Stroll through historic central London and discover some unusual sites
From London Waterloo station, exit to the South Bank and cross the Thames at the new and spectacular Hungerford Bridge to Embankment tube. Pass through the station and turn left along Embankment Place, then right into Craven Street. At number 32 is the plaque to the German romantic poet Heinrich Heine, who lived here in 1827, while 36 Craven Street is where American statesman and inventor Benjamin Franklin resided between 1757 and 1762. At the end of Craven Street, cross the Strand to St Martin's Lane, passing Trafalgar Square on your left. Opposite the Albery Theatre, at 61 St Martin's Lane, a plaque marks furniture maker Thomas Chippendale's workshop (1753-1813). Continue north up St Martin's Lane and turn left into Great Newport Street. At 11/12 was the jazz club, Studio 51, where Britain's leading New Orleans-styled trumpeter Ken Colyer played between 1950 and 1973; number 5 was the home (1753-1761) of artist Sir Joshua Reynolds.
Retrace your steps and cross Monmouth Street into Garrick Street. Take the second left into King Street, where at 31 is a plaque to composer Thomas Arne, best known for "Rule Britannia". Continue to the end of King Street, and turn right into the market place–a good spot for refreshments and street entertainment. A plaque on one of the pillars at the rear of St Paul's church shows that the first Punch & Judy show performed in England was witnessed here by diarist Samuel Pepys on 9 May 1662. Walk back along King Street into Garrick Street and turn right into Rose Street, passing the famous Lamb & Flag pub, where Charles Dickens used to enjoy a drink.
At the end of Rose Street, you find yourself opposite 133 Long Acre, where John Logie Baird transmitted the first television programme on 30 September 1929. Turn right and walk past Covent Garden tube to 69-75 Long Acre, where there is a plaque to Denis Johnson, who made and sold Britain's first bicycle here in 1819. Turn back along Long Acre and turn left into Bow Street. A restaurant at the junction with Broad Court bears a plaque with the names of some of Bow Street's former residents, including the 18th-century novelist and playwright Henry Fielding.
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