Last updated on March 5th, 2024 at 07:32 pm
On the theme of how to enjoy London for free, or on a limited budget, let’s think about walking. Shanks’ pony is often the best way to see any city and London is particularly rewarding in this regard. Not only can you take in some of the famous sites for nothing, but you’ll also often come across some wonderful little curiosities along the way. And, in central London, you’ll find that many of the biggest attractions are surprisingly close to one another. Look at a map.
While you’re out walking, you could stroll through some of London’s amazing green spaces, visit one of London’s famous markets, witness a bit of Britain’s ceremonial pomp, dip in and out of one of London’s iconic shops (you don’t have to buy anything!), spend a bob or two having a pint in one of London’s historic pubs, take in some fabulous views, soak up some history in London’s churches…
Here are a couple of short strolls left and right from Westminster tube station, Don’t forget your camera and a bottle of water.
Wander up Whitehall from Westminster
Start at Westminster tube station (District, Circle and Jubilee lines – green, yellow and grey, respectively) on Bridge Street. Assuming it has no scaffolding on it, snap away at the Elizabeth Tower opposite. This is the one that’s popularly, but incorrectly, known as ‘Big Ben’ – Big Ben is the name of the bell and the tower was originally called ‘Clock Tower’.
Before you leave the area, you could cross Parliament Square to check out the statues. The most famous include statues of political leaders Winston Churchill, Lloyd George, Robert Peel, Mahatma Gandhi and Millicent Fawcett, suffragette and campaigner for women’s rights. There is often a demonstration of one sort or another taking place here. Pass by Westminster Abbey on your right and step onto College Green. TV journalists often film here when reporting from Parliament. Take a video of yourself: “This is Tarquin Blackhead, BBC, Westminster.” While you’re there, spot the medieval tower nearby; this is the Jewel Tower, the only surviving part of the medieval royal apartments of the Palace of Westminster. There is a small entry fee to go inside, but it’s well worth it.
Oh, alright, while we’re about it…here’s some things you might want to pay to enter..
The Houses of Parliament is the home of the UK Parliament and consists of two ‘houses’, or chambers, the Commons and Lords. It is possible to take a tour at certain times, even take tea, or watch a debate. UK residents can visit for free by booking with their Member of Parliament. The building is situated on the site of Edward the Confessor’s 11th century palace and is still known as ‘the Palace of Westminster’. It has been the traditional home of the English parliament since medieval times and much of the UK’s parliamentary democracy developed here. However, the majority of the current building dates from the 19th century and was designed by Charles Barry, following a disastrous fire in 1834 that destroyed virtually all of the old palace. The oldest building on the site is the magnificent Westminster Hall, which has witnessed 900 years of British history. Visit the Houses of Parliament.
Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey has been at the centre of English, and British, state occasions – coronations, weddings, funerals, services of commemoration – since William the Conqueror was crowned there on Christmas Day 1066. It was founded by King Edward the Confessor as his ‘west minster’ in the 11th century, close to a small Benedictine monastery founded the century before. The present building is largely 13th-14th century, with the addition of 18th century towers. The interior is simply breathtaking and contains the tombs of many of England’s great monarchs, including Edward I and Elizabeth I, as well as memorials honouring countless heroes, poets and other luminaries – and the tomb of the Unknown Warrior. Altogether, something like 3,000 well-known people are buried in the Abbey, including 30 kings and queens. Westminster Abbey is definitely worth a visit, although visitor entry is relatively expensive and it can get incredibly crowded. The policy of ‘no photography’ inside, once rigorously enforced, has now been relaxed – with some reasonable restrictions remaining in place. However, you can download photos for personal use from the Abbey’s website.
Visit Westminster Abbey.
To the west of Parliament Street, on Horse Guards, you’ll find the Churchill War Rooms, aka the secret Cabinet War Rooms. Again, entry is relatively expensive – but it is an absorbing place to visit. It is a complex of operational rooms in a former basement created to enable government to continue during the Second World War, theoretically safe from German bombs. In fact, it was not particularly bomb-proof. The complex includes a Cabinet Meeting Room, map room, kitchens and bedrooms – including ones for Mr and Mrs Churchill. Some of the rooms remain more or less as they were left in 1945; others have been refurbished in period style. It certainly evokes feelings of when Britain was under attack and in danger of being invaded. There is also a fascinating Churchill Museum, telling the story of one of Britain’s most remarkable leaders, from childhood in the 1870s to his death in 1965. Visit the Cabinet War Rooms.
Back to the free foot tour…
Head north up Parliament Street (or right, and right again from Bridge Street). Parliament Street becomes Whitehall, passing the Treasury, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Downing Street (alas, closed off since 1989 to safeguard against terrorist attack) and the Cabinet Office. Whitehall is named for the Palace of Whitehall, which used to be situated either side of the current road and was originally York Place, the London residence of the Archbishop of York. It was acquired by Henry VIII, and by the reign of James I covered more than 20 acres. His son, King Charles I was beheaded just outside Banqueting House, on your right, in 1649.
