Westminster: places to go, things to see
Whether you are coming to London for an event; (or any other reason for that matter!) – one thing you must do, is take advantage of the world renowned tourist attractions on offer. Afterall, who doesn’t love a bit of sight seeing in one of the world’s most famous destinations!
Whether you’re in westminster for the day, the week; or even longer; make sure you take some time to take in all that the area has to offer – you won’t regret it! Heres the rundown of some of Westminster’s most popular attractions…
Must-see tourist attractions in Westminster
A site rich with centuries of cultural history, Westminster Abbey is a place of Royal tradition, yet very much open to everyone for guided tours, personal prayer and reflection.
You can visit the final resting places of some of the most significant people in British history and see the spot where 40 different monarchs have been crowned since 1066.
Why not go and view Poet’s Corner and have some tranquil time out in the 900-year- old cultivated gardens?
Did you know? Church House is right next to Westminster Abbey! – our Dean’s Yard entrance can be accessed to the right of Westminster Abbey. This lovely and tranquil space can be hired for events, perfect for fresh air and greenery, right in the heart of the city!
Its chimes first rang out in 1859, and all these years on, Big Ben still draws crowds.
A restoration project on the bell was completed in August 2022 and tourists can now view all the recently completed works – making it one of London’s major tourist attractions.
You can book a fascinating 90-minute guided tour of Big Ben (which actually refers to the name of the bell, housed in the Elizabeth Tower). On it, you’ll be able to view the clock mechanism room, behind the four clock dials, and the Belfry where the famous bell sits.
Church House is closely located to big ben, it’s within a 5 minute walk.
Get right to the heart of Government machinery with an in-depth tour of the Houses of Parliament while you’re in Westminster.
If you’re interested in being as close to the action as possible, you can watch debates and committee hearings in the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
If it’s parliamentary history that interests you, book an appointment to look at the archives.
A leisurely stroll after some heavyweight history is just the ticket to revive and restore. Why not head to one of the Royal parks in Westminster – St James Park.
Take in the fresh air and admire the views of the Admiralty Arch, the Horse Guards , and the beautifully striking pelicans that’ve been in residence there since first introduced to the park by the Russian Ambassador to King Charles II in 1664.
In this most historic of years, as we witnessed the new Carolean era under King Charles III, Buckingham Palace is currently hosting a special coronation display to mark the occasion – alongside its other treasures.
You can visit the 19 impressive staterooms on a guided tour, and on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday mornings at 11.00am (weather permitting) you can view the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
During your visit, you’ll need to know where all the best places to eat and drink are to keep you going for more sightseeing. Be it a light bite at a cafe or a formal sit-down meal, you’ll find it all here.
Flex your retail therapy muscles with Westminster’s independent fashion shops or source some indulgent books to read in your downtime. Westminster has something for everyone.
From award ceremonies to Christmas parties and in-between – if you’ve got a vision, we’d be delighted to help bring your plans to life. We offer in-house catering; and also have our own Events and AV team to ensure your event runs better than smoothly – our skilled team is waiting to hear from you, so do get in touch via our contact form, or call us on 020 7390 1590.
