Best Attractions Near Big Ben
Planning a trip to Big Ben? Discover the best attractions nearby with history, expert tips, and routes. Free on web or the Evendo app.
The best attractions near Big Ben
- Top rated
- Closest to Big Ben
- Price level: low to high
- Time to spend: shortest first
- A–Z
49 attractions
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Ferris wheel4.5★177,119 reviews
lastminute.com London Eye
The London Eye, standing 135 metres tall on the South Bank of the River Thames, offers breathtaking 360-degree views of London’s iconic skyline. This giant cantilevered observation wheel, built to celebrate the millennium, provides a slow 30-minute rotation in glass pods, perfect for spotting landmarks like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and St Paul’s Cathedral. Open daily except Christmas Day and January maintenance, it features special festive experiences and fast-track entry options.
Daily 10:00–20:30Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
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Tourist attraction4.6★97,853 reviews
Big Ben
The Elizabeth Tower, universally known as Big Ben, stands at the north end of the Palace of Westminster beside the Thames. Its four illuminated clock faces and the hourly strike of the 13.7-tonne Great Bell create one of London’s most recognisable silhouettes. Visitors experience the landmark freely from Westminster Bridge, Parliament Square and the South Bank, where the Westminster chimes and the tower’s Gothic Revival stonework remain visible day and night.
Price level $$Time to spend 0.2–2 hrs
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Park and Garden4.7★57,749 reviews
St James's Park
St James's Park is London’s oldest Royal Park, a calm stretch of lawns, paths, and water set between Buckingham Palace and Westminster. It is less about grand attractions than about the experience of walking through a formal city landscape softened by trees, birds, and long views. Most visitors come for a short, scenic pause between nearby sights, then linger by the lake or on a bench.
Daily 5:00–24:00Time to spend 0.5–4 hrs
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Anglican church4.6★40,916 reviews
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is London’s most layered sacred landmark: a working Anglican church, coronation site, royal burial place and dense archive of national memory. Inside, the pace is slow and stop-start as you move from the nave to chapels, cloisters and memorials, reading names that span centuries. It feels formal, enclosed and deeply historic, with little of the bustle outside.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–4 hrs
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Aquarium4.3★28,471 reviews
SEA LIFE London Aquarium
SEA LIFE London Aquarium is a compact, fully indoor marine attraction in County Hall beside the London Eye. Visitors follow a self-guided route through multi-level tanks, themed zones, and close-up displays of fish, rays, sharks, and other aquatic species. It is an easy fit for families and a practical weather-proof stop on a South Bank day out.
Price level $$Time to spend 1.5–3 hrs
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Tourist attraction4.3★17,802 reviews
The London Dungeon
Located on the South Bank at the Riverside Building, County Hall, The London Dungeon offers a thrilling and interactive experience that brings over 1,000 years of London's darkest and most macabre history to life. Featuring live actors, immersive sets, and thrilling rides, it explores infamous events and characters such as Jack the Ripper, Sweeney Todd, and the Great Plague. Suitable for families and thrill seekers alike, it combines education and entertainment in a uniquely chilling atmosphere.
Mon–Fri 11:00–18:00 · Sat–Sun 10:00–18:00Price level $$Time to spend 1.5–2.5 hrs
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Tourist attraction4.6★12,906 reviews
Churchill War Rooms
The Churchill War Rooms, located beneath King Charles Street in London, offer a unique glimpse into the underground command centre where Winston Churchill and his government directed Britain’s World War II efforts. Preserved almost exactly as they were left in 1945, this historic site includes the Cabinet War Rooms and the Churchill Museum, showcasing wartime strategy, original rooms, and Churchill's life story. Open daily from 9:30 am to 6 pm, it is a must-visit for history enthusiasts and those intrigued by Britain’s wartime resilience.
