The Power and the Glory: A Guide to Westminster’s Rich History
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About the Tour
About the Tour
At the heart of England’s capital city sits the area of Westminster, the seat of the country’s parliament and political power. On this London walking tour, you’ll see iconic sites like the Parliament building and Westminster Abbey as well as the area’s lesser-known historical treasures.
Starting on the Victoria Embankment, you’ll hear about this marvel of Victorian engineering built on reclaimed land in the mid-1800s before making your way through the main streets synonymous with the country’s corridors of power. While you walk, you’ll hear about the area’s earliest history and its connection to royalty.
As you make your way around the back streets, you’ll hear tales of the people who once called the area home and visit locations that most tourists miss like the Churchill War Rooms museum and Banqueting House, the only part remaining of Whitehall Palace. You’ll then skirt around the magnificent St James’ Park to finish the tour at another famous landmark, the Horse Guards Parade but not before taking in London’s famous Big Ben which was originally called the Clock Tower.
On this 90-minute tour, you’ll have a chance to:
- See the Sir Joseph Bazalgette Memorial which honours the visionary Victorian engineer who created the Thames Embankment
- Gaze at the magnificent apartment terraces built by a corrupt politician who masterminded one of the country’s largest financial frauds
- Spot parts of Henry VIII’s royal palace that still stand today
- Take in the exact spot where the only English King to be executed lost his head
- Find out how the area of Westminster evolved, from its earliest days as a river crossing into a site of monastic worship
- Discover how the Parliament building rose from the ashes of a devastating fire
- Learn about Westminster School, another of the area’s institutions with many famous (and not so good) former pupils
- Hear about the labyrinth of underground passages that were home to the country’s government during the Second World War
So join me on this tour around an area that will take us from the earliest Roman occupation through nearly two thousand years of history.
Tour Producer
Tour Producer
Steve Matthews
I’ve been guiding in London since 2010, and in that time I’ve led thousands of people through the backstreets, river paths, and half‑forgotten corners that rarely make it into the guidebooks. My work is rooted in years of on‑the‑ground experience, a lot of digging through old maps and archives, and a genuine fascination with how London’s past still shapes the city we walk through today.
What began as a hobby has grown into a long‑standing practice of researching local history — from lost streets and vanished industries to the characters who left their mark on the place. I keep my tours updated with new findings, fresh angles, and the odd surprising detail that brings a street or story to life.
I specialise in the parts of London people often overlook, helping visitors and locals alike see the echoes and footprints hidden in plain sight. My aim is simple: to share the stories I’ve gathered over the years with accuracy, enthusiasm, and a real affection for this endlessly surprising city. Whether you’re joining me for the first time or returning for another walk, you can expect a well‑researched, engaging, and reliable tour shaped by more than a decade of experience.
Preview Location
Preview Location
Location 16
Parliament Square
Parliament Square was laid out in 1868 to the designs of Charles Barry in order to open up the space around the Palace of Westminster and improve traffic flow, a problem that still exists today. It has statues of seven British Prime Ministers, Churchi... Read More
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How VoiceMap Works
Major Landmarks
Major Landmarks
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Westminster Abbey
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Sir Joseph Bazalgette Memorial
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Whitehall Gardens
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Queen Mary’s steps
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Ministry of Defence
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Banqueting House
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Dover House
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Downing Street
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The Cenotaph
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K2 Telephone Box
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Westminster Hall
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Big Ben
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Parliament Square Garden
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St Margaret's Church
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Dean's Yard
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Crimea and Indian Mutiny memorial
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Stone Gateway for House of Correction
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Birdcage Walk
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Churchill War Rooms
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Duck Island
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Horse Guards Parade
Getting There
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start locationLondon WC2N 6NS, UK
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Total distance4km
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Final location66 Horse Guards Ave, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX, UK
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Distance back to start location484.61m
Directions to Starting Point
The tour begins at Embankment underground station outside of the exit that faces the River Thames.
The station can be accessed from the District, Northern, Bakerloo and Circle lines. It is also a short walk from Charing Cross main line station.
If you wish to arrive by Uber Boat (Formerly Thames Clipper) Embankment Pier is just opposite the station entrance.
There are no bus stops in the vicinity of the station, the nearest is for the 91 route that stops in Northumberland Avenue. If you are arriving by bus it is best to make your way to Charing Cross main line station and then walk down Villiers Street and through Embankment underground station to emerge at the start point.
Show Directions
Tips
Tips
Places to stop along the way
There is a tour around the House of Commons which I would recommend if you have time. Details can be found on their web site, www.parliament.uk/visiting/
You'll need to book if you want to explore Westminster Abbey. www.westminster-abbey.org/
Churchill's War Rooms is open daily and is well worth visiting, but get a ticket in advance as some times the queues can get rather long. www.iwm.org.uk/visits/churchill-war-rooms
Westminster School run guided tours, but only in the school holidays, see their web site for details.
Want to eat like a London Cabbie? Then pick up a cuppa and a sarnie from the Cabman's shelter just at the start of the tour.
The areas around Whitehall and Parliament Square are without food outlets except for the Red Lion pub which comes up in the commentary. The Methodist Hall has a very nice public cafe. The area north of Parliament Square in Tothill Street has a number of good pubs coffee shops and food outlets.
Best time of day
Early mornings will be quieter before parliament Square gets too busy, but if you enjoy the hustle and bustle midday onwards is fine. It does get quieter during the late afternoon to early evening.
Precautions
Most of the area of the tour is more than well covered by police because of the proximity to Parliament, their presence will lesson during the evening, but the area is considered safe. Please take the normal precautions regarding your bags, wallets and mobile phones.
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