Let’s Draw Westminster and St Thomas on Saturday 15th June 2024
In June, our sketchwalk takes us to the serene and reflective National Covid Memorial Wall, located across the River Thames from the Houses of Parliament. On June 15th, witness the grandeur of the King’s official birthday celebration and Trooping the Colour fly-by, as tourists flock to capture perfect shots of Big Ben, the London Eye and the picturesque surroundings of St Thomas’ Hospital Garden. Led by Helen Hayhoe and Sasala Wickramasinghe
Key times and Meeting Points
11.00: Meet at the National Covid Memorial Wall on the Thames Path on the south bank of the river Thames, South of Westminster Bridge Queen’s Walk past the London Eye, past Westminster Bridge, and onto the quiet path by the river.
You can find our meeting point using What3Words location: ///adults.first.point
1 pm: We will meet at the same place to share our work and for a group photo.
An RAF fly-by is due to take place at that time, so will plan to enjoy that during our throwdown.
3.30 pm: We will meet at the same place to share our work and for a group photo.
Afterwards: The Windmill Pub, 44 Lambeth High Street, London SE1 7JS
Options for drawing
The Covid Memorial Wall offers an excellent view across the river to The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben and should be a quieter location.
Behind you is St Thomas’s Hospital and nearby is the iconic London Eye and the brutalist South Bank Centre.
St Thomas Hospital has lovely gardens with seating.
Walk across Westminster Bridge and plunge into the crowded excitement of the tourist attraction that is Westminster. Visit Victoria Gardens where you can see Rodin’s Burghers of Calais sculpture.
June 15th is the King’s official birthday. Trooping the Colour is a spectacular parade that moves between Buckingham Palace, The Mall, and Horseguards’ Parade between 10.30 and 1 pm. This should not be a problem for our location but public transport may be busy. We should have a good view of the flypast by the Royal Air Force which will take place at 1.00 pm.
Practical information
Travel
Transport links are excellent and include Waterloo mainline station and Embankment and Westminster tube stations. For help with your journey, follow the link here.
Toilets
Toilets are available in cafes and also across the river in Westminster tube station (50p coin needed) and also at Westminster Millenium Pier. The toilets at Embankment Station may still be being refurbished.
Food and Drink
There are plenty of places to eat nearby and There is a coffee stall at Lambeth Pier at the end of the Covid wall and Costa Coffee near the end of Westminster Bridge. This is the site of the beautiful and historic Lambeth Palace.
If it pours with rain, some shelter is to be found under the trees along the Embankment. On the South Bank at the foot of Westminster Bridge is the Marriot Hotel which has sheltered outdoor space, and over the bridge at Westminster station there is a sheltered colonnade opposite Big Ben. Bring brollies!
Please let us know if you have any additional needs or questions.
We look forward to seeing you there!
