The Victoria Tower Gardens
The Victoria Tower Gardens
4.5
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
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Neighborhood: Westminster
If you only had an afternoon to experience London on a grand scale, Westminster would be a wise place to start. The ornate Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey sit adjacent at a corner of Parliament Square, and a short stroll along The Mall leads to Buckingham Palace. Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column are just up the road as well. As captivating as the architecture is, the wonders of Mother Nature are highlights of the area too. St James's Park (arguably London's loveliest), the expansive Green Park, and pedestrian friendly tree lined paths along the river showcase the exquisite manicure provided by English gardeners. Just beyond the landmarks and the gorgeous outdoor spaces, quiet residential squares and age old local pubs offer a more subdued take on this global seat of power in the heart of London.
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4.5
135 reviews
Excellent
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Bluebellplasnewydd
Cardiff, UK2,043 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
Pleasant enough but not really worth a special visit. You get good views across the Thames to St Thomas’ Hospital. There is also an opportunity to gaze into the Houses of Parliament site but it is unrewarding. Visit just as part of your trip to Westminster.
Written October 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian T
London, UK8,047 contributions
Mar 2021
Victoria Tower Gardens is a small pocket of green space in the heart of Westminster, between the Houses of Parliament, the River Thames, Millbank and Lambeth Bridge.
It’s more a green open space than a garden, and I think the best things about it are the lovely views it affords of the mellow Victoria Tower (the south-western corner of the Palace of Westminster) and up, down and across the River Thames. I particularly like the view (through the trees) downstream, of the Westminster Bridge and the London Eye. You can sit awhile by the river, on seats that are on raised platforms to allow you to take in the beautiful views as you rest. And for those reasons it’s worth your while straying from the tourist mayhem on the Big Ben side of the Houses of Parliament to get these unique views.
As you wander through the park, look out for a number of memorials celebrating freedom. There’s the wonderfully ornate Buxton Memorial Fountain which marks the abolition of slavery and commemorates the work of MP Thomas Fowell Buxton. The fountain was originally constructed in Parliament Square, but was removed in 1940 and placed in its present position in 1957. It was commissioned by Charles Buxton MP to commemorate the abolition of slavery in 1834, dedicated to his father Thomas Fowell Buxton, and designed by Gothic architect Samuel Sanders Teulon in 1865.
Towards the Victoria Tower you’ll see a cast of the sculpture ‘The Burghers of Calais’, by the French sculptor, Auguste Rodin. It represents the idea of freedom from oppression and tells the story of the siege of Calais in 1347, during the Hundred Years War. It was purchased by the British government in 1911 and positioned in the gardens in 1915.
Just by the entrance to the garden by the Victoria Tower you will see a statue of the suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst. It’s by Arthur George Walker, and was unveiled in 1930. It’s entitled the ‘Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst Memorial’. This of course is the memorial to Emmeline Pankhurst, the leader of the suffragettes who campaigned for women's right to vote. Christabel was Emmeline’s daughter, and the bronze reliefs commentating her life were added in 1958.
For the children the Horseferry Playground towards the Lambeth Bridge end of the park is a pleasant spot; it includes a sandpit, dance chimes and a water play feature.
The park has not been without some controversy. It has been selected as the site for a Holocaust Memorial, with some local opposition to that proposal.
It won’t take you long to visit the park, but do so as it will give you perspectives of the Houses of Parliament and the River Thames which are different to what the tourist hordes usually see.
It’s more a green open space than a garden, and I think the best things about it are the lovely views it affords of the mellow Victoria Tower (the south-western corner of the Palace of Westminster) and up, down and across the River Thames. I particularly like the view (through the trees) downstream, of the Westminster Bridge and the London Eye. You can sit awhile by the river, on seats that are on raised platforms to allow you to take in the beautiful views as you rest. And for those reasons it’s worth your while straying from the tourist mayhem on the Big Ben side of the Houses of Parliament to get these unique views.
As you wander through the park, look out for a number of memorials celebrating freedom. There’s the wonderfully ornate Buxton Memorial Fountain which marks the abolition of slavery and commemorates the work of MP Thomas Fowell Buxton. The fountain was originally constructed in Parliament Square, but was removed in 1940 and placed in its present position in 1957. It was commissioned by Charles Buxton MP to commemorate the abolition of slavery in 1834, dedicated to his father Thomas Fowell Buxton, and designed by Gothic architect Samuel Sanders Teulon in 1865.
Towards the Victoria Tower you’ll see a cast of the sculpture ‘The Burghers of Calais’, by the French sculptor, Auguste Rodin. It represents the idea of freedom from oppression and tells the story of the siege of Calais in 1347, during the Hundred Years War. It was purchased by the British government in 1911 and positioned in the gardens in 1915.
Just by the entrance to the garden by the Victoria Tower you will see a statue of the suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst. It’s by Arthur George Walker, and was unveiled in 1930. It’s entitled the ‘Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst Memorial’. This of course is the memorial to Emmeline Pankhurst, the leader of the suffragettes who campaigned for women's right to vote. Christabel was Emmeline’s daughter, and the bronze reliefs commentating her life were added in 1958.
For the children the Horseferry Playground towards the Lambeth Bridge end of the park is a pleasant spot; it includes a sandpit, dance chimes and a water play feature.
The park has not been without some controversy. It has been selected as the site for a Holocaust Memorial, with some local opposition to that proposal.
