Must-Do Activities Around Westminster Abbey

Uncover exciting activities around Westminster Abbey you won’t want to miss.

Published: March 20, 2025

Westminster Abbey is a towering historical gem at the heart of England’s capital. But there’s much more to this area than the abbey itself. Whether you're an art lover, history buff, or just someone looking for a delightful afternoon, you'll find a plethora of engaging activities to explore. From awe-inspiring museums to relaxing gardens, delicious eateries, and lively entertainment options, the area surrounding Westminster Abbey offers a wealth of experiences. Let’s dive into the top things to do around this iconic landmark and plan your perfect London trip!

The Abbey’s Gardens

After exploring Westminster Abbey, relax in its lush gardens. The College Garden, one of the oldest in England, is a serene retreat. Stroll among ancient trees and blooming plants, taking a moment to unwind. It’s an unexpected oasis where history and nature combine, providing a peaceful escape amid your London adventures.

Houses of Parliament

Step into the world of British politics with a tour of the Houses of Parliament. Admire the Gothic architecture and explore the hallowed halls where history has been made. The guided tours are informative and interactive, offering insights into the workings of government. Feel the excitement of standing in spaces where historic debates occur and enjoy stunning views of the River Thames from the terrace. Come for the architecture, stay for the history!

St. James's Park

Take a stroll through St. James's Park, a lush oasis right in the city. Feel the refreshing breeze as you wander past charming lakes, vibrant flowerbeds, and lively wildlife. With views of Buckingham Palace and iconic London landmarks, it’s the perfect spot for a picnic or a leisurely walk. Enjoy the calm ambiance as ducks and pelicans frolic in the water, adding a touch of whimsy to your day.

Buckingham Palace

Witness the grandeur of Buckingham Palace, the King’s official London residence. Stroll along The Mall with views of the magnificent palace façade. If visiting during summer, you might tour the State Rooms, adorned with splendid art and decor. Its presence is undeniably majestic, offering a glimpse into royal life.

Tate Britain

For art enthusiasts, Tate Britain is a must-visit. Dive into centuries of British art, from J.M.W. Turner’s landscapes to contemporary masterpieces. The grand galleries showcase the evolution of art in an inspiring setting. The atmosphere is both beautiful and contemplative, offering a perfect escape into creativity. Enjoy a coffee in the cozy cafe while discussing your favourite pieces—culture and relaxation combined!

The Royal Horseguards Parade

Witness the spectacular ceremony of the Changing the Guard at The Royal Horseguards Parade. It’s a classic display of British pageantry, featuring immaculate uniforms and precision drills. Feel the excitement as the band plays and the guards march, offering a taste of royal tradition. It’s a colourful spectacle that’s both fun and awe-inspiring, perfect for visitors of all ages.

Westminster Bridge

Walk across Westminster Bridge for stunning views of the London skyline. Capture memorable photos with Big Ben in the background and enjoy the lively buzz of London life. It’s a testament to the city’s vibrancy, blending historic charm with contemporary energy. The view at sunset, with colours reflecting on the Thames, is particularly magical—a perfect moment to savour.

Downing Street

While you can't enter, walking past Downing Street offers a glimpse into the political heart of the UK. Snap a photo of the iconic black door of Number 10 and imagine the important decisions made within. The historical significance adds to the allure of this famous location. It's a quick stop you won’t want to miss.

Lambeth Palace

Discover the historic Lambeth Palace, the residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Its rich history dates back to the 13th century, and its gardens are a peaceful retreat from the city bustle. Enjoy tours that offer insights into the church’s legacy and take in the serene beauty of the library and chapels. The peaceful atmosphere is a refreshing change of pace, making it a delightful visit.

Covent Garden

Head to Covent Garden for vibrant street performances and lively shopping. The area buzzes with energy, offering unique boutiques, chic cafes, and entertainment. Watch skilled performers captivate crowds while you chow down on a treat from the market. It’s a delightful mix of culture and commerce, making it a wonderful spot to soak up London’s dynamic atmosphere.

The London Eye

Experience unbeatable views with a ride on The London Eye. As Europe’s largest Ferris wheel, it offers panoramic sights of London’s iconic landmarks. The gentle rotation provides a relaxing yet thrilling way to see the city from a new perspective. Whether daytime or evening, the vistas are stunning—perfect for photographers and dreamers alike!

The National Gallery

Art lovers rejoice at The National Gallery, home to over 2,000 masterpieces. Wander through halls adorned with works from Van Gogh to Da Vinci, offering a feast for the eyes. The gallery’s grandeur matches the art, creating a serene setting for artistic exploration. Engage with the exhibitions through guided tours or simply revel in the beauty at your own pace.

