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Ninety seconds on Westminster
The district at the centre of British government and the monarchy. Parliament, the Abbey, the ministries of Whitehall and Buckingham Palace all sit within it, close enough to cover on foot in one outing.
The road between Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square, recognised as the centre of the UK government. The Ministry of Defence, the Cabinet Office and much of the Foreign Office have buildings along it.
On foot and for free, the statues of Parliament Square, the Cenotaph, the Horse Guards and the lake of St James's Park. The Abbey, Parliament, the palace and the Churchill War Rooms each need their own ticket and time.
Two to three hours covers the streets and the park at an easy pace, with stops at the Cenotaph and the Horse Guards. Each interior, such as the Abbey or a Parliament tour, is booked separately and takes extra time.
Take the Underground to Westminster station, by the bridge of the same name on the Thames. Parliament Square is beside the station, which makes it the natural place to begin the walk north.
Walk Westminster as one route: Parliament Square, up Whitehall to Horse Guards, then through St James's Park and down The Mall to the palace. Allow a morning or an afternoon, and save the interiors for separate visits.
Parliament Square is the start. Twelve statues of statesmen stand around the green, and Winston Churchill's faces Parliament across the road.
Whitehall runs north from the square towards Trafalgar Square and is the street of government, lined with ministries. The Cenotaph, Lutyens's national war memorial, stands in the middle of the road. Further up is the turning for Downing Street, where the prime minister lives at number 10.
The Horse Guards building once formed the entrance to the Palace of Whitehall. For that reason the King's Life Guard still guards it ceremonially, and its arch leads through to Horse Guards Parade.
Beyond the parade ground, St James's Park is the green end of the walk. The Mall runs from it to Buckingham Palace.
Come out of Westminster Underground station by Westminster Bridge. Step onto the bridge to see the Palace of Westminster along the river, then cross to Parliament Square.
Head up Whitehall past the Cenotaph and Downing Street, and go through the Horse Guards arch to the parade ground. Cross St James's Park and finish at the gates of Buckingham Palace.
Pair the walk with Westminster Abbey, whose North Entrance is on Parliament Square, and Houses of Parliament, which face the square. Churchill War Rooms is a third ticketed stop to add. None of them is needed for the walk itself.
Leave the park by The Mall rather than a side gate, so the palace comes into view straight ahead along the length of the avenue.
Some of the park's pedestrian gates stay open until midnight, so the route also works as an evening walk once the ticketed sights have shut.
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The official pages this guide was checked against.
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