Song of London

As the titles appear accompanied by the Mike Sammes Singers, the viewer follows new arrivals to Britain on their journey from London Airport. The Oceanic Terminal, now Terminal 3 at London Airport in Hillingdon, Middlesex with one of Stefan Knapp's mural panels to the left.

A taxi drops the Tourists at their hotel where narrator David de Keyser takes over "London, thou art the Flower of Cities all, Gemme of all Joy, Jasper of Jocunditie." Dave W recognises 'The Washington Mayfair Hotel', Curzon Street , W1 looking north east such that we can see Clarges Street running off to the right. (RL)

London "spreads itself at the feet of a new arrival, the web of bricks and mortar that Londoners have built." A view of Westminster from the Shell Centre which includes Millbank Tower, Lambeth Bridge, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Bridge.

"This has been their city for close on two thousand years now. Their numbers have grown with it and now they swarm in Trafalgar Square like the pigeons." Trafalgar Square in WC2 with Pall Mall East to the top left.

"With the National Gallery behind them to remind them of the arts, and the statue of Nelson to recall heroic deeds." Horatio Nelson at the top of the monument named after him in Trafalgar Square.

This is the view from the south-west looking north-east. SJ

"Wherever in the world they go, in their cockney hearts, home is always London" . . . Tommy Trinder begins to sing "I Can Do Without London". Looking towards the corner of Strand with South Africa House to the left and Grand Buildings on the right.

A slight cheat, moving further east, to show what remains of the balustrade on the north side after alterations in 2003. Comparison 8 has a more exact spot. SJ

As Tommy's song continues, shots of his surroundings fill the screen. Trafalgar Square with St. Martin-in-the-Fields church on the left.

The view looking north-east. SJ

Facing the corner of Strand and Northumberland Avenue in WC2.

This is where part of the north balustrade was removed in 2003 for easier access to the National Gallery behind me. SJ

A Marching Band take up the tune. The Mall with the Queen Victoria Monument on the right.

Looking north-west from Spur Road. SJ

"Whether it's watching the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace . . . " Buckingham Palace on The Mall SW1.

This unusual angle is from the triangle of grass enclosed by Spur Road and Birdcage Walk. SJ

" . . . or swirling round with the big red buses in Piccadilly Circus, the streets of London are full of people." Piccadilly Circus W1.

Looking north-east with Shaftesbury Avenue centre-right and "Eros" repositioned. SJ

"You're looking at one of the oldest pieces of London still standing . . . beyond is the new London. Towering blocks for the city's business houses, old and new." The office blocks of London Wall in EC2.

"They ring the changes like the bells on the old song. But, old or new, they're all part of London." London Wall appears in many productions including 'The London Nobody Knows', 'Three Hats for Lisa’, 'Bartleby', ‘Ladies Who Do’, 'The Italian Job', ‘The Sandwich Man’, 'The Ballad of Tam Lin', ‘Life at the Top’, 'Sebastian' and ‘A Matter of Choice’.

The Mike Sammes Singers take over . . . cut to a view of St. Giles-without-Cripplegate church on Fore Street.

# Oranges and lemons, Say the bells of St. Clement's . . . St. Clement Danes church on Strand in WC2 with the junction of Aldwych to the left.

Unfortunately the spire is shrouded and a summer shot of the church would be obscured by trees at this angle but at least we have a red bus or two. SJ

# You owe me five farthings, Say the bells of St. Martin's. St. Martin's Place WC2 to the north-east of Trafalgar Square.

The camera was positioned at the once entrance, now viewing platform, of The National Gallery. SJ

"St. Paul's Cathedral, Christopher Wren's masterpiece." The dome of St. Paul's Cathedral in EC4

An unsatisfactory ground level shot has a couple of compensations with the same angle and bare trees which would have obscured the view a couple of weeks later. SJ

"Its dome still soaring above the surrounding roof tops." St. Paul's Churchyard and the West Front of St. Paul's Cathedral.

Again from ground level and a few steps to the right and back would have been preferable. SJ

"A place to live that anyone might be proud of . . . " Norley Vale in Roehampton SW15 with Westmark Point to the left and Cadnam Point in the right background.

John Harwood returned to the tree lined road.

" . . . Where London's County Council is making a new London of the future." To the left stands Fareham House on Dilton Gardens in Roehampton.

"Westminster Abbey, where the Kings and Queens of England have been crowned for nine hundred years." Westminster Abbey with an address on Dean's Yard SW1.

Spot the repair between the towers! SJ

The camera tilts down. The Sanctuary opposite the junction of Prince's Street, Tothill Street, Victoria Street and Broad Sanctuary.

Tilting down from ground level. SJ

"New Scotland Yard still whispers of the world's first police force and the mysteries of the CID, the Criminal Investigation Department." New Scotland Yard on Derby Gate SW1.