The Southbank Centre

Discover diverse art and entertainment at The Southbank Centre. Its vibrant program of music, theatre, and exhibitions keeps culture enthusiasts entertained. Explore the riverside setting, grab a bite from nearby food stalls, and enjoy the lively atmosphere. There’s always something happening, ensuring a dynamic and enriching experience.

Build your unique London itinerary with our trip planner

We’ll give you the best route to check off all your must-sees, museums, landmarks and more

Create my own Generate my trip

BETA

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

Step back to the Elizabethan era at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Attend captivating performances in a replica of the original 1599 theatre. The open-air venue and period costumes create an authentic experience, transporting you to Shakespeare’s time. Whether you’re a history lover or theatre enthusiast, it’s a memorable cultural journey.

River Thames Cruise

Set sail on a River Thames cruise for a different view of London’s landmarks. Relax as you glide past the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, and more. The commentary adds enriching stories, enhancing your understanding of London’s history. It’s a delightful way to enjoy the city’s beauty, suitable for families and solo travellers.

Enjoy exploring these incredible sights and experiences within reach of Westminster Abbey! Whether you’re diving into history or enjoying the vibrant culture, your London adventure will be truly unforgettable.

For more London fun, check out our picks of the capital’s best hidden gems, and brush up on your London facts to impress your friends!

Step up your sightseeing with The London Pass®.

We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.

See more, do more, and experience more with The London Pass® - just choose a pass to get started!

This article was generated with the help of AI to provide accurate and up-to-date information. The Go City team has reviewed and curated the content to ensure it meets our quality standards for accuracy and relevance.

