
Westminster Underground Station, London
Westminster Underground Station—the place where politics, architecture, and a touch of wizardry all ride the same escalator. Nestled right in the high-stakes heart of London, this Tube stop practically breathes down Big Ben’s neck. Served by the District, Circle, and Jubilee lines, it’s the public transport equivalent of a Swiss Army knife.
Opened as far back as 1868, the station has undergone numerous upgrades, as you would expect, with its most dramatic transformation happening in the 1990s. This revamp introduced its signature industrial design—exposed steel beams, vast vertical space, cavernous shafts, and modernist, concrete chic—earning it several architectural accolades.
To reach the platforms, you’ll be descending over 30 meters into what feels like a dramatic, metallic bat cave. The escalator ride alone deserves its own soundtrack.
Step back up into daylight, and voilà—you’re face to face with Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey. Take a few more steps and you’ll be by the River Thames, with the London Eye in the distance and Westminster Bridge daring you to walk into South Bank territory.
But wait—there’s magic, too. In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Mr. Weasley makes his awkward debut in the Muggle world here, bumbling through ticket barriers like every tourist with an Oyster card in the wrong hand. They actually shut down the station for a whole day to film this scene—Muggles, avert your eyes! Blink and you’ll also spot Harry and the Order of the Phoenix gang skimming over Westminster on their broomsticks, heading towards the London Eye – yee-haw!!!
So whether you’re a commuter, a sightseer, or just hoping to spot an occasional wizard-in-a-rush, Westminster Underground delivers a fascinating blend of drama, design, and cinematic charm.
Opened as far back as 1868, the station has undergone numerous upgrades, as you would expect, with its most dramatic transformation happening in the 1990s. This revamp introduced its signature industrial design—exposed steel beams, vast vertical space, cavernous shafts, and modernist, concrete chic—earning it several architectural accolades.
To reach the platforms, you’ll be descending over 30 meters into what feels like a dramatic, metallic bat cave. The escalator ride alone deserves its own soundtrack.
Step back up into daylight, and voilà—you’re face to face with Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey. Take a few more steps and you’ll be by the River Thames, with the London Eye in the distance and Westminster Bridge daring you to walk into South Bank territory.
But wait—there’s magic, too. In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Mr. Weasley makes his awkward debut in the Muggle world here, bumbling through ticket barriers like every tourist with an Oyster card in the wrong hand. They actually shut down the station for a whole day to film this scene—Muggles, avert your eyes! Blink and you’ll also spot Harry and the Order of the Phoenix gang skimming over Westminster on their broomsticks, heading towards the London Eye – yee-haw!!!
So whether you’re a commuter, a sightseer, or just hoping to spot an occasional wizard-in-a-rush, Westminster Underground delivers a fascinating blend of drama, design, and cinematic charm.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Westminster Underground Station on Map
Sight Name: Westminster Underground Station
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in London, England
Create Your Own Walk in London
Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Beatles London Walking Tour
The Beatles, often hailed as one of the most influential bands in music history, began their journey in Liverpool in 1960, but it was in London that they truly became global icons. While Liverpool gave them their start, the British capital became their professional playground during the peak of Beatlemania. From recording sessions and business deals to public performances and personal milestones,... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Walk around Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, the British monarch's official residence, is a must-see for anyone visiting London, but so are the adjacent royal establishments that give a unique window into the royal way of life. On this self-guided walking tour, along with Buckingham Palace and its memorable fountain, you will visit the St. James's private royal residence, the wonderful Queen's Gallery, and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Shakespeare's London Walking Tour
You might know him as “the Bard,” but to England, William Shakespeare is practically the patron saint of poetic plot twists. Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon to John Shakespeare, a glove maker and town official, and Mary Arden from a prosperous farming family, young William started life with ink in his veins and Latin on his mind. Grammar school likely gave him his first taste of rhetoric.... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
London's Historic Pubs Walk
If there’s any more iconic symbol for London than Big Ben or the London Eye, then it must be the traditional English pub. And London sure is full of them, dating from pre-Victorian times to just about five minutes ago.
With so much history surrounding London there is no shortage of historic pubs to choose from. Whether you fancy half-timbered, rambling watering holes or small but perfectly... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.6 Km or 3.5 Miles
With so much history surrounding London there is no shortage of historic pubs to choose from. Whether you fancy half-timbered, rambling watering holes or small but perfectly... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.6 Km or 3.5 Miles
London Introduction Walking Tour
London: the capital of England, heart of the UK, and international heavyweight in history, culture, and sheer charm. Its name comes straight out of Rome. Londinium was founded circa 43 AD as a trading post. Then came Queen Boudica in 61 AD, who, let’s say, didn’t care much for Roman urban planning and burnt it to the ground. But Londinium wasn’t one to stay down—it bounced back,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Charles Dickens Tour
Imagine a world without Dickens. No Oliver Twist, no Ebenezer Scrooge, no brooding orphans wandering foggy streets with suspiciously eloquent vocabularies. Tough to picture, right? That’s because Charles Dickens didn’t just leave a mark on literature—he practically steamrolled through it in a horse-drawn carriage. Recognized as the undisputed heavyweight of Victorian storytelling, he... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
London Souvenirs: 18 Distinctively British Products for Travelers
Most visitors to London consider shopping as part of their must-do London experience. From street markets to Victorian arcades to snobbish Sloane Square to busy Oxford Street, there are a host of shops selling items which typically represent this vibrant city. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs...