Westminster, London: Things to Do Around Parliament Square

There are lots of things to see in the area near Parliament Square, Westminster Abbey & Houses of Parliament in London. This area is famous for being the home of British politics. Interesting places for sightseeing walks include the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and lots of fancy government buildings.

Other iconic things to see nearby include Westminster Abbey and the famous Big Ben clock tower. When sightseeing in the area, there are many important statues and monuments. You can see many of these from the outside for free, which is ideal for budget travellers.

The area near Parliament Square and the Palace of Westminster is one of the more popular places to visit in London and thus can get busy. I prefer visiting here as the sun is coming up, but I’ve yet to catch a good sunrise here, unfortunately.

Things to Do in Westminster and Around Parliament Square

There are many interesting sights in the area near the Houses of Parliament. It’s a really enjoyable place to visit and see all the important buildings.

Map of Parliament Square in London

At various points near Parliament Square in London, there are some maps and plans to help you find the key sights. These also provide some useful information for visitors.

Palace of Westminster

One of the best things to do in London is to see the iconic Palace of Westminster and the Houses of Parliament. The Houses of Parliament, alongside Big Ben with Westminster Abbey behind, is a fantastic view from the river.

To enjoy the views, a great place to see the palace is from Westminster Bridge or on the path on the River Thames near St Thomas’ Hospital opposite. This can get busy during the summer with people taking photos. I find it fascinating to see people posing, trying to get the perfect shot.

It is a splendid building which is the home of British politics. There has been a royal palace here since the 11th century, and it was once the primary residence of the Kings of England until a fire in 1512. Subsequently, the undamaged parts of the building became the home of the Parliament of England. For those wishing to visit this historic building, guided tours are available on Saturdays and during the summer.

Big Ben and the Elizabeth Tower

The iconic clock tower, Big Ben, is a splendid sight. It dates from 1859, and, at the time, it was the largest four-faced striking and chiming clock in the world. The tower is 96 metres tall and recognisable worldwide, making it a fantastic sight and very popular with tourists.

You can see Big Ben from many places in the area, including Parliament Square, Westminster Bridge and the far bank of the River Thames. Many tourists come to have their photograph taken with Big Ben, especially on the bridge. I found that visiting in the early morning was fantastic and relatively quiet. Before the sun comes up, the clock face is lit up, as are features of the building.

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is a fantastic church building to see in the area. The abbey was built in the Gothic style of architecture, and, as such, it is pretty special. It is one of the UK’s most important religious buildings. The Abbey is where the coronations of British monarchs take place, including the most recent, that of King Charles III.

It has hosted all English and British monarch coronations since 1066. Also, it is the burial site of British kings, queens and other influential people, including Sir Isaac Newton. It’s free to see the exterior of the church; however, you can also pay to visit the interior. A fantastic spot to see the building in all its glory is from Dean’s Yard, around the corner.

St Margaret’s Church

St Margaret’s Church is next to Parliament Square. It’s a smaller church that dates from the 12th century. Benedictine monks founded the church in the 12th century. However, it was rebuilt in 1486 and 1523.

St Margaret’s Church is active and has regular services. The church is sometimes called the parish church of the House of Commons. St Margaret’s Church is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes the palace and abbey. It is one of many churches to visit in London.

Whitehall and Government Buildings

Walk Along Whitehall

Whitehall is a road that leads from Trafalgar Square towards Parliament Square. It’s home to many government buildings, including several prominent government departments. It’s a nice place for a walk and to see the beautiful architecture and places of interest. You can also see many monuments and statues in Whitehall, including the Cenotaph.

Downing Street

Downing Street is the official residence of the UK Prime Minister; thus, it is a significant place with many famous and, to some, notorious residents. The entrance to Downing Street is off Whitehall and pretty underwhelming when walking past. It’s a ring of steel and lots of police with guns about.

Since 1735, 10 Downing Street has been the home of British prime ministers. Along with the White House in the USA, it is one of the most significant political buildings in the modern era.

