The London Borough of Westminster is one of the most iconic areas in London, so if you’re wanting to make the most of your time in this area, you’re in the right place! We’re here to introduce the main things you should be doing when in the area, to get a real feel for British culture and to see the best of what the beautiful city has to offer. You can definitely spend at least a few days in the area, so if you stay relatively central you will have a great base to explore the area throughout your stay.
With activities ranging from seeing iconic landmarks to classic pub lunches, to delicious sweet treats, stunning shopping areas and world famous museums, we have something for everyone here. Look no further when it comes to planning your next trip to London!
Buckingham Palace
Your trip to Westminster wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the iconic Buckingham Palace! Buckingham Palace is situated between the publicly accessible Green Park and St James Park, so you can enjoy the beautiful greenery and then go to see the fantastic palace. Following the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II, it is unknown whether King Charles III will follow tradition and now move into Buckingham Palace, or whether it will be a venue for Royal occasions.
Nevertheless, this is a fantastic building to go and visit, where you will be able to see the iconic guards. Buckingham Palace also opens from July to October for the public where you can see the State Rooms, The Grand Staircase, Fine Art and The Throne Room, although of course this is not currently the case. In and around Buckingham Palace is the perfect place to pick up your London souvenirs, as you certainly won’t be spoilt for choice!
Pub Lunch in Mayfair
Now that you’ve explored Buckingham Palace, head towards Mayfair to explore the beautiful Mayfair, one of London’s most wealthy areas. The houses are simply stunning and the area is full of beautiful bars, restaurants, pubs and shops, so set aside at least a few hours to spend here!
You’ve got to experience a proper pub lunch when you are in London, and Mayfair is home to some of its best. The Running Horse is right up there, as it has fantastic beers, a huge selection of gin, light bites and classic British pub meals, so no matter if you’re stopping for a beer and afternoon bite or a long pub lunch, this is the place to be. Everything is seasonal as well, so you’ll be able to taste the best food Britain has to offer.
Head To Peggy Porschen in Belgravia
If you’re looking for something sweet for after your pub lunch, head over to Peggy Porschen in Belgravia for some of the most beautiful bakes you will ever see. The cakes are literally like art and this is one of the most instagrammable spots in London. They also do wonderful brunch and drinks, including pretty pink Beetroot Latte’s, luxury tea blends and the best cocktails. Everything is also very reasonably priced considering it’s in Chelsea, so this is a great place to stop off.
Now, onto the cake flavours! From chocolate heaven to banoffee, lighter lemon and vanilla clouds, you can try the classics as well as those unique to Peggy Porschen. This is the perfect spot for afternoon refreshments that can’t be missed when you’re in the area! Or, if you’ve parked in a Marble Arch car park towards Hyde Park direction, this is a great place to finish your day off.
Covent Garden
Last but certainly not least, you’ve got to head to Covent Garden. This is an area of London with world-class shopping to keep up with all the fashion trends (both designer and highstreet), stunning restaurants and some of the best street performers you will see. There is an indoor arcade area with a lowered centre where you will often see classical musicians playing and can enjoy a coffee whilst you listen to the music, before heading into the trinket shops.
From here, you can head outside to enjoy fantastic street performers, before heading to one of the many restaurants for more delicious foods. There is also Apple Market, which was previously a fruit and veg market, but now is home to local businesses who sell their handmade crafts and goods from Tuesdays to Sundays. Whether you want some homemade jam or a new pair of earrings, you’ll find it here.
Another highlight of Covent Garden if you want a good photo opportunity is to head to Neal’s Yard, where you’ll find a collection of beautiful and colourful buildings, surrounded by great cafes, small shops and intricately designed walls that are ideal if you want to take a few photos to remember your time in Covent Garden. They also sell all natural and organic skincare that is completely vegan, so definitely pick a few bits up whilst you’re there!
Go To The Museums
Whilst you are in The London Borough of Westminster, you’ve got to take advantage of the fantastic museums in the area. The majority of museums in London are free and just ask for a donation if you would like. You can head to the Churchill War Rooms, The Queen’s Gallery, The Household Cavalry Museum, The Guards Museum, CAMA Gallery and so much more. We would put Tate Britain up there with one of the must-visit museums in London, as it features British art from the 16th century onwards, with some exceptionally famous pieces being housed there, including Ophelia by Sir John Everett Millais, a depiction of Shakespeare’s heroine. The museum is also known for its stunning exhibitions, including stunning light displays and interactive exhibitions.
You can learn more about London and leave with some knowledge about its history than you had before! They are all within walking distance of each other and are definitely worth visiting. Just make sure to see if any have special exhibitions before your trip, as you may need to book tickets and you wouldn’t want to miss out when you arrive!
Final Thoughts
Westminster is one of the most iconic areas of London and contributes to what makes it so unique. You could spend a good couple of days here, so plan out what you want to do each day so you make sure that you can fit everything in, whether you want to do some sight seeing as a music lover. When you’re visiting Westminster, you’re also right by Hyde Park and Chelsea if you want to venture a bit further to experience more of this fantastic city. This is such a great part of the city and definitely worth visiting all year round, so make sure to give yourself a couple of days here and you really won’t regret it!