Discover {{destinationFullName}} itineraries

Continue reading

Blog

The Best Pub Crawls in London

These are the best London pub crawls and bar crawls London has to offer, whether you’re on a historical hunt or looking for something louder. The pub scene is bustling with excitement and creativity, giving rise to some innovative ideas and pub crawl themes that will make your night unforgettable. Visiting your local pub is a rite of passage for many Brits. And that’s certainly the case for Londoners. But once in a while, when the weather is fine (or not fine), you’re feeling in the mood (or really not in the mood), you’ve got money in your pocket (or barely any money in your pocket) and you’re in good company (or completely alone), you want to go out for a pub crawl. We reckon this is particularly true for day-trippers and other holidaymakers, just in London for a bit. Because why see one pub on your visit to London when you could see 30? So here’s our guide to some of the most popular pub crawls in London and ideas to inspire your adventure. Featured in this guide: Monopoly Pub Crawl The Historical Crawl London Literary Pub Crawl The Shoreditch Pub Crawl And more... Monopoly pub crawl Named after the beloved board game, the goal of the Monopoly Pub Crawl is to make it to 26 different pubs located close to 26 different London tube stations. It’s so popular that it’s garnered its own website and internet following, with a monopoly board detailing every single location from the Lord Nelson on Old Kent Road through to the Spread Eagle on Oxford Street. Remember kids: drinking, unlike Monopoly, is not a game. But both the game and the crawl can take up an entire day. And ruin the next one. Pubs on the crawl include: Ye Grapes in Mayfair, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street, and 24 other pubs that may or may not have Ye in their name Attractions along the way: Trafalgar Square, Eros Statue, King’s Cross Station, London Transport Museum The Historical pub crawl Hailed by The Telegraph as a crawl taking in ‘London’s most fascinating historical nuggets,' this route starts off in Blackfriars and takes you through to Holborn. It’s a much more manageable trek with just six spots on the list, but each one is steeped in British history from the Grade II listed Blackfriar with its stained glass details, through to the rich timber wood of the Cittie of Yorke, tucked away in a cellar. If you’re on the lookout for more historic watering holes, check out our guide to the Oldest Pubs in London. Pubs on the crawl include: Cittie of Yorke in Holborn, Blackfriar in Blackfriars Attractions along the way: London Transport Museum The Circle Line pub crawl No surprises here: this pub crawl is a relatively straightforward one that follows the Circle Line around the heart of London. It one-ups the Monopoly Pub Crawl, both literally and metaphorically, as you’ll have to hit 27 bars to fully complete the crawl. Starting and ending in Embankment (with a suggested celebratory tipple in Leicester Square, because you’ll probably need a drink after you’ve completed it), it follows the Circle Line – which, funnily enough, doesn’t resemble a circle, but a beer bottle. They suggest you do it in 12 hours, having half pints in each pub. Pubs on the crawl include: The crawl website gives you multiple options for each station, so take your pick. Or choose a pub local to a station to suit your tastes. Attractions along the way: Tower Bridge, King’s Cross Station, Barbican Theatre, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben Wimbledon Eight pub crawl Along with the tennis whites and Wombles, Wimbledon’s also home to a pretty amazing pub crawl route. The crawl was popularised by actor Oliver Reed, who allegedly took Steve McQueen on a night out to his favourite Wimbledon pubs. After a 15 minute pint in each, they started the crawl again, though now the common route goes around the board just once. It starts in the Hand in Hand and finishes at the Swan (a replacement for the now-closed Finch’s). Pubs on the crawl include: The Fox and Grapes, The Fire Stables Attractions along the way: Wimbledon Tennis Stadium 💰 >> See how you can save up to 50% with a London attraction pass! Shoreditch pub crawl Shoreditch: home of the hipsters, craft beer hangouts and street art. The neighbourhood has plenty of bars which put a twist on the usual melon man and there's a dedicated Shoreditch Pub Crawl company that'll take you to the quirkiest spots in the area. The kind of places that give Shoreditch its reputation for being...very Shoreditch. It starts off at Sink Pong Bar, a bar filled with ping pong tables. Better bring your A-Game and gym shorts: this is one for shots and dancing and playing around, rather than quiet pubbing. Attractions along the way: Brick Lane, Old Spitalfield Market Because sometimes it’s good to have some culture with your crawl. This special guided crawl lasts 3 hours, involves about a mile of walking. You don’t stop in every pub...so you can still take in all the info. This pub crawl takes you to the favourite boozy haunts of London’s writers and creatives, from Shakespeare to Charles Dickens and Virginia Woolf. You’ll be accompanied by actors playing some of the deceased literary figures and reading famous extracts from their works. It’s a lot of fun and you might find you have something in common with one of the country’s most popular writers...you both like drinking. Pubs on the crawl include: Shhh...it’s a secret Attractions along the way: Pollock's Toy Museum The Sam Smiths pub crawl Okay, so this is officially more of a challenge than a crawl. It’d be impossible to do all of these on one crawl. So please don’t try. Samuel Smith’s Brewery is located in Yorkshire, but they’ve got a number of very popular (and cheap) pubs across London, mainly in the very centre. These guys came up with the Sam Smiths Challenge, where they looked to visit every Sam Smiths pub across the capital. But you can make your own route between these charming, welcoming, and affordable pubs using their map of London Sam Smiths pubs, located on their website. Pubs on the crawl include: every Sam Smiths pub in London London pub crawl themes and ideas Pub crawl themes can add an extra layer of fun to the experience. Some themes could include a costume theme, like dressing up as characters from British history or a favorite movie, or a foodie pub crawl where each stop includes a small bite to mix perfectly your pint experience. Looking for more unique pub crawl ideas? Why not create your own crawl based on your interests? Perhaps a crawl that only stops at pubs with live music, or one that explores London's haunted pub scene? Join the Historic Pub Tour of London with The London Pass® Discover London’s legendary pub culture on this guided tour of four historic ale houses in the heart of the city. Follow in the footsteps of great stalwarts of London’s pubs from centuries gone by: Cromwell, Dickens, Conan Doyle, and more! Planning your London trip? With The London Pass®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50% on loads of London attractions, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. ✈️ Buy The London Pass® ✈️

Megan Hills

Blog

A complete guide to visiting Tower Bridge

You've seen it in the movies, now come and see this star of a bridge in real life. Read on for our tips on how to get there and what to look out for. Don't forget your camera!

