Location: Westminster
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What to do and see in Westminster, England: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
The crown jewels, Buckingham Palace, Camden Market…in London, history collides with art, fashion, food, and good British ale. A perfect day is different for everyone: culture aficionados shouldn't miss the Tate Modern and the Royal Opera House. If you love fashion, Oxford Street has shopping galore. For foodies, cream tea at Harrod’s or crispy fish from a proper chippy offers classic London flavor. Music and book buffs will love seeing Abbey Road and the Sherlock Holmes Museum (at 221B Baker Street, of course).
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1. Buckingham Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29,134 reviews
Buckingham Palace is recognised around the world as the focus of national and royal celebrations as well as the backdrop to the regular Changing the Guard ceremony. Explore the magnificent State Rooms which are open to visitors for 10 weeks each summer and on selected dates during winter and spring. During a visit to Buckingham Palace, visitors can see the 19 magnificent State Rooms, which provide the setting for ceremonial occasions and official entertaining. All rooms are furnished with many of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection.
Reviewed By lpMaggi713 - Baltimore, United States
Just before leaving on our trip, we were very lucky to get an email from the Royal Collection Trust saying that they would be having private tours of Buckingham Place in late March and early April for £ 85 each. We have always wanted to tour the palace, but we are never in London when it is normally opened in the summer months while the Queen is at Balmoral. We signed up right away for a tour on Friday, March 29, at 5:30 PM. This was going to be 2-1/2 hour tour with a private tour guide, limited participants, a glass of champagne, an official souvenir booklet on Buckingham Palace and a discount in the museum shop. Unfortunately, tourists are not allowed to take pictures. Laura P. made all the arrangements for me to have a wheelchair. She was so helpful and kind. We were met at the front entrance to the palace by Abi, a delightful representative of the palace, who stayed with me the whole tour. Our tour guide was Roz and what an incredible tour guide she was! Her command of the knowledge and history of the palace made it come alive for us. She gave us a comprehensive tour of the 19 State Rooms where the Queen and members of the royal family host guests for state, ceremonial and official affairs. We were able to see the Grand Staircase, Grand Entrance and Marble Hall, Green Drawing Room, Guard Chamber, Music Room, The Throne Room, The Picture Gallery, The Ballroom, Blue Drawing Room, Bow Room, East & West Gallery, State Dining Room, The Ball Supper Room, White Drawing Room with a secret doorway for the Queen, the Silk Tapestry Room, The Ante Room, The Lobby, Minister’s landing & Staircase We were completely awe struck by the opulent rooms with enormous chandeliers, candelabra, paintings by Rembrandt and Rubens; plus more, exquisite English and French furniture and Sèvres porcelain. Each and every room had some of the most magnificent pieces from the Royal Collection. Some interesting facts about the Palace: 450 people are employed there; it has 775 rooms; there are offices and rooms below the quadrangle; the palace was completed in 1834; there are 200 bedrooms, 79 bathrooms, and 92 offices; the total square footage is 830,000 sq. ft., which includes a post office, swimming pool, medical offices and a movie theater. There are 2 full-time personnel to take care of the 350 clocks in the palace. I was escorted back to the front entrance by Richard. It was really a thrilling experience to tour the palace, and we are so appreciative of the opportunity to do so. If you have the chance, you must do this. The Royal Flag is flown when the Queen is in residence.
2. Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 993 reviews
Built in 1745 to house the old palace guards, this is London's largest single open space that is used for the changing of the guards.
Reviewed By lourg305 - Miami, United States
This changing of the guards is much prettier than the one everyone else goes to watch at the palace gates. Because there is no fence, you get to see everything unobstructed. Do yourself a favor and obey the instructions from the mounted police on site, they aren't messing around with dumb tourists. I saw one dumbbell get bitten by a horse because he got too close. The funny part was when the cop arrested the guy who got bitten! It's absolutely worth watching, and very beautiful.
