Discover Westminster

Westminster brings together significant buildings, royal history, museums and green retreats. The selection ranges from the coronation church of Westminster Abbey and guided insights into the Palace of Westminster to free admission to the National Gallery.

Coronation Church and Medieval Buildings

Westminster Abbey has been the coronation church since 1066. At the same time, it is the final resting place of seventeen British monarchs. A visit therefore represents not only sacred architecture, but also a place where an essential part of the history of the British monarchy can be traced. The historical selection also includes the Church of St Margaret, Westminster, a Late Perpendicular parish church.

Jewel Tower offers another view of the past of the Palace of Westminster. It is one of only four surviving buildings of the medieval Palace of Westminster. Those who do not want to view the development of the parliamentary building solely from the outside can take part in guided tours of the Palace of Westminster. These provide access to some of its best-known rooms.

Tours Around the Palace, Elizabeth Tower and Buckingham Palace

The Elizabeth Tower can also be explored as part of an official Big Ben tour. This type of visit differs from an independent walkaround: access to the famous tower is expressly linked to the official tour. At Buckingham Palace, visitors can explore the State Rooms. The palace also offers a guided walking tour through the most remarkable areas of its garden. This allows you to distinguish between interiors, architectural insights and an accompanied garden walk when planning your visit.

Parks, Wildlife and Walks

St James’s Park complements the historic sights with nature and wildlife observation. The lake in the park is a natural habitat and refuge for wildlife. More than 40 pelicans have lived there since 1664. This special feature gives a walk a clear thematic focus, without the park having to be viewed merely as a passage between other sights.

The Green Park is a 40-acre oasis of mature trees and parkland. There are numerous paths and running routes there. Cyclists are asked to remain on the designated cycle paths.

Art and Time with Children

Admission to the National Gallery is free and complements the historic sites with a museum experience. For a stay with children, the Hyde Park Playground is also suitable as a separate item on the itinerary. It is located on the southern edge of Hyde Park and is described as an exciting and adventurous play area. This expands the cultural selection to include a place explicitly focused on exercise and play.

If you would like to compare other London destinations alongside Westminster, you can also include Walthamstow, Kilburn, East Ham, London, Longford and Chislehurst in your research.

More About the Destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Westminster Palace - The Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey - The Church of the Kings.