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Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament

Central London

Covent Garden, London Eye, Big Ben, Leicester Square

The longest single route in the series and one of London's great sightseeing runs — from Covent Garden, the South Bank, the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square, finishing at Piccadilly Circus Station.

ROUTE ESSENTIALS

Everything you need to set off

START

Covent Garden Station

FINISH

Piccadilly Circus Station

DISTANCE

5.7 km

DIFFICULTY

Medium

BEST TIME

Early Morning

FROM THE ROUTE

London, seen at street level.

Made for visitors who want the icons without losing half a day to planning. Pavements throughout, simple crossings and an Underground station at each end.

MAKE A DAY OF IT

Worth stopping for

Activities

The LEGO and M&M stores in Leicester Square

Leicester Square hosts large experiential flagship stores for LEGO and M&M’s, featuring giant displays, interactive elements, and themed merchandise. They’re fun for visitors of all ages, combining shopping with immersive branding experiences.

Activities

The National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery, located adjacent to Trafalgar Square, houses a vast collection of portraits of historically significant and famous British individuals — writers, monarchs, statesmen, scientists, and artists — spanning centuries. Its exhibitions combine art and biography.

Activities

The National Gallery

Located on Trafalgar Square, The National Gallery contains one of the world's foremost collections of European painting, spanning from medieval to 19th-century works by da Vinci, Van Gogh, Turner, and many more. Admission to the permanent galleries is free.

Activities

Changing The King's Life Guard - Horse Guards Parade

The King’s Life Guard is conducted by soldiers of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment at Horse Guards. Horse Guards is named after the troops who have mounted The King’s Life Guard here since the Restoration of King Charles II in 1660

Activities

The London Dungeons

The London Dungeons is a theatrical, immersive attraction located near the South Bank that dramatises London’s darker history — plague, torture, crime — through actors, rides, and special effects for a spooky and entertaining journey into the past.

Activities

Covent Garden Theatres

Covent Garden is close to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, The Duchess, The Novello, The Lyceum, and The Aldwych theatres. Other performing venues include the Royal Opera House, the Cambridge Theatre in Seven Dials, and the Gillian Lynne and Peacock Theatres on its western fringes.  

Activities

The Transport Museum

The London Transport Museum, located in Covent Garden, presents the story of London’s public transport evolution — including buses, tubes, and trams — through vintage vehicles, interactive exhibits, and design displays. It’s engaging for all ages.

Historical Site

Whitehall

Whitehall is a road in central London known as the seat of the UK government. Lined with ministries, departments, and monuments, it runs north from Parliament Square and forms a spine of Britain’s political and administrative heart.

Historical Site

Parliament Square

Parliament Square sits immediately in front of the Palace of Westminster and hosts a circle of statues of notable statesmen. It is a focal gathering point and public space where demonstrators and tourists converge at the heart of London’s political core.

Historical Site

Golden Jubilee Bridge

The Golden Jubilee Bridges are a pair of pedestrian walkways flanking the Hungerford Railway Bridge over the Thames. They link the South Bank with Embankment and offer striking views of the river, landmarks, and city skyline.

Historical Site

Leicester Square

Leicester Square is a public square in the West End, known for cinemas, theatres, restaurants, and as a hub for entertainment. It hosts film premieres, major events, and is a magnet for tourists seeking London’s cultural life.

Historical Site

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is a landmark public space commemorating Admiral Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. Dominated by Nelson’s Column and flanked by the National Gallery, it is a central gathering place and site of national events.

Historical Site

Horse Guards Parade

Horse Guards Parade is a ceremonial parade ground between St James’s Park and Whitehall. It hosts the Changing the Guard ceremony and Trooping the Colour and serves as a symbolic ceremonial space in London.

Historical Site, Activities

The Houses of Parliament

The Houses of Parliament (Palace of Westminster) are the seat of the UK Parliament, housing the Commons and Lords' chambers. With its iconic clock tower (Big Ben), Gothic architecture, and riverside position, it is a globally recognised symbol of British democracy.

Historical Site

Westminster Bridge

Westminster Bridge crosses the River Thames, linking Westminster on the north side to Lambeth on the south. From its span, you get dramatic views of the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, and the river landmarks on either side.

Historical Site

Old County Hall

Old County Hall sits on the South Bank by the Thames, adjacent to the London Eye and opposite the Houses of Parliament. It was once the headquarters of the London County Council, and now houses museums, exhibitions, and attractions.

Historical Site, Activities

The London Eye

The London Eye is a giant observation wheel on the South Bank of the Thames, offering sweeping panoramic views of London’s skyline. Since its opening in 2000, it has become a modern icon and a hugely popular tourist attraction.

Historical Site, Activities

Royal Festival Hall

The Royal Festival Hall is a major performing arts venue on the South Bank, created as part of the Festival of Britain (1951). It hosts concerts, recitals, and cultural events, and is part of the Southbank Centre complex.

Historical Site, Activities

The National Theatre

The National Theatre (on the South Bank) is one of the UK’s leading publicly funded theatres. It produces a wide range of dramatic works, from classic plays to contemporary new writing, and has multiple performance spaces within its building.

Historical Site

Waterloo Bridge

Waterloo Bridge crosses the Thames between the South Bank and the Strand area. It offers elegant views east and west and is often praised as one of London’s most scenic bridges, especially at sunset.

Historical Site, Activities

Covent Garden

Covent Garden is a popular district known for its historic market, street performers, boutique shops, theatres, and the Royal Opera House. It combines traditional charm with bustling modern entertainment, food and drink and retail life.

Historical Site, Landmark, Activities

Royal Opera House

Home of The Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera

Historical Site, Activities

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is a historic Gothic church in the Westminster district, deeply tied to British coronations, royal weddings, and burials. Its architectural grandeur, famous tombs and chapels, and national significance have enabled it to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

at 3.2 km

London Eye

See the route from above with a 30-minute rotation over the Thames.

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London · 1.7 km · Central London Sightseeing

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London · 1.7 km · Central London Sightseeing

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London · 1.7 km · Central London Sightseeing

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