London is a city of layers, but nowhere are those layers more fascinating than in Westminster. This is the borough where kings have been crowned, parliaments have debated, and history has been made for over a thousand years. It is where Big Ben still chimes above the River Thames, where monarchs live, and where you can wander between grandeur and hidden corners in a matter of steps. In this guide, we will walk you through the highlights, lesser-known gems, and share our own experiences of returning to London time and again as a couple who never tire of this remarkable place.
Westminster is one of the 12 inner city boroughs. Each year, 28 million people visit the area.
What you will find in this post
A Brief History of Westminster
Walk the History of Westminster
A Brief History of Westminster
Westminster was once little more than an island above the marshes of the Thames. By 785 AD, monks had established a church here, and centuries later, King Edward the Confessor transformed it into a palace and a great abbey. In 1066, William the Conqueror was crowned here, marking the beginning of a tradition that continues inside Westminster Abbey to this day. When fire destroyed much of the royal palace in 1512, Parliament moved in, and Westminster became the centre of political life in England. Even today, the southern edge of the borough meets the Thames, continuing its story as a place where power, faith, and history all converge.
the Thames and the Palace of Westminster
Need to know
Westminster is central, busy, and unforgettable. The currency is the pound sterling (GBP), and a week in London for a couple averages around £2,088.
Weather can be unpredictable, with winter highs sitting around nine degrees and summer temperatures climbing to twenty-three. Sunshine, showers, and cloudy skies often share the same day. The most extended daylight arrives in June, stretching beyond sixteen hours, while December shortens the days to just eight. Rainfall peaks in November and August, with March and April typically being drier. For many travellers, the best time to visit is between March and May, when the parks are lush, the air is mild, and the crowds have yet to swell.
Couples’ Take: Don’t be put off by the weather forecast. Bring a light raincoat, share an umbrella, and enjoy the adventure regardless. Some of the best London memories are made under grey skies.
The Icons of Westminster
Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster
Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster are perhaps the most famous landmarks of all. Strictly speaking, Big Ben refers to the bell inside the Elizabeth Tower, which was renamed in 2012 in honour of Queen Elizabeth II. However, the world still commonly refers to the entire tower by the Same Name. The neighbouring Palace, once a royal residence, became the home of Parliament after fire swept through in 1512. Another blaze in 1834 destroyed much of it again, but its Gothic revival rebuild created the striking building we see today. By day or by night, standing on Westminster Bridge and gazing across at this scene is unforgettable.
Couples’ Take: Visit after dark. The golden light of the tower reflected in the Thames is one of the most romantic sights in London.
Westminster Abbey
Not far away, Westminster Abbey rises in all its medieval splendour. Every monarch since 1066 has been crowned here, and over three thousand people are buried within its walls, from kings and queens to poets and scientists. Walking through the Abbey feels like stepping through the pages of history. Allow yourself time to sit quietly and explore.
Couples’ Take: If you can, attend Evensong. It is free, and hearing the Abbey filled with choral voices brings its purpose to life in a way a ticketed tour never could.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Further along stands Buckingham Palace, the London home of the monarch. Crowds gather daily for the Changing of the Guard, a ceremony of precision and pomp that is distinctly British. In summer, the State Rooms open to the public, revealing the opulence inside. The palace is fronted by wide boulevards and bordered by St. James’s Park, which softens the grandeur with its lush greenery.
Couples’ Take: Watch the Guard, then wander into St James’s Park for coffee together. The quieter setting makes the moment your own.
Churchill War Rooms
For something entirely different, step below ground into the Churchill War Rooms. Here, beneath the streets, Churchill and his team directed Britain’s World War II strategy. Preserved as they were left in 1945, the rooms give a gripping insight into life during wartime. Maps still cover the walls, telephones rest on desks, and the echoes of history linger.
Couples’ Take: This is one museum that wins over even the most reluctant visitor. It is moving, fascinating, and an excellent option for a rainy day.
Nelson’s Column
Finally, make time for Trafalgar Square, one of London’s grand gathering places. Anchored by Nelson’s Column and guarded by its four bronze lions, the square hums with life. From here, theatres, galleries, and side streets open in every direction. It is a place to pause, to people-watch, and to soak in the energy of the city.
Couples’ Take: Sit on the steps together and just take it all in. London moves fast, but in moments like these, time slows down.
Westminster’s Hidden Gems
The Jewel Tower
Westminster rewards those who step away from the obvious. The Jewel Tower, a rare survivor of the original Palace, is a tiny time capsule often overlooked by the crowds and one of our favourite finds. St Margaret’s Church, standing quietly beside the Abbey, is known as the parish church of the House of Commons and has its own gentle story to tell.
At Horse Guards Parade, you can see ceremonial guards without the crush of Buckingham Palace. At the same time, Victoria Tower Gardens offers a peaceful patch of green with striking views of Parliament and the river. We have also caught a changing of the guard at St James Palace.
Couples’ Take: We love finding these quieter places. After the intensity of the big sights, slipping into a hidden garden or tower together gives balance to the day.
Westminster’s best Vantage points
St Margaret’s Church
Westminster rewards those who step away from the obvious. The Jewel Tower, a rare survivor of the original Palace, is a tiny time capsule often overlooked by crowds. St Margaret’s Church, standing beside the Abbey, is known as the parish church of the House of Commons and has its own quiet story to tell.
At Horse Guards Parade, you can see ceremonial guards without the crush of Buckingham Palace. At the same time, Victoria Tower Gardens offers a peaceful patch of green with striking views of Parliament and the river.
Couples’ Take: We love finding these quieter places. After the intensity of the significant sights, slipping into a hidden garden or tower together gives balance to the day.
Walk the History of Westminster
Looking across from near Lambeth Bridge
The best way to explore Westminster is on foot. Begin at Westminster Abbey, then wander through Parliament Square, where statues of global leaders stand watch. Cross to the Palace of Westminster and pause on Westminster Bridge for those iconic photos. From there, we continued along the Thames to Lambeth Bridge, enjoying a different angle of the Houses of Parliament before looping back through Victoria Tower Gardens. The walk concluded at the Jewel Tower, one of the few remaining parts of the original Palace of Westminster and a hidden gem often overlooked by visitors.
Couples’ Take: Plan for a lunch break in a traditional pub or an afternoon tea along the way. These pauses often become as memorable as the sights themselves.
More From Us
Westminster is the beating heart of London. It is where history is written, where tourists flock, and where quiet corners still invite you to pause. Whether you are standing under the clock tower at Big Ben, gazing up at stained glass in Westminster Abbey, or finding a quiet bench in a hidden garden, you are walking through centuries of stories.
Couples’ Take: Balance the grandeur with the gentle moments. Take the photos, see the icons, but also pause for coffee, conversation, and a shared laugh along the way. These are the threads that weave your travel memories together.
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