Are you wondering about the things to do in Westminster, London? This part of the city includes several London must see attractions, including Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, and Big Ben.
There’s a number of popular London attractions in Westminster, plus some appealing places to stay and eat. Officially Westminster is a London borough, and thus covers a larger area. For the purposes of this guide, though, we’re talking about the area fringed by Charing Cross station to the east, St James’s Park to the north, and Victoria, which lies to the west. The River Thames also borders the district’s southern edge.
This guide outlines all the Westminster tourist attractions, things to do, and accommodation and dining options you need to know about. By the end, you’ll be able to decide how to spend your time in Westminster, Charing Cross, and Victoria. Including whether or not to stay in this part of the UK capital.
Read on to discover all you should know about visiting Westminster, Victoria, and Charing Cross in London.
Top 13 Things to Do in Westminster
Westminster Abbey
This listed World Heritage Site is the capital’s royal church, where coronations, weddings, burials, and other ceremonies take place. What not to miss at Westminster Abbey are The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries, which document the house of worship’s 10 centuries of history.
It’s well worth going inside, and pre-booking tickets is best to avoid waiting in line or being disappointed if it’s busy. To find out more, read our complete guide to visiting Westminster Abbey.
Houses of Parliament
Officially called the Palace of Westminster, the Houses of Parliament in London are one of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Both the House of Commons and the House of Lords are here, and this is where the UK government makes its decisions.
If you want to see inside the workings of the British government, plan your visit to Parliament – we loved this tour, which incorporated Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament.
Big Ben
One of the attractions near Westminster Abbey is the clock commonly known as Big Ben, though officially its name is the Elizabeth Tower. It’s a true London icon, and located at the eastern edge of Parliament.
Click here to book a tour of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace
Parliament Square
One of the top things to do near the Houses of Parliament is to visit Parliament Square and admire the statues. Prominent people to look out for include the wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill, suffragette Milicent Fawcett, and South African leader Nelson Mandela.
Look out for the rows of red telephone boxes near Parliament Square – they’re among the best in London for capturing on camera!
Westminster Cathedral
This elaborate building is often overlooked in favour of Westminster Abbey, but it’s a very striking building both inside and out. The exterior features exotic red and white striping, and you can find gold, marble, and mosaics inside.
Westminster Cathedral is the biggest Roman Catholic church in England and Wales. As a working church, it’s free to enter.
Churchill War Rooms
Close to Whitehall and Downing Street – the latter being the home of the British Prime Minister – are the Churchill War Rooms. This fascinating museum allows visitors to see how underground World War II operations unfolded under Winston Churchill’s leadership.
Click here to book a World War II tour with Churchill War Rooms tickets
Trafalgar Square
Home to Nelson’s Column flanked by the famous lion statues, lots of pigeons and every walk of London life, Trafalgar Square feels like the epicentre of the city. In fact, Charing Cross is the official centre of London, and that’s just a stone’s throw away at the western end of The Strand.
Trafalgar Square plays host to various events all year round, from Chinese New Year to Pride in London.
National Gallery & National Portrait Gallery
The National Gallery is on Trafalgar Square, so it’s a worthwhile stop for anyone with even a passing interest in art. It houses over 2,300 paintings, which date from the 13th century to 1900.
Victoria Embankment Gardens
This tranquil spot close to Charing Cross station and by the Thames is ideal for taking a break. You can spot the statue of Scottish poet Robert Burns, unpack a picnic on the lawns, look out for the early 17th-century river gate, and admire the pretty seasonal floral displays.
Buckingham Palace
Whether you simply drink in the splendour from outside or head in to see the state rooms when they’re open, you cannot miss the King’s London residence.
Time your visit carefully and you could see the iconic Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Find out all you need to know in our complete Changing of the Guard guide.
Click here to book Buckingham Palace state rooms tickets
St James’s Park
Leafy St James’s Park is conveniently close to Buckingham Palace, and the perfect place for a picnic, stretching your legs, and a breath of fresh air. The 23-hectare site is London’s oldest Royal Park.
Victoria Tower Gardens
Head south down Abingdon Street from the Houses of Parliament to reach Victoria Tower Gardens by the Thames. The Buxton Memorial Fountain here is a monument to the abolition of slavery.
Tate Britain
Close to the Thames, Tate Britain is the place to go for post 1900-art. A range of modern installations and sculptures can be seen here, in addition to paintings. It’s free to get in, and you don’t need to pre book.
Where to Stay in Westminster
If you want to find accommodation in Westminster, London, here are our recommended options, sorted according to their price bracket.