"Old Father Thames and . . . " With the Three Quays building on Lower Thames Street to the right, this is looking towards Tower Bridge as it crosses the River Thames from E1 to SE1.

". . . the Tower of London. Once a Roman fortress, Royal castle, prison, storehouse of the Crown Jewels, no other place in London can show you as much history within its walls." Moving left the camera finds the Tower of London in EC3.

# When will you pay me? Say the bells of Old Bailey. Looking north on Dorset Rise EC4 from outside the Rose & Crown public house at the corner of Hutton Street with St. Bride's church beyond the curved wall of Kildare House.

# When I grow rich, Say the bells of Shoreditch. The tower of the ruined Christchurch Greyfriars on King Edward Street in EC1.

# When will that be? Say the bells of Stepney. Seen from Great Tower Street, now Gloucester Court, this is All Hallows-by-the-Tower church on Byward Street EC3.

The background is rising. SJ

# I'm sure I don't know, Says the great bell of Bow. Looking up at the tower of St Mary-le-Bow church on Cheapside in EC2.

A tree and a roof extension are the only changes here. SJ

"A fine sunny morning and what to do?" The Clifton-Ford Hotel at the corner of Welbeck Street and Bulstrode Street W1.

"The answer might be to go out ad look for something you've always wanted." Facing the John Lewis department store on Oxford Street W1.

"A hat? A house? A piece of Georgian silver? A browse round a department store? The only problem is that of choice or, perhaps, how to get the things home!" Regent Street W1 with number 100 to the extreme left.

Some refurbishment on the right mars this shot. SJ

Another song by Tommy Trinder accompanies scenes of People browsing antique and art shop windows in Chelsea. Stanley Leslie at 15 Beauchamp Place SW3.

Not the best angle at all, on reflection. SJ

Facing number 20 Beauchamp Place in Chelsea.

All the properties in this sequence are on the east side of the street. SJ

Betty Hope traded from 19 Beauchamp Place.

Panning left. SJ

Outside number 16 Beauchamp Place in Chelsea SW3.

And again. The street is also seen in To Catch a Spy, The Tyburn Case, Britannia Mews, Morgan and The Inn Way Out. SJ

Looking towards Wilbraham Place from Sloane Street SW3.

Sloane Street with number 159 on the left and the corner Wilbraham Place to the right.

"You may be looking for something to fill the inner man. If so, welcome to the temple of greed." Facing north-east from outside Harrods on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge SW3.

"For the eight million or so Londoners who aren't lunching in a plush restaurant, there are plenty of other places in which to eat pleasantly." The Doves public house at 19 Upper Mall in Hammersmith W6.

Taken from above the river by John Harwood who spotted a chimney stack missing.

"The River Thames has always been the main highway running through London. The city owes its existence to the river." Looking up river from outside the Doves with the chimney of Hammersmith Pumping Station to the centre.

The vista now by John Harwood.

Skipper of a Thames sailing barge Bob Roberts plays his accordion and sings "The London Waterman". This appears to be Chambers Wharf overlooking the Upper Pool of the Thames in Bermondsey SE16 with Tower Bridge in the distance.

"The waterman and all his brothers are little more than a memory now but the river still holds its place. Water buses can take you for a trip down the Thames . . ." Looking north from Westminster Pier on Victoria Embankment SW1 with Shell-Mex House in the distance.

Taken from above the busy pier to show Shell-Mex in the distance. SJ

". . . giving a new perspective to old landmarks." A pan right brings SE1's Shell Centre on Belvedere Road and County Hall into frame.

Another slightly elevated view now dominated by the London Eye, opened as the Millennial Wheel. SJ

Views from the river are accompanied by Bob Roberts continuing his song. # Till there come a young goose girl from Stratford St. Mary, And she wanted taking to Farringdon Fair . . . Beneath Lambeth Bridge on the River Thames with the House of Parliament ahead.

# But she had not the ha'penny to pay for a wherry, And stood on the steps in her pretty despair. Facing the Whitehall Gardens Building of the Air Ministry and the Board of Trade.

The view west from just south of Waterloo Bridge. SJ

# But she sang so sweet, she sang so merry, He put her and all of her geese in his wherry, Passing beneath Waterloo Bridge, dating from 1942.

# And her pretty face was the fare for the ferry, As he rowed her over to Farringdon Fair. Looking towards Somerset House on Strand WC2.

A couple of buildings have since crept into the skyline at this angle. SJ

# They was married next May time in Stratford St. Mary; And now they have waterman one, two, three, four. A long lost view, St. Paul's Cathedral seen between the wharves and warehouses of Upper Thames Street.

The new, well, from 1998 onwards, bridge necessitates off angle from the river but an alternative shot would be more direct from the Millennium Bridge. SJ

# And they feather their oars with such skill and dexterity, Rowing the people from shore to shore. Seen through the Victorian London Bridge, downstream stands Tower Bridge.