It won’t take you long to visit the park, but do so as it will give you perspectives of the Houses of Parliament and the River Thames which are different to what the tourist hordes usually see.
Written March 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eyekaytoo
Leverkusen, Germany3,143 contributions
Feb 2019 • Solo
I had wandered down to Westminster on a bright, cold but sunny Sunday morning to see if there were any Brexit demonstrations in progress. There weren’t. So I headed further into the Victoria Tower Gardens and made my way to one of the park benches overlooking the Thames. What a lovely way to relax in the winter sun – sitting and watching the river traffic as well as people watching in the park. All within the imposing shadow of the mighty, imposing Westminster buildings.
Written February 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK185,662 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
This small park is right next to the Houses of Parliament. It's definitely worth a small detour if visiting the Parliament if only to see the 3 monuments in the gardens. There's one to Emmeline Parkhurst, British political activist and leader of the British suffragette movement; The Burghers of Calais, commemorating the citizens who offered themselves up as hostages to lift a year long siege of their city; The Buxton Memorial to Thomas Fowell Buxton for his work in the abolition of slavery.
The garden is well maintained, has great views of the Houses of Parliament, the River Thames, Waterloo Bridge and Westminster Bridge. There's paved walkways to stroll all around the park as well as a children's play area at the Waterloo Bridge end of the park, which also leads up some stairs to the northern end of the bridge.
The garden is well maintained, has great views of the Houses of Parliament, the River Thames, Waterloo Bridge and Westminster Bridge. There's paved walkways to stroll all around the park as well as a children's play area at the Waterloo Bridge end of the park, which also leads up some stairs to the northern end of the bridge.
Written January 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
places2seeplaces2go
England, UK6,422 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
These lovely quiet little gardens are just north of the river just by Westminster & not too far from Parliament Square.
You get some good & different views of the river and Westminster from here.
This was my first time of visiting these gardens & would most definitely revisit when next in the area, hopefully on a warmer day though
You get some good & different views of the river and Westminster from here.
This was my first time of visiting these gardens & would most definitely revisit when next in the area, hopefully on a warmer day though
Written February 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken R
Andover, UK802 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
The gardens are in a very busy part of London and yet give an air of tranquility on entering.
It's a small space and also seems to catch the wind so best wrap up warm.
If walking along the north bank of the Thames it really is worth stepping through and relaxing.
It's a small space and also seems to catch the wind so best wrap up warm.
If walking along the north bank of the Thames it really is worth stepping through and relaxing.
Written May 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WMIM
Horsham, UK3,201 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
This little-known small park is bordered by the Palace of Westminster to the North, Millbank to the West, the River Thames to the East and the approach to Lambeth Bridge to the south.
It's a good place to relax after enduring the crowds at the various attractions in Westminster or at Tate Britain art gallery.
There isn't a café or restaurant so bring your own food and drink if you fancy eating here.
There are seats on the pathway overlooking the river with views to Lambeth Palace.
A cast of Auguste Rodin's 'The Burghers of Calais' is near the Palace of Westminster end and the Buxton Memorial Fountain, a curious Victorian monument to the abolition of slavery in the British Empire, is near the South end.
It's a good place to relax after enduring the crowds at the various attractions in Westminster or at Tate Britain art gallery.
There isn't a café or restaurant so bring your own food and drink if you fancy eating here.
There are seats on the pathway overlooking the river with views to Lambeth Palace.
A cast of Auguste Rodin's 'The Burghers of Calais' is near the Palace of Westminster end and the Buxton Memorial Fountain, a curious Victorian monument to the abolition of slavery in the British Empire, is near the South end.
Written March 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Knutey1111
New Hope, MN635 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
It was really nice and calm sitting in the area compared to the crowded Parliament Square. We sat and ate a small sack lunch in the Victoria Tower Gardens during our visit to the area. There were not very many benches around so we picked a spot that looked to be relatively bird-poop free and plopped down. The gardens aren't very big or packed with interesting things to see. There is a fountain and a memorial to the Burghers of Calais. Along the riverfront you can see the London Eye and the Lambeth Bridge (used for filming the Knight Bus scene in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban).
Written November 16, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen W
Playa del Ingles, Spain203 contributions
May 2014 • Friends
Bordered by the Houses of Parliament, the River Thames and Lambeth Bridge this triangular shaped Royal Park lies at the heart of Westminster. It's 'tourist central' and yet overlooked completely almost. It's not exceptional in and of itself. What makes it worth the time is that it is literally at the end of the Palace Of Westminster (aka Houses of Parliament) and so offers respite from the throngs around you and that within unspoilt trees and grass. Just recently, my daughter and her friends all their twenties had a relaxing, unhurried picnic there. All agreed that the 5-minute walk from Westminster Underground station afforded the most amazing urban vistas. Some additional advise: When exiting Westminster tube (across from Big Ben), select from very close-by Tesco Metro, something to eat & drink. That way you'll spend a great deal less money whilst also having to hand still chilled juice/water after your amble through Westminster Abbey or some such.
Written May 14, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SimeyWimey
Whitstable, UK896 contributions
Jan 2020
Worth finding and with benches with a good view. Less crowded than other Thames side locations. Small kids play area and a cafe which was closed when I was there
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Salve, l'ingresso è gratuito o si paga un biglietto? Grazie
Written August 6, 2016
Non ricordo bene ma noi prima di partire abbiamo fatto la london pass costa 150 sterline ma ha molte cose comprese ne vale la pena compresa la london tower
Written August 6, 2016
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