Stage
1 - Westminster
The walk is a circular walk, so it doesn't matter really where you
start. We have chosen Westminster Underground Station, served by the
Circle, District and Jubilee lines of the London Underground.
Big Ben & Houses of Parliament
When you come out of the main exit, perhaps London's most famous icon,
Big Ben towers above you. You are standing at the western end of Westminster
Bridge. Cross over the busy main road in front of you, using the official
crossing or underpass. Big Ben is part of the Palace of Westminster
originally started in 1020. The palace was burnt down in 1834, so
the Gothic architecture you see today is comparatively recent.
The palace houses both of the the UK's ruling bodies, the Houses of
Parliament and the House of Lords.
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Big
Ben From River Thames |
| When
parliament is sitting after dark, a light shines from the top of Big
Ben's tower. For obvious reasons, security is out in force. It is
possible to arrange tours, visit debates in the chamber, even climb
Big Ben's tower. However don't expect just to turn up and walk in.
For UK residents going through their own MP it is much easier than
for foreign visitors who can only tour during the summer opening with
tickets purchased in advance. |
Map Key
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1 -
Big Ben/Parliament
2 - St Margarets
3 - Jewel Tower
4 - Deans Yard
5 - Westminster Abbey
6 - Central Hall
7 - Cabinet War Rooms
8 - Cenotaph
9 - Downing Street
10 - Banqueting House
11 - Horseguards
12 - Buckingham Palace
13 - Duke Yorks Column
14 - ICA
15 - The Citadel
16 - Admiralty Arch
17 - Trafalgar Square
18 - National Gallery
19 - Portrait Gallery
20 - St Martins
21 - Festival Hall
22 - London Eye
23 - County Hall
24 - Florence Nightingale Museum
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Walk
along the eastern boundary of Parliament Square heading south with
Westminster Palace on your left.
On the green area in the centre of Parliament Square there are normally
protesters of one sort or another with placards and sometimes tents.
The centre area is not solid earth, if a vehicle strayed onto the
green there is a chance it may fall into the London Underground line
below. |
St
Margarets Parliament Square |
St Margarets Church
At the south side of Parliament Square on the opposite side of the
road is a church, St Margarets. The famous Westminster Abbey dwarfs
it behind. We visit Westminster Abbey later. In such a position, and
dating back to the 11th century, St Margarets is steeped in history.
St Margarets acts as the local church for the House of Commons opposite.
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