The Palace of Westminster, the Elizabeth Tower and Westminster Bridge across the Thames, framed by autumn leaves

Your independent guide to Westminster

Westminster: start your London story at Big Ben

Step out of Westminster Station and a thousand years of history is all around you: Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and the Thames. Honest advice, hand-picked tours and everything you need to plan your trip.

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Why Westminster?

The heart of London, all within walking distance

Nowhere else in London packs so much history into so few streets: the seat of Parliament, the coronation church and the monarch’s palace, a short walk apart.

In a single morning you can stand under Big Ben, see the tombs of kings and queens in Westminster Abbey, watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and feed the ducks in St James’s Park. Cross the river and the London Eye lifts you high above it all.

With so much to see, it is easy to waste time in queues. We help you choose the right tickets and tours, find a good place to stay and get more out of every day.

1066 the first coronation in Westminster Abbey
3 Tube lines at Westminster Station
96 m the Elizabeth Tower, home of Big Ben

The west front and twin towers of Westminster Abbey

Traveller favourites

The best tours & tickets from Westminster

Top-rated experiences booked through GetYourGuide, from the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey to the London Eye, the Tower of London and the Thames. Tap any tour for live prices and availability.

The Palace of Westminster and the Elizabeth Tower seen from the road on Westminster Bridge

Walking tour Year-round

Westminster walking tour with the Changing of the Guard

2–3 hours
Westminster

Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Downing Street with a guide
A good spot for the Changing of the Guard

Check availability

The great timber roof and stone walls of Westminster Hall, inside the Palace of Westminster

Guided tour Most Saturdays, and weekdays when Parliament is in recess

Houses of Parliament guided tour

About 90 minutes
Cromwell Green visitor entrance, Westminster

Westminster Hall, built in 1097
The House of Commons and House of Lords chambers

Check availability

The high Gothic nave of Westminster Abbey, with visitors walking towards the choir screen

Entry ticket Year-round; Monday to Saturday for sightseeing

Westminster Abbey entry ticket

About 2 hours
Westminster Abbey, Parliament Square

The coronation church since 1066
Poets’ Corner and the royal tombs

Check availability

The London Eye lit up at twilight behind a row of trees strung with blue lights

Attraction Year-round

London Eye ticket

About 30 minutes per rotation
South Bank, across Westminster Bridge

Views of up to about 40 kilometres on a clear day
Fast-track tickets to skip the main queue

Check availability

A red and white sightseeing boat on the River Thames in front of riverside warehouses

Cruise Year-round

Thames river cruise from Westminster Pier

40 minutes to 1 hour each way
Westminster Pier

Sail past the South Bank, St Paul’s and the Tower
On to Tower Bridge and Greenwich

Check availability

The Tower of London and its walls beside the Thames, seen from high above

Entry ticket Year-round

Tower of London and the Crown Jewels

3–4 hours
Tower Hill

The Crown Jewels in the Jewel House
Tours with a Yeoman Warder

Check availability

A small bedroom with a desk, telephone and maps in the Churchill War Rooms

Museum Year-round

Churchill War Rooms ticket

1½–2 hours
King Charles Street, Westminster

The secret bunker where Churchill’s government worked in the war
The Map Room, left as it was in 1945

Check availability

The standing stones of Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain under a cloudy sky

Day trip Year-round

Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath day trip

Full day, about 12 hours
Central London

Windsor Castle, a royal home for over 900 years
Stonehenge and the Roman Baths in Bath

Check availability

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Where to go

Must-see places around Westminster

From Big Ben and the Abbey to Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, the London Eye and the Tower of London.

The Palace of Westminster and the Elizabeth Tower beside the River Thames under a blue sky with clouds

Landmark

Houses of Parliament and Big Ben

The Palace of Westminster

The Gothic Revival home of the UK Parliament on the Thames, with the Elizabeth Tower and its great bell, Big Ben, and the medieval Westminster Hall inside.

Abbey

Westminster Abbey

Coronations since 1066

The great Gothic church where English and British monarchs have been crowned since 1066, with royal tombs, Poets’ Corner and more than 3,000 people buried or remembered.

Palace

Buckingham Palace

The monarch’s London residence

The official London residence of the monarch since 1837, famous for the Changing of the Guard, the balcony and, in summer, tours of the State Rooms.