# And they sing so sweet, they sing so merry, The couples all jostle to hire their wherry, The historic Tower of London with the White Tower, dating from the year 1078, rising above the trees.

# And everyone goes by the Blackfriars ferry, While he stays at home with a love of his own. Passing beneath the Grade I listed Tower Bridge.

"The river brought the sea up to London, the sea brought the whole wide world. Galleon, barks, full rigged ships sailed from here in search of adventure. The last of the tea clippers, the Cutty Sark, has found her final dock in Greenwich." The Cutty Sark at the meeting of Greenwich Church Street and King William Walk in Greenwich SE10.

"Greenwich Reach has been a stretch of the Thames familiar to generations of seamen . . . " Looking westward from Greenwich Park.

" . . . and down on the bank is the Royal Naval College in buildings designed for it by Christopher Wren." Facing north across Greenwich Park with the Queen's House and Royal Naval College beyond.

John Harwood provides this panorama showing a very changed background scene.

"On the hill above stands the most famous observatory in the world. Every clock on earth still ticks to Greenwich Mean Time." The Octagon Room of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich in SE10.

"In a wing of Kensington Palace you can learn more of London's past. This is London's own museum. " The southern aspect of Kensington Palace in Kensington Gardens W8.

A disappointing sight as restoration is ongoing. To be replaced. SJ

"Flowers, trees and water have something new to offer at all times of the year." Hyde Park Lido on the Serpentine in W2 with the London Hilton on Park Lane in the left distance.

Looking east from the Lido towards the Hilton. SJ

Leaves fall from summer branches bringing a change of season. Kensington Gardens with the spire of St. Mary Abbots church in the distance.

I had to compromise on the angle to ensure a view of the spire. SJ

Facing George Frederic Watts' Physical Energy statue in Kensington Gardens W2.

Children enjoy winter games in the park. Kensington Gardens with Kensington Gardens in the left distance.

A visit to a mirrored London pub and a colourful show at the Palladium heralds a return to the West End. Facing east at Piccadilly Circus with Shaftesbury Avenue to the centre.

Not too busy early in the morning. SJ

"Every night is an occasion for somebody. Whether it's a dinner for two over a bottle of wine in Soho or a gala premier in full evening dress and decorations." Looking eastward along Piccadilly towards Coventry Street.

The same direction at a very different time of day. SJ

"You can't really say it ever gets dark in London's West End." Outside the Columbia Cinema at the corner of Shaftesbury Avenue and Frith Street W1.

Now the Curzon Soho. SJ

"The theatre names light up the nigh making their own patterns of occasion and promise." The corner of Coventry Street and Oxendon Street with the Prince of Wales Theatre to the right and the Rialto cinema beyond.

The Rialto has become a casino while the Prince of Wales has hosted The Book of Mormon for well over ten years. SJ

Facing the Theatre Royal on Haymarket W1.

There was scaffolding to apply a fresh coat of paint on my first visit but it looks splendid now. SJ

Catherine Street WC2, looking up at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on the corner with Russell Street.

The Garrick Theatre on Charing Cross Road WC2.

A new canopy for The Garrick. SJ

"But by and large, Londoners can make their own entertainment." The southern side of Piccadilly Circus.

The Criterion survives but The White Bear Inn served its last pint in 1989 and was incorporated into the Criterion Theatre and Restaurant. SJ

"If you're still not ready for bed, you might try going to a night club." Shaftesbury Avenue with 'Breaking Point' on at the Lyric Theatre to the left.

The Lyric is now showing Hadestown. SJ

"Big hotels and intimate supper rooms are open to the wide awake . . . you can hear a 'Song of London' there too. Savoy Court, the entrance to the Savoy Hotel on Strand WC2.

At the Society Restaurant, Marion Ryan sings # That certain night, the night we met, There was magic abroad in the air, There were angels dining at the Ritz, And a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square . . . Berkeley Square in W1.

It was difficult to match the correct curve: this is taken at the south end. SJ

# The moon that lingered over London town, Poor puzzled moon, he wore a frown, How could he know we were so in love, The whole darn world seemed upside down . . . The corner of Berkeley Square and Charles Street.

From the south-west corner of the square. SJ

# The streets of town were paved with stars, It was such a romantic affair, And as we kissed and said goodnight, A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square. Through the darkness, numbers 47 to 45 Berkeley Square can be made out.

Not much easier in daytime either. SJ

The shelter in Berkeley Square also appears in '11 Harrowhouse'.

The shelter has not changed. SJ

A Couple walk into view holding hands. Facing numbers 6 to 9 Carlton House Terrace set back from The Mall in SW1.

# And as we kissed and said goodnight, A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square, I know, 'cause I was there, That night in Berkeley Square. The Horse Guards building standing between Whitehall and Horse Guards Parade in SW1.

The pair walk along the Thames before thy look up to see fireworks light up the sky. This appears to be a very dark Victoria Embankment in SW1.