Daily 9:30–18:00Price level $$Time to spend 2–3.5 hrs
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Tourist attraction4.1★6,374 reviews
Shrek's Adventure London
Inside County Hall on the South Bank, Shrek’s Adventure! London is a timed, indoor walk-through built around live actors, themed sets, and comic scenes from the Shrek films. It is less a museum than a staged journey, with queue-managed entry and a steady, guided pace. Families, school groups, and rainy-day visitors come for the playful tone and the central location beside Westminster Bridge and the London Eye.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs
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Government office4.6★4,392 reviews
Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament, is a striking Neo-Gothic landmark on the banks of the River Thames in London. Home to the UK Parliament, it features over 1,100 rooms, historic halls like Westminster Hall, and the iconic Elizabeth Tower housing Big Ben. Visitors can explore grand chambers, medieval architecture, and ceremonial spaces that have shaped British governance for centuries.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–2 hrs
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Tourist attraction4.7★3,621 reviews
The Graffiti Tunnel
Under Waterloo station, Leake Street Tunnel turns a former railway arch into a constantly changing wall of spray paint, paste-ups and stencils. It is London’s longest legal graffiti space, so the surface rarely stays the same for long. Visitors come for a quick photo stop, a slow walk through the tunnel, or a meal and drink in the adjoining arches.
Open 24 hoursPrice level $Time to spend 0.5–3 hrs
Victoria Tower Gardens South
Victoria Tower Gardens South is a small, flat riverside park in Westminster with direct views of the Palace of Westminster, the Thames, and nearby memorials. It is less a destination than a calm interlude: a place to sit on a bench, cross the lawns, or pause between Parliament Square and the river. The setting is formal, reflective, and surprisingly quiet for central London.
Daily 7:00–18:00Time to spend 0.3–2 hrs
Central Hall Westminster
Opposite Westminster Abbey, Central Hall Westminster is a vast Grade II* listed events venue built around a domed Great Hall with a distinctly formal, civic feel. Most visitors come for concerts, conferences, lectures, graduations, or broadcasts rather than casual sightseeing, so the experience is shaped by the event timetable. Inside, expect foyers, seated halls, and a strong sense of scale rather than a museum-style visit.
Mon–Fri 9:00–18:00Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–6 hrs
Whitehall Gardens
Whitehall Gardens is a compact formal garden on Victoria Embankment, set between Westminster’s government quarter and the Thames. It is less a destination than a polished pause: clipped planting, benches, seasonal flowers, and open river air in a tightly urban setting. Visitors come for a short walk, a sit-down, or a photo stop while moving between nearby landmarks.
Time to spend 0.2–2 hrs
London Eye Ticket Office
This is the check-in and ticketing point for the London Eye, set inside County Hall on the South Bank beside the Thames. It is a busy, tightly managed visitor hub rather than a standalone sight, with queues, timed entry, luggage storage, and quick access to one of London’s most recognisable viewpoints. Expect efficient movement, heavy foot traffic, and constant sightseeing energy.
Daily 11:00–18:00Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–3 hrs
Westminster Millennium Pier
Nestled on the north bank of the River Thames beside Westminster Bridge, Westminster Millennium Pier offers visitors a vibrant hub for river cruises and sightseeing in the heart of London. Adjacent to landmarks like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, this pier serves as a key embarkation point for leisure cruises, commuter boats, and private charters, blending historical significance with modern transport and stunning river views.
Open 24 hoursPrice level $Time to spend 0.5–3 hrs
Jubilee Gardens
Jubilee Gardens is a small public park on London’s South Bank, set between the London Eye and Southbank Centre. It is less a destination than a practical green pause in a busy riverfront corridor: lawns, paths, seating, and a playground, with constant movement all around. Expect short stays, landmark views, and heavy foot traffic rather than quiet seclusion.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.2–3 hrs
Archbishop's Park
Archbishop's Park is a medium-sized public park in central London, set off Carlisle Lane near Waterloo and Lambeth Palace. It feels local rather than showy: lawns, paths, trees, play areas, and sports space used by nearby residents, families, and office workers on a break. Its appeal lies in its calm, its heritage link to Lambeth Palace, and its usefulness as a pause from SE1's dense streets.
Daily 7:00–16:30Time to spend 0.5–3 hrs
Banqueting House
Banqueting House is the last complete survivor of the old Palace of Whitehall, a compact but imposing royal landmark in central London. Visitors come for the vast Banqueting Hall, where Rubens’s ceiling still hangs in place above a formal, echoing interior. The visit is brief, art-led, and steeped in Stuart history, from court spectacle to Charles I’s execution outside.