3. Big Ben
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31,789 reviews
This place is temporarily closed. Elizabeth Tower is the name of the famous clock tower which stands at the Houses of Parliament. The name Big Ben is often used to describe the tower, the clock and the bell but the name was first given to the Great Bell. The Elizabeth Tower was completed in 1859 and the Great Clock started on 31 May. The Great Bell's strikes were heard for the first time on 11 July and the quarter bells first chimed on 7 September. All visits to Big Ben and the Elizabeth Tower tours are now suspended due to refurbishment with the last tour having taken place on 16 December 2016. Tours are scheduled to resume in early 2020 once the work is complete. Visitors can still book tickets for a number of other tours at the Houses of Parliament which take place on Saturdays throughout the year and on weekdays during Parliamentary recesses.
Reviewed By coolric - London, United Kingdom
Elizabeth Tower, previously called the Clock Tower everyone also knows it as The BIG BEN, House of Lords, House of Parliament a neo-gothic style building where all UK decisions are made, rich history beautiful building, can't miss it if you going to U.K.
4. Parliament Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 542 reviews
Reviewed By stantp1916 - Farakka, India
The parliament square had the British parliament, the Abbey and the Supreme Court each in one corner of the square and statues of the most powerful men in modern history of mankind in thr centre like Mandela, Gandhi, Fawcett etc. the place felt so empowering. The statue of winston churchill was there too. We couldn’t recognise the big ben at first as it was covered in scaffolding until our tour guide pointed it out.
5. Royal Mews
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,366 reviews
The Royal Mews is home to the royal collection of historic coaches and carriages and is considered to be one of the finest working stables in existence. The Royal Mews is responsible for all road travel arrangements for The Queen and members of the Royal Family and is home to the most dazzling display of coaches including the Gold State Coach, which has been used at every coronation since that of George IV in 1821. During your visit, you will be able to see The Diamond Jubilee State Coach.
Reviewed By Kingpaul100 - Malaga, Spain
So lovely to see this Royal collection of state coaches- the true prize of course is the golden state coach which is just breathtaking. Suitable for all ages.
6. The Mall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 451 reviews
Reviewed By stevetV9366XH - Preston, United Kingdom
The Mall is a lovely stretch to wander along with the two icons at either end - Buckingham Palace and Admiralty Arch - it's a delight to undertake such a walk in the sure and certain knowledge that you're seldom likely to go too far wrong !!
7. Whitehall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 261 reviews
Reviewed By 227ianc - London, United Kingdom
Once the site of a royal palace of which only the Banqueting House remains, Whitehall is the ceremonial route - albeit spoilt by traffic- from Trafalgar Square to Parliament Square and Parliament. As well as being home to many Government departments (though one building is now being converted into a luxury hotel) along with historic buildings such as Banqueting House, Horse Guards (still guarded during lockdown 2) and Dover House (London HQ of the Scotland Office), Whitehall has many statues - mainly linked to the army - plus the Cenotaph and, most recent of all, a memorial to the contribution of Women of World War II, sculpted by John W Mills and unveiled in 2005.
8. Women of World War II Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 124 reviews
Reviewed By BigHugh51 - Adelaide, Australia
Whitehall is a wonderful London boulevard lined with impressive government buildings and a host of significant statues and memorials. While taking another walk along the boulevard during our most recent stay in London, we paused on the footpath to view and pay our respects at the Memorial to the Women of World War II Memorial. This memorial is of significance to us and no doubt to millions of others, because of family connections. The large monument cast in dark bronze stands on an island in the middle of the roadway. Its design is stark and simple but it stands out amongst the heavy passing traffic. Some may pass by and pay curt attention to the memorial. However, those who are aware of the memorial’s significance are likely to be like us and pause briefly to remember the service and sacrifices by the women of Britain during the terrible years of World War II.
9. Prince George Statue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By Travelling_SE_Asia - St. Albans, United Kingdom
Another equestrian statue which is located on Whitehall a stone throw away from 10 Downing Street, or Trafalgar Square.
10. Royal Air Force Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By TeamWard - Nottingham, United Kingdom
Victoria embankment opposite to the London Eye, you can discover the Royal Air Force memorial, per ardua as astra, a few minutes to admire the golden eagle.
