After breakfast at Carlo's next door to the Hotel we set off for the Churchill War Rooms. This 'secret' bunker was where Churchill and his government and armed service leaders planned and led Britain to victory over Germany in WWII. It has only been opened up in recent times and gives a fascinating view of what it must have been like. Certainly very cramped, dim and noisy with most people sleeping there as well. Luckily we finished just as a huge school party arrived!
Next stop was the Household Cavalry Museum. We weren't intending to go there but, having walked across Horseguards Parade, it was right there just beckoning us to go in. It is quite a small museum and covers the history of the Lifeguards and the Blues & Royals - it's well worth a visit. Out front there was the usual throng of tourists getting their pictures taken next to one of the two mounted guardsmen. I'll bet they love it when someone gets bitten by a horse. The actual guarding seemed to be being done by policemen in full protective gear plus sub-machine gun!
By now (2pm or so) we were a bit worn out. We retired to a nearby pub for a scotch egg (made with haggis) for Miriam and a Cumberland Sausage roll for me. After our large breakfast we weren't particularly hungry but we both needed a sit down.
The third stop for the day was the Banqueting House. The building is the only remaining part of Whitehall Palace which Henry VIII built. The rest of it burnt down in the late 17th century. The building is being renovated so was a bit underwhelmimg inside with the all the windows covered over. The audio guide helped explain how it was used over the last few centuries. The ceiling is covered by three massive and six smaller paintings by Peter Paul Rubens.
With all the walking, Miriam was pretty worn out, however, we still felt we had one visit left in us. On to the tube and off to Kennington (south of the river near the Oval). This is where you find the Beefeater Gin Distillery. It was about a 1km to walk from the station and we only just made it in time for the last tour of the day. There is a small museum explaining the history of gin in London and the establishment of 'proper' Gin distillers. Then a quick tour explaining how they make the entire Beefeater Gin production using 5 large stills. Finally(!), we all got a large Gin and Tonic in the bar. A very nice way to finish the day.
It was then back on the tube and off to Southwark, Miriam didn't feel like going out for dinner so we bought some supplies from the convenience store near the Hotel and had nibbles and a beer in our room. Breaking her rule of not doing so, Miriam watched an episode of Coronation Street!! Shock horror, we didn't recognise at least half of the characters!!