The area of Westminster is well known for its political history and the Houses of Parliament. Collectively known as Parliament, the institution is home to two main houses; the House of Commons and House of Lords. Parliament’s origins date back as far as the 12th Century and over the years numerous changes, damage and redesign have shaped the building to become of the most recognizable landmarks in London. This most famous of institutes also holds the title of the Palace of Westminster and is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

Address: Westminster, London SW1A 0AA
Phone: 020 7219 3000

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Perhaps the most well known part of Parliament is Big Ben. Big Ben is actually the nickname for the clock that sits at the north eastern end of the Palace of Westminster, or Parliament. This stunning time piece is the largest four faced clock in the world and we will celebrate 150 years of its service in 2009.

Address: Westminster, London SW1A 0AA
Phone: 0844 847 1672

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Another great place to visit is Parliament Square. Here you’ll not only be surrounded by the wonderful attractions in Westminster, you’ll also have the Gallery of Statues to marvel at, which includes monuments to Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Benjamin Disraeli.

Address: London SW1P 3JX

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Stroll along Whitehall, one of the most famous roads in all of London, and you’ll get a chance to view some of the most impressive architecture and famous buildings in the capital. Whitehall runs from Parliament Square right through to Charing Cross, and some of the famous attractions you’ll see along here include the Horse Guards, Banqueting House, the Cenotaph and of course Downing Street!

Address: Westminster, London SW1A 2BX

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The Horse Guards is a stunning 18th Century Grade I listed building and is the former home of the British army’s general staff. Today it is the site of the changing of the guard and is a really popular tourist spot.

Address: Whitehall, London SW1A 2EU

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Take a tour of Banqueting House and you’ll find plenty of interesting things to see. You can view the spectacular Rubens Ceiling, listen to an audio guide about the hall and take a look at the eerily significant Charles I scaffold!

Address: Whitehall, London SW1A 2ER
Phone: 0844 482 7777

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The Cenotaph is one of the most poignant and standout features of Whitehall. The monument stands to remember lost soldiers and is the site of the annual Remembrance Sunday. This is a really important monument for the history of the nation and one that you should definitely take the time to visit.

Address: Whitehall, Westminster, London SW1A 2BX

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The list of famous places in Westminster is really impressive with a huge number of London’s finest attractions found within it. Another of these is Downing Street! Famously the home of the Prime Minister at number 10 and Chancellor of the Exchequer at number 11, you won’t be able to enter the street, but you will be able to view it from Whitehall.

Address: 10 Downing St, London SW1A 2AA
Phone: 020 7925 0918

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To gain an insight into the life and times of Sir Winston Churchill you have to come to the Churchill Museum & Cabinet War Rooms! If you have any interest in the history of this great man or the Second World War you really can’t afford to miss out on this fascinating attraction. Just some of the things you can see here are the cabinet rooms where Churchill directed the country in the Second World War, the Map Room and Churchill’s very own bedroom!

Address: King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AQ
Phone: 020 7930 6961

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As the River Thames acts as a real central artery for London there are a number of historic bridges that cross it, and Westminster Bridge is one of the most well known. Westminster Bridge is a great viewing point, and you could just take a stroll on it to get a view of the London skyline and the attractions in the area.

Address: Westminster, London, SE1 7PB

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Another of the great political institutions in the district is Central Hall Westminster. The hall was erected in memory of John Wesley and was funded by over a million contributors in what became known as the ‘Million Guinea Fund’. It is located just across the road from Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, and you can come here for a guided tour or to catch one of the events running.

Address: Storeys Gate, London SW1H 9NH
Phone: 020 7222 8010

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One of the most famous sites in the whole of London and a place you really don’t want to miss is Westminster Abbey. This Gothic style church is absolutely stunning, and tradition says that its origins stem back as far as 616. Come here to get a sense of the building’s rich history, take a guided tour and visit the museum. Westminster Abbey has also been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Another important building that sits on the site of Westminster Abbey is St Margaret’s. This 12th Century Anglican Church has a number of notable features, including stunning stain glass windows remembering historical figures that include Sir Walter Raleigh, amongst others.

Address: 20 Deans Yd, London SW1P 3PA
Phone: 020 7222 5152

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Lesser known than some of the more illustrious attractions in Westminster is Jewel Tower, a hidden gem that has stood since the 14th Century. You can come here to visit the exhibition depicting the history of Parliament. Jewel Tower is one of only two surviving parts of the medieval Palace of Westminster and was originally built to hold the treasures of Edward III.

Address: Abingdon Street, London SW1P 3JX
Phone: 020 7222 2219

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Millbank is an area in Westminster that is home to a number of attractions and famous places. You’ll find the Tate Britain here, along with the Chelsea College of Art and Design, Millbank Studios, Millbank Pier and Millbank Tower.

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If you enjoy modern architecture and design, you’ll love Millbank Pier. The pier has received several awards for its creative and excellent design, including the RIBA award for best new building of the year in 2004.

Address: Millbank, Westminster, London SW1P 4GT
Phone: 020 7606 3030

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Another must see during your visit to London is the Tate Britain. This amazing art gallery sits overlooking the Thames and is home to arguably the finest collection of British art from 1500 to the present day. One of the key features of the Tate Britain, and something that truly draws art lovers from all over the world, is that it plays host to the winner of the Turner Prize.

Address: Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
Phone: 020 7887 8888

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As there is so much to see and do in Westminster, you’re going to need somewhere to sit down and take it all in, and Victoria Tower Gardens is the ideal place. This public park is located next to Parliament and has a number of interesting sculptures and statues in it, including the Buxton Fountain Memorial, a statue of Emmeline Pankhurst, and a reproduction of Rodin’s The Burghers of Calais.

Address: Abingdon Street, Westminster, Parliament Square, London SW1A 2NE

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