Banqueting House is the only visible part of Whitehall Palace to have survived, and is open to the public (fee payable). It has a wonderful Baroque ceiling, with paintings by Rubens. Next to it, across Horse Guards Avenue, is the Old War Office. Opened in 1906, the Old War Office boasted more than 1,000 rooms connected by two-and -a-half miles of corridors, where the great, the good and perhaps not so good of the 20th century, used to roam. Now, it is a luxury hotel and goodness knows what else. Opposite, to your left, it is possible to head through a passage onto Horse Guards Parade, the site of the Palace of Whitehall’s tiltyard, and thence into St James’s Park (a personal favourite) – at the other end of which is Buckingham Palace. Incidentally, the Household Cavalry Museum is in Horse Guards.
Back to Whitehall, keep going, crossing Great Scotland Yard on your right. The back door to the HQ of the Metropolitan Police used be nearby – hence ‘Scotland Yard’ came to be adopted as a nickname for the Met and their home. Legend has it that the origins of the name date from the time when Scotland and England were separate states and the Scottish Embassy was located hereabouts. At the far end of Whitehall, beyond the Cenotaph, is Trafalgar Square. The Cenotaph is surrounded by poppy wreaths every 11 November, following the annual National Service of Remembrance. Trafalgar Square is worth exploring in its own right and so handy for the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery (both of which are free to visit). You could also cross under Admiralty Arch onto the Mall – Buckingham Palace is straight ahead and St James’s Park, first created as a Royal Park by James I, is on your left. Beyond Trafalgar Square to the west is Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus; Covent Garden is a stone’s throw to the east.
Saunter to the Savoy along Embankment
Instead of turning right out of Westminster tube station, turn left toward the River Thames. Ahead of you is Westminster Bridge – cross that for great views of the river and the Houses of Parliament. Before the bridge, a left turn will take you onto Victoria Embankment – part of a massive Victorian redevelopment project which involved the construction of a proper sewage system and part of the District line underground. Before then, the Thames was wider, and shallower. There’s a memorial to the farsighted hero Sir Joseph Bazalgette, who was responsible for this development, on the Embankment opposite Northumberland Avenue.
There are impressive memorials all along Victoria Embankment, including a statue of Boudicca, Queen of Iceni who sacked Roman London in about 60 AD, the Battle of Britain Monument, RAF Memorial and Cleopatra’s Needle. The latter dates from 1450 BC and was presented to the United Kingdom in 1819 by the ruler of Egypt to commemorate British victories against the French at the Battles of the Nile (1798) and Alexandria (1801); it had an eventful journey to London. On your left, you’ll pass New Scotland Yard, the latest HQ of the Metropolitan Police, and then a grassed area outside the Ministry of Defence where there are several interesting statues and memorials.
Just past Embankment Station, you’ll find an attractive public garden on your left. This is Victoria Embankment Gardens, which is colourful and stuffed full of interesting statues and memorials. Just inside the garden, you’ll see York Watergate. This marks the position of the north bank of the River Thames before the construction of the Victoria Embankment in 1862. It was built in 1626 by Nicholas Stone, master mason, for George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, to serve as the watergate to York House which the Duke had acquired from the Archbishop of York in 1624. The arms on the river front and the motto Fidei cotucula crux (the cross is the touchstone of faith) on the land side, are those of the Villiers family. York House was demolished in 1675 and streets were laid out on the site. In 1893 the gate having fallen into decay, the London County Council obtained parliamentary powers to acquire and preserve it as an object of public interest.
Behind the gardens, you’ll find Savoy Place – along with Savoy Hill, Savoy Street – and so on – all named, along with the famous hotel (whose entrance is on the Strand) and the theatre, for the medieval palace that once stood nearby. The palace was built by Peter of Savoy in the 13th century and became one of the grandest homes in the land. It was destroyed during the Peasants’ Revolt of 1382 and, eventually, a hospital was built on the site by Henry VII. The one remaining part of the hospital is the Royal Chapel of the Savoy on Savoy Hill; it is owned by the monarch and makes an intriguing visit; indeed, it is one of London’s little gems. Wander up onto the Strand and find your way onto Waterloo Bridge. Personally, I think the views from there are among the best in London, particularly at night.
If you’re feeling energetic, you could simply join the above two walks along the Strand. Of course, you could pay to attend a guided walk – but that defeats the purpose and, anyway, I think it’s more fun to self-explore.
For more detailed free walk ideas, take a look at the excellent London Wlogger site.
If you need help with public transport, visit the Transport for London website.
I’m probably confused, but I thought David Lloyd George was PM around the time of WWI. What happened to the Labour Party?
