Since we have been looking at the exterior of St Mary Aldermary church, we went inside which has fan vaulting in keeping with the Gothic exterior elements.

The church also runs a cafe.

It was a good place to sketch.

After we looked around the small streets nearby. Below more of the exterior of St Mary Aldermary.

A few steps away is St Mary-le-Bow which has the third tallest spire in London. It is known for its bells which are in the nursery rhyme “Oranges and Lemons”.

Tradition holds that anyone born within earshot of the bells of St Mary-le-Bow is a true Londoner or a Cockney.

There has been a church on the site since the time of William the Conqueror but as the plaque below explains, the current church was a Christopher Wren design which has been reconstructed after it was bombed in WWII.

We walked around the nearby streets, some have views of St Pauls

some charming little alleyways leading to shops and pubs.

Had a quick pub lunch

Walked to the Globe Theatre crossed Upper Thames Street

over the Southwark Bridge

Looking northeast

Looking south with the StrataSE1 tower in the distance

We sat in the middle balcony

Before the play began, auditions were being held on stage.

Some of the audience who auditioned were brought on stage during various parts of the play, which had a lot of audience participation. This staging of the play brought in contemporary elements, particularly in the songs and the casting displayed a lot of diversity.

View out the window of the Globe

After the play we strolled a bit to get the circulation back. We had seat cushions but the wooden benches were hard. Below are part of the ruins of Southwark Cathedral.

View along the walkway

We had dinner at the Swan at the Globe, a restaurant nearby the Globe.