Price level $Time to spend 0.8–2 hrs
Garden Museum
Britain’s only museum devoted to gardens sits in a former church beside Lambeth Palace, combining exhibitions, planted courtyards, and a café. Visits are unhurried and reflective, with a mix of garden history, design, and seasonal events. It feels quieter than much of central London, yet remains easy to reach from Waterloo, Lambeth North, and Vauxhall.
Mon–Fri 10:00–17:00Price level $$Time to spend 0.8–3.5 hrs
Florence Nightingale Museum
Compact and focused, the Florence Nightingale Museum traces one woman’s influence on modern nursing through objects, displays and careful interpretation. Set within St Thomas’ Hospital on Lambeth Palace Road, it feels more like a specialist heritage stop than a broad museum visit. Expect a calm, indoor experience shaped by Victorian medical history, Crimean War context and public-health reform.
Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00Price level $Time to spend 0.8–2 hrs
Dean's Yard
Dean's Yard is the enclosed green forecourt and precinct beside Westminster Abbey, more a historic church courtyard than a public park. Stone walls, clipped grass and Abbey buildings give it a formal, collegiate feel in the middle of Westminster. Most visitors pass through on the way to the Abbey, but it rewards a slower look for its calm, ordered atmosphere and strong royal-historical associations.
Mon–Fri 8:00–17:00 · Sat 8:00–14:00Price level $$Time to spend 0.2–3 hrs
Mall Galleries
On The Mall, between Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square, Mall Galleries is a compact contemporary art venue built around temporary shows, open exhibitions, and artist-led events. Expect three interlinking galleries, a café, and a shop rather than a vast museum. The mood is calm and specialist, with figurative and portrait work taking centre stage.
Price level $Time to spend 0.8–3 hrs
Jewel Tower
The Jewel Tower is a rare surviving fragment of the 14th-century Palace of Westminster, built c.1365 to safeguard King Edward III’s royal treasures. Located on Abingdon Street, London, this moated medieval tower features exquisite stone vaulting, historical exhibitions across three floors, and remnants of its original defensive moat. Managed by English Heritage, it offers visitors a glimpse into England’s royal and parliamentary history through carefully preserved architecture and engaging displays.
Daily 10:00–17:00Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Parliament Square Garden
Parliament Square Garden is a compact civic green at the centre of Westminster, framed by the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey. It is less a park for lingering than a place to cross, pause and read the city’s political stage. Statues, paved paths, benches and constant traffic give it a formal, exposed feel that suits short visits between major sights.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.2–2 hrs
Leake St
Leake Street is a short, high-impact stop beneath Waterloo station where walls are covered in constantly changing graffiti. The tunnel feels raw and improvised, with spray paint, layered tags, and artists often at work in view. Around it, the Leake Street Arches add food, drink, and event spaces, making this more than a photo stop, but still best experienced as a brief urban walk-through.
Price level $Time to spend 0.5–3 hrs
The Boat Show Comedy Club
A comedy club aboard the historic Tattershall Castle, this central London venue pairs stand-up sets with bar service and river views. Expect a compact, indoor night out rather than a sightseeing stop: arrive for drinks, settle into seated shows below deck, then linger for late-night conversation or weekend club access. The setting on Victoria Embankment gives it a distinctly floating, urban feel.
Daily 16:00–4:00Price level $$Time to spend 1.5–5 hrs
St Margaret's Church
St Margaret's Church, nestled beside Westminster Abbey on Parliament Square in London, is a historic Anglican parish church dating back to the 12th century. Known as the parish church of the House of Commons since 1614, it features stunning late Gothic Perpendicular architecture, notable stained glass windows, and memorials to figures such as Sir Walter Raleigh and John Milton. This tranquil church offers a unique glimpse into Britain's intertwined religious and political heritage within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mon–Fri 10:30–15:30 · Sat 10:30–15:00Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Boadicea and Her Daughters
This bronze monument to Boudica and her daughters stands on the Victoria Embankment beside Westminster Bridge, where river views, traffic, and Parliament create a distinctly London backdrop. It is a quick stop rather than a long visit: most people pause for photos, read the figure’s symbolism, and move on along the Thames. The scale is striking, the setting is exposed, and the atmosphere is firmly civic and urban.
