London: Off the Beaten Path

Filed in archive Free Museums on June 2, 2008

When I got off the Underground at the london bridge Station, I noticed a queue that extended for blocks on end. "Pray tell, what is this?" I wondered. It turned out, these eager folks were more than willing to spend 20 pounds to enter the London Dungeon Museum. Good grief! As if London was not expensive enough!

The irony here, is the fact that the one thing that mitigates the expense of a trip to London is its free attractions and museums, such as the British Museum and Tate Modern. That said, my favorite London attraction is far from the madding crowd. It's a little placed called Postman's Park.

Postman's Park was created by Victorian painter George Watts. In 1187, Watts wrote a letter to the Times, suggesting that a park commemorating the memory of those who lost their lives while saving others would be the perfect idea for Queen Victoria's Jubilee Year. Sadly, his idea failed to attract any backers. Not to be discouraged, he created the monument himself. Postman's Park should definitely be added to your "must visit" list.