Beth Levicki

Blog

Famous London Film Locations: A Movie-Lover's Guide

Lights, camera, action! Trace your way around the capital with these famous London film locations. London is an iconic city for its architecture, culture and general ‘vibe’. What’s more though is that the capital has been immortalised on screen throughout the years and portrayed in many different lights from the mystical and magical, to the nail-biting and thrilling. The city itself has a variety of personas to be discovered on a film tour of London. Let’s take a look at the changing landscapes of London and the iconic scenes from some of our best loved films that have captured London at its best. James Bond James Bond: the world's favourite action hero and Mi6 spy. Okay, we'll give you this as perhaps a bit of an obvious connection London. With offices based on the banks of the Thames, his HQ is frequently featured in the popular series Fleming created so many decades ago. A memorable moment was Pierce Brosnan’s speedboat chase along the Thames in The World is Not Enough. Later, in Skyfall, Daniel Craig symbolically stands on a rooftop in central London with some of the most iconic sights on the horizon, including Big Ben and the tops of the houses of Parliament, with bronze topped domes of local churches in the foreground. Spot some of London's iconic "Bond spots" with a trip down the Thames on a Hop On Hop Off Thames River Cruise - you'll even spot the famous MI6 and MI5 buildings on the rivers-edge to leave you shaken and a bit stirred... with awe. Notting Hill Probably one of the best pop-culture films of the 1990s, Notting Hill, starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, takes you on a tour of London like a local, as lived by a group of thirty-somethings. Grant’s iconic tiny house with the blue door can be found at 280 Westbourne Park Road. Although be warned, you ardent 'grammers, the owners of this house have since painted and changed the façade. His travel bookshop lives at 13-15 Blenheim Crescent. It’s even been renamed Notting Hill Bookshop in homage to the film. While you're wandering around the area, why not check out some of our neighbourhood hot spots courtesy of our Notting Hill area guide. Bridget Jones This much-loved protagonist will always have a soft spot in hearts all of the world, even those who found her antics a bit on the ridiculous side. With an objectively hilarious life and full of love dramas, she was the lovable character of Helen Fielding’s creation. Her quirky flat moved South of the river for the film, from its original location in Holland Park in the books. For those with a keen eye who’ve visited Borough Market, you’ll recognise her black front door beside The Globe pub on Bedale Street. That's a DARN good beady eye for London film locations, well spotted! And those of us with colossally powerful memories might even remember the scene where Darcy and Daniel have their bare-fisted battle and smash through the Greek restaurant. Well, that's now a wine merchant called Bedales, just around the corner in the popular marketplace. Only steps away from this iconic market area, you'll see The Shard soaring into the air, casting a pointy shadow over Bridget's flat. Harry Potter Do you like magic? Do you like train stations that are missing a quarter? Then you'll love Harry Potter and his magical world, based in London. Fans of the books might recognise some architecture featured heavily in the film. The Ministry of Magic was filmed outside Scotland Yard and the street shots (you’ll remember from Diagon Alley) combined Borough Market and Leadenhall Market. Even though they’re not even remotely nearby... And who can forget platform 9 3⁄4 in Kings Cross. The station represents the portal into the magic world to catch the Hogwarts Express train, which is signposted in the actual Kings Cross station. You can even go and get your photo taken there. There's a number of wizarding places scattered across London, from dedicated Harry Potter fan stores to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour where the magic happens to the shaky bridge Voldemort destroys in the last film. Check out our master Harry Potter guide to London - and don't forget to bring a Potterhead or two. Paddington Bear Now a Hollywood Blockbuster, Paddington Bear is one of London’s most famous mascots. This fictional character has been around since 1958 when Michael Bond’s series of books plucked him from the depths of the Peruvian jungle. And placed him into the home of the Browns. Those travelling in and out of Paddington station will be able to purchase a small bear as a memorabilia at this iconic London film location. Make sure you don't feed it marmalade sandwiches unless you like your stuffed bears fossilised, though. Les Miserables (2013) As the film reaches its revolutionary peak, the cast of Les Miserables takes to the barricades. This, shockingly, wasn't set in Paris but in Greenwich nearby the Old Naval College. According to The Telegraph, the set designers spent a month scouring the city for period furniture before knitting it altogether to form the impressive wall at which Enjolras and the revolutionaries make their impressive last stand. The buildings surrounding the college also played a part in the film. It's all down to Greenwich's quaint charm, so pat yourself on the back Greenwich. While it's not entirely relevant to Les Miserables, a stroll through the park and a visit to the Royal Observatory is always a great shout, with its breathtaking view over the Thames river. Hugh Jackman would absolutely approve. Elsewhere in this lovely corner of London, where the narrow and windy streets seem to resemble and English fishing village, you'll find the 19th century ship Cutty Sark and the fantastic National Maritime Museum that overlooks the Thames. Wimbledon Fun fact, the film Wimbledon was actually shot at The Queen's Club, out in South Kensington. This grand club actually hosts an impressive tennis tournament of their own called The Queen's Club Championships. Despite its pretty unambitious name is one of the big qualifiers leading up to Wimbledon. However if you're looking to really get into the technical nitty gritty behind the Kirsten Dunst romcom, it's worth jumping over to Wimbledon itself where you can tour the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum. Want to get a truly behind-the-scenes look at some of the top London film locations? Join a Brit Movie Tour, included with your London Pass. Pick up a London Pass® and set foot exploring your favourite movie locations in our awesome city. You'll make great savings vs. paying at the gate on the best London attractions around!

Suz Pathmanathan

Get your free guidebook!

Plan your perfect trip with our insider guide – top attractions, itineraries and local tips straight to your inbox.