Daily 6:00–22:00Time to spend 0.2–2 hrs
The Supreme Court
Set on Parliament Square, the UK Supreme Court is a compact but significant stop for travellers interested in law, politics, and civic architecture. Housed in the former Middlesex Guildhall, it combines a working courtroom with visitor exhibitions, guided access, and a formal, hushed atmosphere. Most visits are short, but the building rewards close attention.
Mon–Fri 9:00–17:00Time to spend 0.5–3 hrs
Korean Cultural Centre UK
Set in Grand Buildings on the Strand, the Korean Cultural Centre UK is a small but focused cultural venue near Trafalgar Square. Expect temporary exhibitions, talks, workshops and a library with Korean- and English-language material. The mood is quiet, curated and educational rather than busy, making it a good stop for travellers interested in contemporary Korean culture, literature and design.
Mon–Fri 9:00–17:30Time to spend 0.5–3 hrs
Build-A-Bear Workshop - Westminster Bridge
Set inside County Hall beside Westminster Bridge, this Build-A-Bear branch is less a souvenir stop than a short, interactive indoor activity. Visitors choose a plush animal, add stuffing and the trademark heart ceremony, then dress it with clothes and accessories. The setting is central and practical rather than scenic, but it works well as a family break between the South Bank, the London Eye and Westminster sights.
Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00 · Sat–Sun 10:00–19:00Price level $$Time to spend 0.2–2 hrs
The Battle of Britain Monument
Set on Victoria Embankment near Westminster Bridge, this open-air memorial pairs bronze reliefs, named plaques and wartime symbolism with a busy Thames-side setting. It is a brief but affecting stop: part sculpture, part remembrance site, best visited slowly enough to read the inscriptions and study the scenes at street level.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.2–1 hr
Mahatma Gandhi statue
The Mahatma Gandhi statue in London’s Parliament Square is a 2.7-meter bronze sculpture by Philip Jackson, unveiled in 2015. It commemorates Gandhi’s legacy as a leader of non-violent resistance who played a pivotal role in India’s independence. Situated among statues of global statesmen, the statue’s lower plinth reflects Gandhi’s humility and accessibility. It stands near iconic landmarks like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, symbolizing the enduring friendship between the UK and India.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
The Royal Military Chapel (The Guards’ Chapel)
The Royal Military Chapel, better known as the Guards’ Chapel, is a working Anglican chapel inside Wellington Barracks on Birdcage Walk. It is the spiritual home of the Household Division and a place of remembrance, music, and military ceremony. The present building dates from 1963, after the wartime chapel was destroyed in 1944. Expect a brief, solemn visit rather than a conventional sightseeing stop.
Mon–Fri 10:00–16:00 · Sun 10:00–12:30Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
The Queen’s Walk
The Queen’s Walk is a flat riverside promenade on London’s South Bank, running past the London Eye, Jubilee Gardens and Thames viewpoints. It is less a single attraction than a scenic walking corridor, used for short strolls, photos, people-watching and moving between major landmarks. Expect constant foot traffic, open river views and a lively urban edge rather than quiet seclusion.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–4 hrs
Westminster Pier
Westminster Pier, located on the River Thames in central London, serves as a bustling ferry terminal and popular departure point for river sightseeing tours. Situated adjacent to the Houses of Parliament and near landmarks like Westminster Abbey and the London Eye, the pier offers stunning views and easy access to major attractions. Visitors can enjoy boat cruises that showcase London's historic skyline, making it an essential spot for exploring the city's riverside heritage and vibrant atmosphere.
Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–3 hrs
The Queen's Walk
The Queen’s Walk is a flat, open riverside promenade on London’s South Bank, linking major sights with constant Thames views. It is less a single attraction than a walkable corridor of bridges, benches, street life, and photo stops. Expect crowds near the London Eye and Southbank Centre, quieter stretches between them, and some of the best sunset angles on the river.
Time to spend 0.5–4 hrs
Crime Museum
At New Scotland Yard on Victoria Embankment, this is less a walk-in museum than a tightly controlled window into British policing history. The Crime Museum itself is not generally open to the public; access is usually through booked visits, exhibitions, or research appointments. Expect a formal, quiet setting, case material, and a strong institutional feel rather than a conventional gallery experience.
