Solar eclipse: Londoners gather to watch eclipse from the capital's parks

Londoners turned out in their droves to catch a glimpse of today’s solar eclipse from the capital’s parks.

Outside the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, enthusiasts set up telescopes for members of the public to use while school children were handed glasses and others used homemade pinhole cameras to gaze at the natural phenomenon safely.

Rachel Liang, 39, a copywriter from North Greenwich, said: “My husband got me interested in it years ago and he’s always saying what an amazing experience it is. I’ve worked around the world with my job and never been in the right place at the right time so this is something I’ll never forget.”

Geoffrey Nursey, 52, a guide for foreign language schools, from Wanstead, east London said: “Last time I threw a sicky and went all the way down to Cornwall last time. These things are an event and when it happens it’s really peculiar everything and everyone goes quiet at such an impressive site. It’s very humbling and you feel closer to nature.”

Undeterred by the clouds hundreds turned out in Regent’s Park where enthusiasts set up telescopes, families camped out on blankets and free eclipse glasses were handed out among students.

Experts from the Royal Astronomical Society gave onlookers a running commentary about the significance of the event while Baker Street Irregular Astronomers, a free group which meets monthly at the Central London park, set up telescopes with solar filters for people to view the phenomenon.

Lecturers from University College London postponed lectures for science students while bosses allowed employees to arrive later for work to view the spectacle.

Gleb Lukicov, 21, and Mikhail Semenov, 21, both physics students from UCL, said their lecturer had postponed the morning’s class so they could document the event.

Mr Lukicov said: “An eclipse is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that just can’t be missed. If you don’t come out you have to wait another ten years so. There’s a lot of people coming down from our course. It’s also great to see so many people coming out to talk about it as a community.”