Square

Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery

Nelson’s Column and great art

London’s central square, with Nelson’s Column, its four bronze lions and the free National Gallery, home to one of the world’s great collections of paintings.

Viewpoint

London Eye

London from 135 metres

The giant observation wheel on the South Bank, opposite the Houses of Parliament, with slow 30-minute rides and views across the whole of London.

Castle

Tower of London

The Crown Jewels and the White Tower

The fortress founded by William the Conqueror on the Thames, home to the Crown Jewels, the Yeoman Warders and the ravens, beside Tower Bridge.

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The Mall lined with Union flags, leading towards Admiralty Arch

Where to stay

Palace views, riverside rooms and theatreland

Where you stay shapes your trip. We compare four areas near Westminster, with the trade-offs of each and direct hotel searches.

Westminster and St James’s for the sights
The South Bank for river views
Covent Garden for theatres and nightlife
Victoria and Pimlico for value

Read the accommodation guide Search London hotels

Stories & guides

Latest from the blog

Itineraries, royal ceremonies, Tube tips and day trips for your London trip.

The small entrance to the Churchill War Rooms at the foot of Clive Steps, beside grand government buildings

Sights

Visiting the Churchill War Rooms: tickets, highlights and tips

November 2, 2026

Plan your visit to the Churchill War Rooms: how to get there from Westminster Station, how long to allow, what to see underground and when to go.

The Gothic north front of Westminster Abbey lit up at night

Sights

Visiting Westminster Abbey: tickets, highlights and tips

October 30, 2026

How to visit Westminster Abbey: opening days, tickets, the highlights inside, from the royal tombs to Poets’ Corner, and how to attend a service for free.

Glowing angel-shaped Christmas lights hanging above Regent Street at night

Seasons

Christmas in London: lights, markets and ice rinks near Westminster

October 27, 2026

Where to see London’s Christmas lights, trees, markets and ice rinks, all within easy reach of Westminster, with tips on carol services, crowds and Christmas Day transport.

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Plan like a local

Free Westminster and London travel guides

The London Eye and County Hall beside the Thames, with a riverboat passing in front

Tours & Tickets

Our pick of tours, attraction tickets, river cruises and day trips from Westminster, with who each one suits.

The entrance to Westminster Underground station, with its blue sign above the stairs

Getting There

Airports, Eurostar, the Tube, buses, river boats and paying for travel in London, explained.

The Palace of Westminster, the Elizabeth Tower and Westminster Bridge lit up at night and reflected in the Thames

Travel Guide

Weather, seasons, events, money, safety and etiquette: what to know before you visit Westminster and London.

Plan your London trip

From Big Ben to the Tower of London

Tour the Houses of Parliament, walk through a thousand years of history in Westminster Abbey, ride the London Eye or cruise down the Thames to the Tower. Compare tours and book in a couple of taps.

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Good to know

Visiting Westminster: your questions answered

Is this the official Westminster Station or Transport for London website?

No. WestminsterStation.com is an independent visitor’s guide. We are not Transport for London or London Underground, and we are not connected with the UK Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the Royal Household, Westminster City Council or any of the attractions we describe. For journey planning and service updates, please use the official TfL website.

Which Tube lines stop at Westminster Station?

Westminster Station is on the Jubilee, District and Circle lines, in fare zone 1. The Jubilee line links it with Waterloo, London Bridge, Canary Wharf and Bond Street. The District and Circle lines run east to Embankment and Tower Hill, and west to Victoria and South Kensington. Read our guide to getting around London.

How many days do I need in London?

Three or four days is enough for the highlights: a day in Westminster, a day for the Tower, St Paul’s and the South Bank, a day of museums and a day trip or a show. See our one-day Westminster itinerary to start.

When is the best time to visit London?

Late spring and early autumn, from May to June and September to October, usually bring mild weather and fewer crowds than July and August. Summer is the only time to tour the Buckingham Palace State Rooms, and December has Christmas lights and markets. See when to visit.

Is it free to visit Westminster?

Much of it is. You can see Big Ben, Parliament Square, the Changing of the Guard and St James’s Park for free, and watch debates in Parliament for free when it is sitting. The National Gallery and Tate Britain are free too. Westminster Abbey, the London Eye and the Churchill War Rooms charge for entry.

Do I need cash in London?

Hardly ever. Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, and London buses do not take cash at all. You can pay for the Tube by tapping a contactless card or phone at the gates.