Old War Office Building

An iconic sight in Whitehall, London, is the Old War Office Building. This building has seven floors and about 1100 rooms. Famously, Winston Churchill used it as a headquarters during World War II. The Old War Office is a neo-Baroque building that dates from 1906.

It’s a pleasant building to see and nowadays is home to a luxury five-star hotel, Raffles London. It sounds like a pretty cool place to stay, as it is dog-friendly. However, it’s well beyond my budget. You can find out more on Booking.com. The Old War Office is a lovely building to see when sightseeing, and during the festive period it features distinctive Christmas decorations.

Horse Guards Parade

A fascinating thing to do in the area nearby is to visit Horse Guards Parade. This is a ceremonial parade ground which you can access from Whitehall via the Household Cavalry Museum. There are lots of pleasant buildings to see at the edge of the parade grounds.

The red and white Old Admiralty Building at the edge certainly caught my eye. It’s a stunning building dating back to 1890 that served as the headquarters of the British Navy. Horse Guards Parade is where Trooping the Colour takes place each year. It’s an interesting place for a walk around and to see the details and monuments when quiet.

Statues and Monuments in Westminster

The Cenotaph

One of the well-known monuments in the area is the Cenotaph. The Cenotaph war memorial is in Whitehall, a short walk away from the Houses of Parliament. It’s the focal point of the Remembrance Sunday commemorations each year. The Cenotaph was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and was unveiled in 1920 as the United Kingdom’s national memorial to those who died for Britain and the British Empire.

Boadicea and Her Daughters

One of my favourite statues in the area is Boadicea and Her Daughters, which is at the downstream end of the western side of Westminster Bridge. This is a bronze sculptural group that represents Boudica, who was queen of the Celtic Iceni tribe. Boudicca led an uprising in Roman Britain. The statue was made in 1902, and it still looks great.

Statues in Parliament Square

There are lots of statues of important figures in Parliament Square to see; thus, it’s worth a mooch around. This includes Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Gandhi and Abraham Lincoln.

A notable statue to see in Parliament Square is of Nelson Mandela. He is the former president of South Africa and an anti-apartheid activist. The statue is pretty new and was unveiled in the square in 2007.

Gardens Near Parliament Square

Victoria Tower Gardens

A pleasant, tranquil public space near the Houses of Parliament is the Victoria Tower Gardens South. Here you can enjoy river views and the Victoria Tower. The garden has some interesting statues and memorials to see, too.

Dean’s Yard

Dean’s Yard is a lovely place to get away from the crowds of the attractions in the area. This is a beautiful square with grass in the middle and amazing views, including the abbey’s spires.

Whitehall Gardens

Near Big Ben and alongside the river is Whitehall Gardens. From these gardens, you can get an epic view of the Royal Horseguards Hotel. I enjoyed looking around the gardens and seeing the nearby architecture.

Whitehall Gardens date back to 1875 and feature some very mature trees and statues. It’s also a pleasant place to walk the dog, away from the bustle of the main sites in the area. The Royal Horseguards Hotel dates from 1884 and looks like a French chateau.

Other Historic Buildings in the Area

The Sanctuary Building

Another beautiful building to see in the area is the Sanctuary Building. The Sanctuary Building is next to the iconic Westminster Abbey and the Crimean and Indian Mutiny memorial. It is a Grade II-listed building and has been so since the 1970s.

The Sanctuary Building has a gate leading into Dean’s Yard. The Sanctuary Building is a row of townhouses, some with turrets and others with Gothic and Tudor features.

The Neo-Gothic Supreme Court Building

Another eye-catching building in Parliament Square is the Supreme Court Building. The building is mostly neo-Gothic in design. Construction of the Supreme Court Building started in 1906 and was completed in 1913.

As well as seeing the outside, you can also visit the inside on a tour. Tours give visitors insight into how the Supreme Court works and the stories behind some of the court’s most notorious cases.

The Baroque Central Hall

Another pleasant building to see is Central Hall, a conference centre and Methodist church all rolled into one. The building was completed in 1911, after work began in 1905.

Architectural styles include Baroque and Edwardian. Famously, the hall hosted the first-ever meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in 1946. You can find out about public events in Central Hall on their website.