continue past the statue of King George V...

Note the bronze dial plaque set into the pavement showing Greenwich mean time, followed by various dates, e.g. "21 June", on either side of a central line.  It was placed here to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2002.

• Cross over Great College Street and turn into Little College Street until you turn right into Great Peter Street…

• Turn left into Lord North Street…

This short street has some fine examples of Georgian terraced houses and is named after the 2nd Earl of Guilford, who was known for most of his life under his courtesy title Lord North and was Prime Minister from 1770 to 1782.

As you walk down look to your left to see a relic from World War II - directions to an underground shelter ainted on the wall!

• The end of this street opens out into Smith Square where stands St John’s Church.

This Grade I listed church was designed by Thomas Archer. Completed in 1728 it's regarded as one of the finest works of English Baroque architecture. When Archer asked the Queen what she wanted it to look like she kicked over her footstool and said 'Like that!', so it's often referred to as 'Queen Anne's Footstool'  - hence the building's four corner towers. Firebombed in World War II it was restored as a concert venue.   ///title.owners.cheeks

• Turn right into Smith Square...