Hotels
- £££ – Conrad London St James | 5* | Restaurant, pub, & gym | Near St James’s Park tube
- £££ – Rubens at the Palace | 5* | 2 restaurants & bar | Overlooking Buckingham Palace
- £££ – Sofitel London St James | 5* | Restaurant, spa, & gym | On Pall Mall
- ££ – The Guardsman | 5* | Restaurant & bar | Between Westminster & Buckingham Palace
- ££ – The Resident Victoria | 4* | Kitchenettes & room service | Near Buckingham Palace
- ££ – Royal Horseguards | 4* | Restaurant & gym | Between Westminster & Charing Cross
- ££ – The Windermere Hotel | 4* | Restaurant & bar | Near Victoria & Tate Britain
- ££ – Georgian House Hotel | 4* | Breakfast & weekend afternoon tea | Near Victoria & Tate Britain
- £ – Z Hotel Victoria | Z Cafe | Near Victoria train & tube stations|
Holiday rentals
- 1 bed for 2 – Palaces and Parks | 1 bed & 1 bath | Near Buckingham Palace
- 1 bed for 3 – St James’ apartment | 1 bed & 1 bath + hot tub | Near Buckingham Palace
- 1 bed for 5 – Luxe London flat | 1 bed & 1 bath | Near Big Ben
Where to Eat in Westminster
Cafe in the Crypt (St Martins in the Fields)
Possibly one of the most unusual and unexpected places to find a cafe! The Crypt Café, located in the crypt of St Martin-in-the-Fields at Trafalgar Square, has been a beloved spot for tourists and locals for 30 years.
It features original brick-vaulted ceilings and historic tombstones, offering a daily menu of freshly prepared, sustainably sourced food. The café also hosts Crypt Lates, transforming into a vibrant music and cabaret venue with a fully stocked bar and delicious food options.
It’s one of my favourite places to stop off for lunch when exploring Westminster.
Kerridge’s Bar and Grill
One of the best restaurants in Westminster, London is Kerridge’s Bar and Grill, located at The Corinthia hotel. This fine dining venue specialises in British comfort food, and is overseen by Michelin-starred celebrity chef Tom Kerridge.
Cinnamon Club
Housed in the Grade II listed Old Westminster Library, in Victoria, is the Cinnamon Club. It offers contemporary Indian fare, an impressive wine list, and impeccable service. Books still line the walls, and there’s a cocktail bar downstairs.
The Red Lion
This archetypal British pub is good for spotting politicians before, between, or after sessions at the House of Commons. Spread over three floors, it offers traditional pub grub. You can also stop by for a refreshing soft or alcoholic drink.
The Windsor Castle
Situated on Francis Street in Victoria, surely this London pub is worth calling at just to take a snap of the name sign! It’s a lovely Victorian “boozer” inside and out, and serves a range of light meals and classic pub food.
Muriel’s Kitchen
At the National Gallery you can find Muriel’s Kitchen. It’s a casual spot offering cakes, snacks, meals, and drinks. You can tuck into a seasonal salad here, or sample dishes from Britain and Europe.
Regency Cafe
A little inland from Victoria Tower Gardens and Tate Britain is the traditional Regency Cafe on the street of the same name. This is the place to go for a full English breakfast, aka a fry-up, or an authentic, no-fuss British lunch menu. It’s often used as a filming location for TV and movies.
Djanogly Cafe
You can also grab a bite to eat at the cafe at Tate Britain. Djanogly Cafe offers a food menu ranging from sandwiches or salads to quiches, hot meals, and of course cakes. You can wash it all down with Tate roasted coffee or a loose-leaf Jing tea.
How to Get to Westminster
Underground stations
- Westminster – Circle, District, & Jubilee lines
- Embankment – Bakerloo, Circle, District, & Northern lines
- St James’s Park – Circle & District lines
Train stations
- Charing Cross
- Victoria
Buses
Look out for buses calling at Parliament Square, Whitehall, Trafalgar Square, or the Strand.
Westminster Pier
You could also catch a Thames River bus from Westminster Pier.
Westminster, Victoria & Charing Cross FAQs
Is Westminster in London safe?
Crime statistics in Westminster are relatively high, but remember that this is a very rich borough. Petty thefts are common in upmarket areas, but by exercising care you should be able to avoid being a target.
We recommend using a theft-proof, cross-body bag to keep your valuables safe.
What’s Westminster known for?
Westminster is known for the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey. The area is also home to the ornate Westminster Cathedral, and is close to attractions in the Victoria and Charing Cross areas.
These include Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square.
Is Westminster Abbey worth visiting inside?
It’s well worth going inside Westminster Abbey. There’s so much to see, covering around 1,000 years of royal history. You can also stand on the spots where royal weddings, funerals, and coronations have taken place.
What is there to see near Victoria Station, London?
Close to Victoria Station in London is Buckingham Palace, the home of the British monarchy. Also nearby is St James’s Park, and Tate Britain. You can also find numerous other sites to visit in neighbouring Westminster.
What is Charing Cross famous for?
Charing Cross is the official centre of the capital and the point used for direction signs stating how many miles it is from any given location to London. The station is named after a junction south of Trafalgar Square.
What Will You Do in Westminster, Victoria & Charing Cross?
With so many attractions in Westminster, London to visit, you could easily spend several days exploring this central corner of the capital. Whatever you want to see and do, though, planning and booking ahead will help you to make the most of your visit.
Whether you’d rather head inside Westminster Abbey, witness the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, picnic in the park, discover an art gallery, or delve into World War II history, this part of London has so much to offer!
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