Living in London may be a little bit overwhelming as it is one of the busiest cities in the world with tons of things to do. However, fear not! This blog covers what to see and do in Westminster and the neighbouring area. From the London Eye to the Big Ben and from St. James’s Park to Buckingham Palace, you can explore them all in just half a day.
- 1. Start your trip at the Golden Jubilee Bridge from the South Bank
Let’s start your day here. Climb the bridge, but don’t cross it, and take this iconic panorama view from the middle of the bridge. After that, head back towards the London Eye. Take a nice close-up shot and enjoy the fresh riverside air. If you are lucky, you may even encounter some talented performances around here. Be sure to show the performers some love.
- 2. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
Next, cross the Westminster Bridge and head towards the Houses of Parliament. This is where politicians debate each other. Besides the Houses of Parliament, stands the most famous landmark in London: the Elizabeth Tower or Big Ben. (Strictly speaking, Big Ben is the name of the giant bell inside the clock tower, while the tower itself is named Elizabeth. The more you know!) To cover all angles, you may want to take photos from both sides of the bridge before crossing it.
- 3. Parliament Square and the Horse Guards
Beyond the Elizabeth Tower lies Parliament Square. There are many statues of famous historical figures in the square so be sure to take your time to appreciate them. After that, put the Horse Guards in your navigation app and walk towards them. You’ll arrive at a building with two guards on horses stationed at the front. You are welcome to give the horse a little pat, but, as the nearby sign says, beware of the horses! Proceed through the arch to reach the other side of the Horse Guards. Usually, there will be a guard changing ceremony from here to Buckingham Palace. Since the schedule is subject to change, check the official website before you start this itinerary.
- 4. St. James’s Park
From the Horse Guards, you should see the vast greenery space in front of you. This is St. James’s Park, one of my favourite parks in London. You can explore the park at your own pace, depending on how much time you have or whether nature is a thing for you. There are several trivial things to do at St. James’s Park: walk along the pond to admire flocks of geese and ducks, play with squirrels which are literally everywhere in the park, stop by the white bridge in the middle of the park to take photos of the iconic views. The park is especially magnificent in the autumn, so you should revisit it.
- 5. Buckingham Palace
On the other side of St. James’s Park is the renowned Buckingham Palace. (Or use your navigation app if you can’t find it!) Same as the Horse Guards, there are scheduled guard changing ceremonies on certain days of the week, and it’s free. Again, check the official website prior to your visit to avoid disappointment. The State Rooms inside the Palace are open once a year during the summer, usually for ten weeks, so that’s your chance to look inside. Otherwise, take a photo next to the Victoria Memorial in front of the Palace and admire the beauty of the building. Finally, end your journey by walking through Green Park towards Piccadilly Circus, where you can find some good restaurants and cafes to rest your legs.
