Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus - what better way to start a MINI Cooper SE Convertible tour of a city of nine million people with a rich history? But, of course, the 'Courage, a major monument that commemorates real change. It's one of the newest statues in historic London, erected in 2018 in honour of women's rights activist Dame Millicent Garrett Fawcett, and leader of the Suffragettes who fought for the right to vote. The phrase "Courage calls for courage everywhere", which is inscribed on the banner holding the figure of the first monument to a woman in Parliament Square in London, symbolises social participation and equality.
Living city overflowing with diversity
In the large central square, right next to the seat of the British Parliament in the Palace of Westminster, we have another opportunity to recharge. From here, we head east across the legendary 252-metre-long Westminster Bridge in the MINI Cooper SE Convertible to the exciting South Bank area on the other side of the Thames.
At the centre of the 1.7-kilometre-long waterfront is the Queen Elizabeth Hall, along with the Royal Festival Hall and the Royal National Theatre. While a daily programme of classical, jazz and avant-garde concerts thrills audiences upstairs in the foyer, the heart of London's subculture pulses with life in the basement. After all, the city's most famous skateboarding area has been here since the 1970s. Next door, London's creative scene celebrates the city's urban art made famous by Banksy with his colourful tunnel graffiti in Leake Sreet.
Historical and modern structures in fascinating contrast
Passing by Shakespeare's restored Globe Theatre, the route leads back across London Bridge to the other side of the river. At the bridge, the fabric soft top of the MINI Cooper SE Convertible with its distinctive Union Jack design quietly lowers to reveal a glittering English sky. Here, on the east side of the city, the charming ruins of St. Dunstan-in-the-East Church create a fascinating contrast between history and modernity. The secretive park in and around the main church offers a special place where MINI passengers can rest and replenish their exhausted energy.
The MINI Cooper SE Cabrio doesn't need to replenish its lost energy in the traditional way that we have come to know from vehicles with internal combustion engines. Instead, the 135 kW/184 hp electric motor, which helps with the flexible and easily controllable handling of the vehicle, enables 201 kilometres of driving pleasure without emissions in open air according to the WLTP test cycle.
A stop at the London Sky Garden is a good idea to enjoy the view of the Thames, which is attractive from a convertible. London's tallest garden is located on the 35th floor of a skyscraper called the "Walkie-Talkie" because of its distinctive shape. The entrance is free and guarantees fantastic views of the city, where you can already spot the next attractions.
Looking west, St Paul's Cathedral, in the centre of Europe's largest financial centre - the City of London borough - is easily recognisable as one of the largest churches in the world. At the centre of the 158-metre-long cathedral is a 750-tonne chandelier suspended 111 metres high. The 111 metres corresponds to exactly 365 feet, which is one foot for every day of the year.
Before the end of this adventurous day, a stop in front of the majestically lit Somerset House guarantees a spectacular view of the countless lights along the Thames. Home to cultural pioneers, Somerset House connects creativity and art to the community. Part of the neoclassical building is owned by King's College, one of the world's most prestigious institutions of higher learning.
London doesn't sleep, it shines
Across the river, brightly lit buildings and the iconic London Eye are already reflected in the water of the Thames. At 135 metres high and with its 32 floor-to-ceiling glass gondolas, on a clear day one can see for 40 km to the Royal Castle of Windsor outside London.
For today, however, a glimpse from the sports seats of the open-top MINI Cooper SE Cabrio into the clear night sky over London is enough to recall all the wonderful images. And we're already dreaming of the next day for an open-air go-kart sensation in this electrifying metropolis.
