London and Around
Prathamesh Dixit shares his photographic experiences of the city
Prathamesh is a professional travel photographer based in Nashik, Maharashtra. Being a creative soul from the beginning, bits and pieces of arts always fascinated him and thus with the desire of creating something of his own, his photographic journey began in 2013. The Kumbhmela of 2015 was the turning point of his expedition where he realised his true potential and zeal for the art. Now his camera is always in search of serene landscapes, magical cityscapes, storydriven culture and characters around us. His work has been acknowledged in international platforms such as International Photography Awards IPA, Black and White Spider Awards, and International Color Awards along with photographic exhibitions in cities such as Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune and Nashik. More of his work can be viewed on www.prathameshdixit.com.
About THE CITY
There would be hardly anybody from cities across the world who do not know about this amazing place. Travellers put this place on top of their bucket list and dreamers plan their future here. It is known as the ‘Mecca of Cricket’ character of consulting detective - Sherlock
Holmes spent his life. Yes yes, you guessed it right, the capital of England - London! We are about to go on a ride of this city in a different manner here. Let me start with an interesting fact before that. Did you know that London was originally found by the Romans in 43 AD? Yes, its true. During that time, it was known as Londinium. Before being named London, it was also fondly known as Ludenwic, Ludenberg etc. The name ‘London’ is actually derived from the Celtic word ‘Londinous’ which means ‘to be bold’ and no doubt this city proves so!
Today, London is one of the most important cities in the world. It is also one of the most desirable, powerful, world. It is the heart of tourism, arts, commerce, education, fashion & lifestyle. Infact, I won’t have to say any further on how famous the city is if I say that the Heathrow airport welcomes a plane every 45 seconds! Due to diverse settlements over the years, today, there are more than 300 languages being used in London. So when I say traveling to London is real fun and a life-long memory to cherish, I really mean it. If London is not into your list yet, I am sure you will add it by end of this article.
London city is settled on the banks of the heart of the city and covers some iconic places across its bank. Over the ages, the city has still managed to protect this river and it is still a mode of transport for ships and boats traveling across places.
Did you know that London has about 170 museums across the city? Though London is famous for its modern lifestyle and fashion, it also carries a rich history most of which can be seen through these museums.
Millennium bridge
It is the well known suspension bridge across Thames river in between St. Paul’s cathedral and Bank of Globe theatre. The bridge offers a chance to enjoy the view on both sides of the river and I must say, the view of the tower bridge is an absolute delight from here!
221B, Baker Street
If you are like me, I don’t need to explain this address. But if you are not, you would have surely heard the name character by Arthur Conan Doyle. The address of Sherlock Holmes was never a part of initial stories, however, as the journey progressed, 221 B, Baker Street became his identity. The character became so famous that today the address of Sherlock actually exists and it is a dream place for serious Sherlock fans like me.
Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf is one of the biggest world. Around 105,000 people work here everyday and it is home to the headquarters of some world-renowned Wharf even has its own international airport which connects 30 destinations. Now you can imagine how iconic this
Buckingham Palace
This place needs no introduction for London Travellers. The Buckingham Palace is the pride of royal history and home of the royal family. The palace features 775 rooms 78 are bathrooms, 52 are royal and guest bedrooms and is at Home. Buckingham Palace is a town in itself as it hall, health clinic and many more. The famous ‘change of guard’ still happens everyday and people can witness the ceremony here. The complete tour of Buckingham Palace takes around 2 hours, so, wise planning is required while visiting the palace. Don’t forget to check it out when you visit London.
Windsor Castle
Windsor castle is another piece of royal history. Till date, it hosts many royal ceremonies and historic moments. If is the place. If you are good at old time chores, Windsor castle probably has the job opportunity for you. Today, more than 500 people live and work in Windsor castle. In all likelihood it is the only castle with so many people settled inside. Speaking about the history of the place, did you know that the royal family took shelter in the Castle during World War II? It is rumoured that Adolf Hitler did not want to destroy the castle because he wanted to make Elizabeth II) took advantage of that knowledge and hid inside secretly.
Guard on duty at
Buckingham palace, London
Around LONDON
Well, I had to cover this place for the sheer fact that it is one of the oldest of Bologna and it is just one and a half hour away from London. The fastest and easiest commute is train. This university trained some of the world’s best talents. Even if I am not one of them, nobody has restricted me from visiting it, right? Let me tell you that Oxford university is not just a single college or institution as I had imagined. In fact the complete around 39 colleges and holds around 300 graduation programs to choose from. Another fun fact - Did you know that Oxford has more bicycle users than any other mode of transport? You will be surely fascinated while roaming around the town. Every alley, corner, road or
Durdle Door
Durdle Door is another secret gateway to London and by far one of my favourite destinations. It is about 3 hours away from London but is totally worth the travel. Durdle door is a natural limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast near Lulworth in Dorset, England. Tour buses are available from London if you plan on visiting this heritage site. Walking down from a cliff towards the never ending aqua coloured sea is an experience to cherish alone, while no one is watching, so try avoiding the crowd!
Cuisine and Lifestyle
Being a settlement site for multiple communities, you can experience all kinds of cuisine around the city. But when it comes to enjoying food and life, english people are the best. They know exactly how to spend their weekends. You will never miss seeing the english crowd enjoying their evenings and discussing life on the street cafes or bars here. Cricket is major part of the culture and you will see many english men on the cricket grounds playing for some club or even around their houses during summers. The city is full of energy and vibrance. Places like Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Street are a must for such experiences. Just like the other iconic cities of the world, London never sleeps! However, if you are like me, I would encourage you to travel towards the country side of London. It is equally beautiful and gives you some unique experiences.
All in all, London is not just about the monuments and other tourist attractions. It is a city with its own story and vibe. As a traveller, it is important to look out for such experiences. These images are surely a mirror view of my soul while traveling around in London. As a tip to photographers, all I can say is to look out for different perspectives. Look out for local stories. Look out for interesting facts. Do a little bit of digital piece. Make each image your own art. Travel photography is a search, a search for your soul at unknown places. It is a search for your own stories. Make sure to build such experiences!