Team Wanderlust | 24 February 2019

Portrait of London: 15 captivating photos of the Big Smoke

Travel photographer Steve Vidler captures the heart of London with these stunning snaps, that show multiple sides to the city you may not have seen before...

7 mins
“Popularly known as Beefeaters, the Yeomen Warders at the Tower of London are all former servicemen...The word Beefeater might be connected with the fact that their pay once included large rations of beef.”
Tower of London, Yeoman Warders aka Beefeaters in state dress (Steve Vidler)

Tower of London, Yeoman Warders aka Beefeaters in state dress (Steve Vidler)

Guards preparing for the daily Changing of the Guard Ceremony at Buckingham Palace (Steve Vidler)

Guards preparing for the daily Changing of the Guard Ceremony at Buckingham Palace (Steve Vidler)

“Accompanied by military music and shouted commands, the dazzlingly-dressed guards in their red tunics, tall bearskin hats and polished black boots perform parade ground marches that define the phrase “military precision"”
Trooping the colour (Steve Vidler)

Trooping the colour (Steve Vidler)

Big Ben at dusk (Steve Vidler)

Big Ben at dusk (Steve Vidler)

“Once a royal palace and former residence of kings, which was rebuilt in its present form in 1870, the Palace of Westminster contains nearly 1,200 rooms, 100 staircases and well over 3 kilometres of passages. Not surprising that some members of parliament sometimes seem a little lost!”
The Palace of Westminster (Steve Vidler)

The Palace of Westminster (Steve Vidler)

Tower Bridge and fireworks (Steve Vidler)

Tower Bridge and fireworks (Steve Vidler)

“The Tower Bridge has been described as London’s trademark. It takes about a minute for the road platforms (bascules), each weighing 1,200 tons, to be raised to their maximum 86 degrees to allow a large ship to pass underneath.”
Tower bridge at dawn (Steve Vidler)

Tower bridge at dawn (Steve Vidler)

Tate Britain, young visitors (Steve Vidler)

Tate Britain, young visitors (Steve Vidler)

Leadenhall Market and Lloyds Building (Steve Vidler)

Leadenhall Market and Lloyds Building (Steve Vidler)

Trafalgar Square (Steve Vidler)

Trafalgar Square (Steve Vidler)

Covent Garden, juggler and audience (Steve Vidler)

Covent Garden, juggler and audience (Steve Vidler)

“In the centre of the city, Covent Garden Market, which is very popular with tourists, is more of a place to eat and drink and hang out than fossick for bargains. Located in the neoclassical building of London’s former premier wholesale fruit and vegetable market, there are plenty of smart shops, bars and restaurants here, many with outside seating, and street performers and buskers providing entertainment.”
“...The south bank of the Thames is a place to see and be seen, to stroll and survey the street life and street performers…”
The South Bank, busker/ street performer (Steve Vidler)

The South Bank, busker/ street performer (Steve Vidler)

Participants in the annual Nottinghill Carnival parade (Steve Vidler)

Participants in the annual Nottinghill Carnival parade (Steve Vidler)

“Ceremonies, pageants and festivals are part of London’s rich and colourful history. As the
capital has grown and the years have passed, more and more of them have been added to the
diary... Sometimes we forget why we had them
in the first place!”
The annual Lord's Mayor parade (Steve Vidler)

The annual Lord's Mayor parade (Steve Vidler)

Participants in the annual Gay Pride parade (Steve Vidler)

Participants in the annual Gay Pride parade (Steve Vidler)

Portrait of London 2nd edition published by Crimson (Steve Vidler)

Portrait of London 2nd edition published by Crimson (Steve Vidler)

From the hidden corners of the capital to the world famous landmarks, Portrait of London brings together professional photographer Steve Vidler's intimate knowledge of London. The beautifully presented hardback book provides images that capture the essence of the city alongside an entertaining and informative commentary by Derek Davies.

Steve Vidler has been travelling for over 40 years and sees the world as his studio. Over the years he has built up a vast portfolio and popular reputation as a successful photographer.

Derek Davies is a freelance travel writer and photographer with extensive experience. He has written travel books on Thailand, the Greek Islands, Ireland, Turkey, Ecuador, Great Britain, and Hong Kong.

Learn more 

 

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