City of Westminster, London guide

You may know the Elizabeth Tower as Big Ben (which is actually the bell inside it). Climb its 334 steps on a tour of the Houses of Parliament. Westminster Abbey is a place where kings and queens have been married and buried for centuries. The big architectural hits continue along Whitehall, which is lined with grand state departments all the way to Downing Street.

Even from the street, the West End theatres put on a show. Colourful marquees compete for attention along Shaftesbury Avenue and in its surrounding streets. Inside, expect jewellery-box interiors and star-studded casts. Long-running musicals sit side by side with edgy new productions. And there’s plenty of world-class ballet and opera at the Coliseum and Royal Opera House.

Head north to walk the waterways of Little Venice. The meeting of the Grand Union and Regent’s canals offers a surprising oasis in this busy neighbourhood. The picturesque narrowboats contain a few surprises of their own, from puppet theatre to a comedy cafe. You can even take a ride in one — or simply watch from the canalside cafes, restaurants and pubs.

Westminster boasts four of London’s eight Royal Parks, and you can walk from Kensington Palace to Horse Guards Parade without ever leaving them. Hyde Park is the largest — attractions here include boating on the Serpentine, historic Speakers Corner and the King’s primary residence, Buckingham Palace. Further north, Regent’s Park is home to the 200-year-old London Zoo, as well as an open-air theatre.

See some of the world’s greatest art for free in Westminster, including Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’ at The National Gallery or Millais’ ‘Ophelia’ at Tate Britain. The newly renovated National Portrait Gallery on Trafalgar Square displays famous faces from Shakespeare to Churchill. Nearby, the Wallace Collection, housed in an 18th-century mansion, displays ceramics, furniture and even armour alongside its prized artwork.

Dining well is part of the West End experience. Some of London’s most legendary restaurants live here, from The Ivy to L’Escargot. Whether it’s Mayfair’s Michelin-star scene or market pop-ups in Covent Garden, this area is full of chefs trying to make a name for themselves. Vibrant Chinatown is a perfect pit stop for dim sum or Peking duck.

With its bright lights and late licences, the West End is where Londoners head to party. From Leicester Square to Piccadilly Circus, the bars, clubs and pavements are equally busy every night of the week. Soho’s long-lived pubs combine Victorian interiors with a range of beers on draft. And Old Compton Street has been a popular hangout for the LGBTQ+ community since the 1970s.

Intersecting Oxford Street and Regent Street are home to contrasting department stores — stately Selfridges and arts-and-craftsy Liberty. Couture lives on Bond Street, Soho’s boutiques rock a more vintage vibe, and Covent Garden’s market still attracts locals as well as tourists. For an upmarket experience, try Marylebone High Street or join the Piccadilly crowd buying tea and pickles at Fortnum and Mason.

Britain’s most beloved pageantry happens here, from the Trooping of the Colour in June to the State Opening of Parliament each November. New Year’s fireworks draw huge crowds to the Victoria Embankment, while Hyde Park hosts thousands at its summer music festivals and Winter Wonderland. Sports fans can enjoy the London Marathon in April or cricket at Lord’s in summer.