WHAT TO DO IN WESTMINSTER, LONDON IN A SNAP

Westminster, being the political and administrative center of the United Kingdom, has long been a major tourist attraction in the city of London. A slew of good pubs and restaurants along the banks of the River Thames, which borders stately buildings, religious institutions, historic sites, and other attractions. However, there is much more to it than meets the eye.

It is, without a doubt, the most well-known region in the United Kingdom. Each and every day, Westminster makes headlines for the right reasons: it is a place of intrigue, triumph, disappointment, and scandal, the likes of which would make any soap opera producer pleased. And this is due to the fact that the laws of the United Kingdom, its future, and its government are all vigorously argued in the Palace of Westminster. Westminster Abbey is frequently used as a focal point for national grief and celebration events. The prime minister resides in this building. Buckingham Palace, where the Queen resides, is directly across the street. The region is also one of the greatest in London to explore on foot because it is packed with history and is presented in a compelling manner at every turn.

There are actually two Westminsters: the government district that hugs the River Thames between the bridges of Hungerford and Vauxhall, and the City of Westminster, a borough of London that encompasses the former Westminster and extends as far north as Regent's Park driving directions . The former Westminster is located between the bridges of Hungerford and Vauxhall. It is the first of these that will be covered in this tour, a little slice of Central London that is sandwiched between the Thames and the roads Vauxhall Bridge Road and The Mall, which come together at a position near Victoria train station.

A Place in the Government

The Palace of Westminster is the official name for the Houses of Parliament, which are located in London. Since the early 11th century, there has been some form of royally appointed edifice here beside the river, however the location has changed numerous times due to fires and additions to the structure. At one point, the ruling king resided here, and subsequently, in the early 1500s, Parliament relocated here permanently after meeting there on a regular basis for the previous two centuries. The current incarnation is a neo-gothic masterpiece constructed during the reign of Queen Victoria. And it's a building that is well-known around the world, thanks in part to its Elizabeth Tower, which houses the famous Big Ben clock. At the time of writing, Big Ben was undergoing a meticulous renovation, but it should be visible and loud once more by 2021, according to the National Trust.

This is the greatest location from which to begin your investigation of Westminster, and the famed sights are plenty and easily accessible. It is likely that you may witness some type of demonstration in Parliament Square Garden, and depending on the cause, one of the many monuments or prominent political personalities such as Winston Churchill or Millicent Garrett Fawcett would serve as a focal point for the protesters' assembly. Some of the most prominent structures in the area include the Churchill War Rooms (Clive Steps), which served as a secret office during World War II, and the Supreme Court (Little George St), which features intricate relief carvings.

Tumult in the Religious Community

The most notable structure, however, is Westminster Abbey (20 Deans Yard), which was built before any of the other structures in the area. Under its grounds and within its walls lie crucial chapters in the history of England, the United Kingdom, and sometimes the entire world. Rudyard Kipling, Charles Darwin, Sir Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking, Charles Dickens, and Laurence Olivier are just a few of the many famous people who are buried here, along with the majority of the former kings of England and Britain, including the late Queen Elizabeth II. Since 1066, all but two of the country's rulers have been crowned here, and many high-profile weddings and burials have taken place here as well.