No, you’re right; thanks for asking. Lloyd George was PM of coalition governments from 1916-22. The first Labour PM was Ramsay MacDonald in 1924. You may find the timelines helpful on the website – or in the book, ‘A Bit About Britain’s History’ (which of course I highly recommend!) 🙂
Thank you!
I’m rather late to comment as I’ve only just discovered your blog. I came to London as a student, then lived and worked there for over twenty years. I think I was always rushing everywhere and not truly appreciating what was around me. Now that I have more time, I’m rediscovering London, often on foot, so I loved this post! I recently did a fab walk along the South Bank, starting at Rotherhithe, taking in the Mayflower Pub and so much more. I’m guessing you may know it. Happy Blogging! .
Never too late to drop in! Yes, I’m enjoy visiting London for this project; I never had time to stop for long when looking after clients there!
lovely walking route 🙂
This was a fun post, since I’ve seen a few of those places and the pics brought back some very fond memories! I do love that Women of WWII monument. So cool.
Thanks – yes, I like that memorial too; long overdue!
This is a great post. I love Westminster and Big Ben. We are going to do a London tour next year to show everything to our sons.
Excellent; hope they enjoy it! Where will you take them?
Another great post, Mike. I’m sending this link to our son and DIL who arrive to London the end of this week.
Thanks, Ellen; hope they find it useful and have a great time there.
Almost all of central London is here. No wonder so many tourists flock to see the UK. No doubt more will come through reading this post, Mike. But they will need a strong pair of legs.
So many little nuggets of interest tucked away, Richard…both of those walks are quite short, though.
First building lit throughout…now that’s cool 🙂
Yes – I had no idea until I saw the plaque!
I used to love walking but not so much now as I can’s walk morre then a few steps nowdays I am pushed around in a wheelchair
Really sorry to hear that, Joanne. The stuff you see online will be a poor substitute for being there yourself, but it’s a great source of interesting information. Thanks for dropping into A Bit About Britain so often!
I love walking in London. And there’s always something I’ve missed the time before. And of course there are many places worthy of several visits.
Very true. I see more when I go now than I ever did when I was working there so often – never had time to linger!!
You know so much, Mike! Interesting bit about the Savoy Theatre being first to be electrified throughout. I’m disappointed about Big Ben, though. There’s so much ignorance in the world. 😉
Thanks, Lisa! I just read a lot 🙂
Terrific shots, and good recommendations!
Thanks, William!
I didn’t realise that the gate in the gardens was a water gate, nor that the Thames was so much wider than it is now. Both embankments must have changed things considerably.
Yes, it’s fascinating. I need to research it more. It must have been considerably wider at one time – ‘Strand’ means ‘beach’ in modern German.
That was a very enjoyable tour, thank you.
Thanks for coming along, Sue!
So much to visit and see and so much history!
We try our best… 🙂
I agree with ‘marmeladegypsy’; a great way to see many of the large churches and cathedrals in Britain for free (except for the collection!) is to go to a service.
A most enjoyable couple of walks from Westminster Station, Mike, thank you. Your photos and captions are fantastic, too!
Thanks, Clare!
Thank you for a reminder of my old stamping ground…brought back all sorts of memories.
Delighted to be of service, dear lady!
Excellent post, Mike! I took in most of these sites during my last visit to London. It was great fun to re-live that trip via your blog post!
That’s great, Louis!
This is great, Mike. I needed this a year ago! And I’ll need it again.
One tip for freebie (sort of) with Westminster Abbey or St. Paul’s too — skip the expensive tour unless you really want to see Poet’s Corner and some of the non-sanctuary parts of the abbey and spend and hour at Evensong (5 p.m., but check). It’s free, though they pass the plate for an offering but even a generous offering is a lot less expensive than the admission charge and you get to hear beautiful music too. Or, for those who’d rather do it on a Sunday, catch a church service there.
Great tip, Jeanie!
There are sooooo many wondrous things to see in London. Maybe some day…
Hope you do, Susan!
Wonderful photos and information! I wonder why there is an American flag in front of the Theater/Theatre?
Thanks, John! The shot with the flags is the front of the Savoy hotel. I’m guessing they fly your flag to demonstrate their international credentials – hotels in the US probbably do that too? I can’t remember… Or maybe we Brits just like to make you lot feel a little at home! 🙂
Great info. A northern friend said to me after a little coach trip – ‘You need more than a few days to see London’ . I replied ‘You need more than a lifetime!’ I love the Southbank and the Royal Festival Hall is a good rest stop – you can lounge around as long as you like and maybe catch a free concert or see an exhibition.
Yes, there’s lots you can do on a tight budget – and you certainly need more than a few days to ‘see’ London. I lived and worked in and around there for years and know I’ll never get to see all the interesting places there.
I’ve walked many a mile and am happy to say, haven’t missed a single one of your recommended sites! I did enjoy a vicarious ramble through once again via your photos.
Deep respect, Cynthia!