Price level $Time to spend 0.8–3 hrs
Royal Naval Division War Memorial
A compact First World War memorial on Horse Guards Road, this Lutyens-designed monument is a brief but meaningful stop in Westminster. It commemorates the Royal Naval Division and is best visited as part of a walk linking Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall and St James’s Park. Expect a formal, open-air setting, little shelter, and a short, reflective visit rather than a long stay.
Mon–Sat 8:00–20:00Time to spend 0.2–1 hr
Wine Cottage
Wine Cottage is a small-scale London wine club built around guided tastings rather than casual drop-ins. Expect a seated, hosted session with multiple wines, cheese and chocolate pairings, and a pace that encourages conversation and note-taking. It suits couples, small groups, solo wine enthusiasts, and business guests more than families or passers-by.
Sat 12:00–22:00Price level $$Time to spend 1.5–3 hrs
Memorial wall
The National Covid Memorial Wall in London is a poignant public tribute stretching over 500 metres along the South Bank of the River Thames. Comprising more than 240,000 hand-painted red hearts, each heart represents a life lost to COVID-19 in the UK. The wall faces the Houses of Parliament and serves as a powerful reminder of the pandemic's profound human cost, maintained by dedicated volunteers known as The Friends of the Wall.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
South of the River
Becket House is a prominent office building located just south of Westminster Bridge, opposite the Houses of Parliament in London. This substantial commercial property offers fully fitted office spaces with modern amenities, excellent natural light, and far-reaching views. It is conveniently situated within a short walk of major transport hubs including Waterloo, Westminster, and Lambeth North stations, making it a prime business location in the South Bank area.
Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–8 hrs
Royal Court
The Royal Court Theatre in London’s Sloane Square is a historic and pioneering venue renowned for championing new writing and innovative playwrights. Established in 1888 and home to the English Stage Company since 1956, it features two main auditoriums and has nurtured some of Britain’s most influential modern playwrights. The Grade II listed building combines rich theatrical heritage with a dynamic programme of contemporary productions.
Price level $$Time to spend 2–4 hrs
Bridge St
Bridge Street in London is a historic thoroughfare adjacent to London Bridge, linking the City of London with Southwark. It features a vibrant mix of historic and modern architecture, scenic views of the River Thames, and a lively urban atmosphere. This street serves as a key route steeped in centuries of cultural and commercial significance, surrounded by notable landmarks and offering excellent transport connectivity.
Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Parliament Sq
Parliament Square is an open public square in Westminster, set between the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and the Supreme Court. It is less a place to linger than a place to read London’s political geography at street level: statues, memorials, traffic, security and constant pedestrian movement. Most visits are brief, but the views are concentrated and unmistakably central London.
Time to spend 0.2–3 hrs
The Sanctuary
The Sanctuary is a small but significant forecourt beside Westminster Abbey, where the city’s ceremonial, religious, and political worlds meet. It is less a destination than a pause point: a place to frame the Abbey’s west front, wait for entry, and take in the dense historic setting around Parliament Square. Expect constant movement by day, brief stops, and strong photo opportunities rather than on-site activities.
Time to spend 0.2–2 hrs
The London Eye Millennium Pier
The London Eye Millennium Pier, located on the South Bank of the River Thames in London, serves as the key river transport hub adjacent to the iconic London Eye Ferris wheel. It offers convenient access to sightseeing cruises and riverboats, providing stunning views of landmarks such as Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. The pier is wheelchair accessible and well connected by nearby tube stations, making it an essential gateway for exploring central London by water.
Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
30 The Queen's Walk
This stretch of the South Bank is less a single sight than a busy riverside district: a pedestrian promenade, arts venues, food stops, and wide Thames views. It works as a flexible London stop, whether you are crossing the city, pausing for a drink, or walking between the London Eye and Waterloo. Expect crowds, street activity, and constant movement.
Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–4 hrs
Embankment station
Embankment station is a busy Underground interchange on the north bank of the Thames, used less for lingering than for moving efficiently between the river, the Strand, Covent Garden, and the West End. It is a practical central London node with Bakerloo, Circle, District, and Northern lines, plus quick access to riverside walks and nearby landmarks.
Price level $Time to spend 0.1–2 hrs
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