Westminster station | London Westminster guide

Situated by the River Thames, Westminster tube station was opened in 1868 and comprehensively modernised and upgraded in 1999. Dominated by the iconic Houses of Parliament, the Westminster area is at the heart of British political life. Neighbouring districts include Victoria, Pimlico and Belgravia. Westminster tube station is in Zone 1 and serves the Circle, District and Jubilee lines. Its adjacent stations are Embankment, St James's Park, Green Park and Waterloo.

Attractions Near Westminster

A royal residence until the early 16th century, the Houses of Parliament are officially known as the Palace of Westminster. Home to almost 1,200 rooms and more than two miles of corridors, the Palace as it exists today was rebuilt following a fire in 1834. One of London's best-loved landmarks, Big Ben is the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament. The name Big Ben actually refers to the bell inside the tower, which weighs almost 16 tonnes and was named after Sir Benjamin Hall MP. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben are best seen from a Thames River cruise, ideally at night when the buildings are illuminated in spectacular style. No visit to the area would be complete without seeing Westminster Abbey, site of the coronation of almost every king and queen of England.

Westminster Restaurants And Bars

With an eclectic international menu and stunning interior, The Atrium is currently the restaurant of choice for politicians based in the nearby Houses of Parliament. Also well-known as a political hangout, the Red Lion pub is famous for being the closest pub to Downing Street. It is small and can feel crowded at busy times, but is worth visiting if you fancy eavesdropping on some political gossip. Also highly recommended is The Old Star, a Grade II listed pub, which in its 125 years has played host to numerous Prime Ministers including William Churchill.