Take London's Underground (subway) Northern line to the Archway Station. Walk through Waterloo Park and exit onto Swain's Lane to visit Highgate Cemetery. Perched on a hill, it's a working cemetery thoroughly restored by the Friends of Highgate Cemetery (FOHC) 20 years ago. Among the overgrown woodlands, catacombs and mausoleums lay the resting place of at least 850 well-known people, including Karl Marx, George Eliot and Charles Dickens. The cemetery has a Victorian romanticism in its architecture and statues. Follow the labyrinth of Egyptian crypts and witness the rows of stone angels swathed in ivy. For a small admissions fee, visitors are allowed to walk the east grounds and take photographs for personal use. Visit the Western Cemetery by guided tour only. Prior arrangements must be made with FOHC.
Capture the spirit of old London by taking a cruise along the River Thames. Exit Westminster Underground and board the ferry at Westminster Pier. Head for the front of the boat, as it fills quickly. Passengers are seated on long benches. Depending on the season, the wind can be sharp, so dress appropriately. Gain a new perspective of London life as you pass Parliament and Big Ben. Other famous sites include Lambeth Palace, Hampton Court and the Tower of London. The ferry makes two stops, one at Thames Launch in Kew Gardens. The gardens are about a 10-minute walk from the dock. The last stop is at Richmond which is a riverside town on the south of the Thames. It's a wonderful place for a picnic.
Hire a private charter narrow boat or hop on a London waterbus--another traditional working narrow boat--and travel along Regent's Canal which stretches from Paddington to Limehouse. This is a noteworthy way to see areas of London that cannot be viewed on foot. The canal starts at Little Venice, passes Maida Valle, and colorfully decorative houseboats along the way. Cruise through the Islington and Maida Hill tunnel. Glimpse Regency architecture and explore industrial history as you pass Primrose Hill and the bustling Camden Lock. Discover sections of London that would be missed if traveling by foot or other transportation. For the waterbus, take the red line to Paddington Station and walk toward Little Venice. If hiring a private charter, Google "London Canal Cruises."
