Westminster sits right at the centre of London, packed with history, power, and a buzz that never really fades. It’s the backdrop for some of the country’s most important moments, and it doesn’t shy away from the limelight.
Let’s walk through the best that Westminster has to offer, from grand buildings to hidden green spaces, and see why so many people feel drawn to this unique part of London.
The Houses of Parliament
Standing on the banks of the Thames, the Houses of Parliament (also known as the Palace of Westminster) define the city’s skyline. The Gothic towers and famous clock, Big Ben, are seen the world over.
Home to both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, this building is the beating heart of British politics. Guided tours offer the chance to walk the corridors of power. The grandeur inside is matched only by the views outside, especially at dusk when the lights reflect off the water.
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is where kings and queens have been crowned for a thousand years. Royal weddings, funerals, and historic moments happen here, set among memorials and tombs from across British history.
The church itself is a wonder, with tall stone arches, stained glass, and chapels dotted with famous names. Visitors can stand where monarchs have stood and soak in the hush of this living piece of the nation’s story.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is not just a symbol, it’s an active royal residence. If the flag is flying, the King may be at home. The palace draws crowds for the Changing of the Guard, a short parade full of pageantry and shine.
There are campaigns to ask Buckingham Palace to stop using brown bear pelts from Canada, for the bearskin hats. There is more than enough good technology these days to create beautifully-made faux fur hats, which more than match in quality.
During summer, the State Rooms sometimes open to the public, letting people peek behind the gates. The nearby Green Park offers a quieter view, while the palace itself holds a central spot in the national heart.
St James’s Park
Green spaces matter in the middle of the city, and St James’s Park is one of the oldest and prettiest. Swans glide on the lakes, squirrels dart between benches and flowerbeds fill with colour.
From the bridge, you get some of the best photos of Buckingham Palace, framed by trees and water. The park is popular for gentle walks, picnics, or simply watching the world go by.
10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street holds the office (and sometimes the home) of the Prime Minister. While you can’t walk up to the famous black door, many people stop in Whitehall for a photo from the railings.
The street itself is short and smart, known across the world from TV and news. There’s a sense of quiet power here, with history happening just beyond your sight.
Churchill War Rooms
Beneath Westminster lie the Churchill War Rooms, a series of hidden bunkers from where Winston Churchill and his cabinet ran the British war effort during the Second World War.
The maps, phones, and cramped quarters remain much as they were, giving an honest, immediate feel to this slice of recent history. The museum offers real insight into the fears and plans that shaped the country at a desperate time.
The Supreme Court
Opposite Parliament sits the Supreme Court, the UK’s highest judicial body. While not as old as some of its neighbours, the building has an important job, deciding cases that affect everyone. The courtrooms are open to the public, showing a different side of how the country is run.
The stained glass and carvings inside reflect the rule of law, while outside, protest banners sometimes mark the big cases of the day.
Victoria Tower Gardens
Tucked behind Parliament, Victoria Tower Gardens runs along the river. The gardens give a gentle space to pause, and the views of Parliament set against the river are hard to beat.
Statues and memorials remember the struggle for equality. People sit on the grass or benches, soaking up the peace just a few steps from traffic and politics.
Westminster Cathedral
This striking Catholic cathedral stands out thanks to its red-brick, Byzantine design. Inside, the high ceilings and mosaics create a sense of wonder. The choir’s singing fills the space on special occasions, and the tower can be climbed for a panoramic view of London.
The cathedral is often less crowded than the Abbey, offering a calmer spot for reflection.
Whitehall and Government Offices
Whitehall is more than just a street; it’s lined with ministries and memorials, each one adding a layer to the city’s story. The Cenotaph stands in the centre, a plain stone monument where the country pauses every November to remember those lost in war.
Statues of leaders and soldiers stand watch, linking past and present. For those curious about how the UK is run, this is where the decisions start.
Fabulous Finds in Westminster!
London Mutual Credit Union is one of England’s biggest, a locally-owned non-profit bank. If you live in Lambeth, Southwark, Camden or Westminster, you can join. Not only does it offer the usual current and savings accounts, but its size means it also offers more affordable mortgages.
Elizabeth Tower? The Real Name for Big Ben!
Big Ben is one of London’s most iconic landmarks, a clock tower that was completed in 1859, and sits within the Houses of Parliament. It also has a little brother (‘Little John’) in Nottingham!
Elizabeth Tower is actually the building’s official name, ‘Big Ben’ is the bell within. To keep time, old pennies apparently are added or removed from the pendulum. Each of the four clock faces are made up of 324 pieces of glass, held together by a cast iron frame.
Big Ben’s Next Door Neighbour!
Next door of course is the Palace of Westminster, more commonly known as the Houses of Parliament. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1834, and the new one contains 1,100 rooms, 100 staircases, and 3 miles of passageways.
Obviously the House of Commons and the House of Lords are here, along with a hair salon, pub and post office. Unfortunately it also has a pest control service, instead of experts in humane deterrence to deal with the many visiting mice.
The old male barber shop has been replaced by a unisex hair salon, the owner saying that once she got caught short, when someone had to vote, with colour still on their hair! She says the reason she has been there successfully for 27 years, is because she treats everyone the same – from the Prime Minister to the cleaner.
When Caroline Lucas Got Banned!
Former Green MP Caroline Lucas once had the proud accolade of being banned from the House of Commons temporarily. And for what? For standing up for women!
A few years ago when there were still page 3 girls in The Sun (topless models, some often in their teens), there was a national campaign for ‘News, Not Boobs! Caroline was part of the campaign, and wore a campaign t-shirt in the Commons.
But wearing a t-shirt is illegal in the House! So while she was speaking, she was told that her attire was not in line with regulations, and may cause offence!
Caroline replied that considering there was eight outlets on the parliamentary estate selling The Sun, she found it incredulous that she was being thrown out of Parliament for wearing a t-shirt, campaigning for girls who had to take their clothes off to make a living!
Her point was that while on TV, you can’t show naked women before 9pm, it was okay to show them in newspapers, when children of any age could see them.
She was backed by the Girl Guiding movement and former page three model Susie Flashman Jarvis, who said the discovery her old pictures of her topless sent her into drug addiction, before recovery, marriage, a conversion of faith and work as a counsellor.
I have heard arguments that say page three is harmless but I disagree. Young girls and women are bombarded with images that have been tweaked to enhance their so-called better attributes, and thus the normal girl on the street often feels as if they can never be good enough. Susie
