NO.36 Embankment

NO.36 Embankment

Stroll from the Thames past the finest secondhand bookshops and into the nation's Portrait Gallery.

TUBE: Embankment

Look right as soon as you enter bustling Villiers Street. The Embankment Gardens has deck chairs for rent in the summer. Just past teh park descend into Gordon's Wine Bar(#47), which serves homemade Port in an intimate cavelike atmosphere. Cross the Strand and turn left along Duncannon Street. Glance right to see the coffin-shaped memorial to Oscar Wilde. A few steps ahead is a staircase descending to the crypt at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, where you can stop for a cup of tea in its cozy caf'e. Continue on Duncannon and veer right on St. Martin's Lane toward the National Gallery that looks over Trafalgar Square. In addition to the beautiful rows of portraiture, visit the swank Portrait Restaurant on the third floor, which offers a fine view of Westminster Abbey. Turn left up St. Martin's Lane, past the English National Opera and, beside it. Brydges Place, perhaps the narrowest passage in Great Britain. A few doors up, through chic revolving doors, is the St. Martin's Lane Hotel(#45), designed by Philippe Starck. Those with sturdy legs can have a drink at the standing bar. A left on St. Martin's Court leads to Charing Cross Road. Turn right and walk past the row of secondhand bookshops, including Murder One(#71-73) for crime enthusiasts. Turn right on Litchfield Street past The Ivy (1-5 West Street), one of London's most exclusive eateries. Up ahead is the glowing sign for The Mousetrap, the world's longest running play, at the St. Martin's Theatre. Poke your head into the lobby to see if they've reached performance 25,000. Take a left on West Street and another left on Charing Cross and you're back at the Leicester Square tube station.

Walking just over three cards... you're too lazy..