A stroll down London's fleet street

Tens of thousands of sightseers arrive at London's Waterloo station everyday, cross the river to the north bank and turn left towards Soho, Westminster and the West End. However, a lucky few turn right when they hit the Strand and head east along fleet street. If you do the same you could get to see some of london's lesser known but equally fascinating sites. Here is what you can see.

Firstly we can head back in time by visiting the Temple church where the knights templars used to meet. This ancient round church was recently made famous in Dan Brown's blockbusting novel The Da Vinci Code. Details of regular times for guided tours can be found on the church's website.

Next cross the road to the north side of the Strand and walk along to the law courts, where a group of news reporters are often to be seen awaiting the next breaking story. This is the spot where tv cameras interview famous people caught up in legal disputes. The splendid law court buildings themselves are open to the public although there may be some restrictions depending on the cases being heard.

St Clement Danes church is situated outside the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand, it was designed by Sir Christopher Wren who also designed the great St Paul's cathedral which will become our ultimate destination.

Further along on the north side of the road is The Old Bank of England which has been transformed into an excellent pub, but retains much of the original architecture. In fact, there are a lot of excellent old pubs including the famous Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese with its sawdust strewn floor that Charles Dickens used to frequent.

Almost directly opposite is the Tipperary, England's oldest Irish pub and the lovely. If none of those appeal double back on yourself to the Old Cock at 22 fleet street on the south (river) side.

After your refreshments head east along fleet street admiring the old buildings which formerly housed all of London's national newspapers. On the south side you will find the church of St Brides church which is the spiritual home of journalism. Look around at the memorials to publishers and journalists who have died in war zones.

In the alleys around the church are some great cheap eateries, but dome of St Pauls now beckons. This is the great Church where Prince Charles married Diana in 1981. It is filled with wonders and treasures and is actually fully worth the at first sight seemingly steep entrance fee of £10.00. The best bits are the crypt, whispering gallery and the view out over london from the top of the tower. From here you can look back along fleet street towards westminster and see all the great sights that make London such a wonderful, rich, diverse and exciting city.