Top 7 Attractions in and around London’s Victoria District

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Located in the City of Westminster, in London, the small district of Victoria is bustling with top tourist attractions as well as restaurants, shops, bars, and hotels—a visit to the UK’s capital would be incomplete without exploring this fascinating area. It’s also one of the city’s busiest hubs, with Victoria Station receiving millions of visitors every day and enabling them to reach other destinations across the city and the country.

Moreover, there’s great accommodation in the area. During the off season, great London hotel special offers can help visitors save considerably on lodging expenses. A stay at the Marble Arch by Montcalm London is an ideal spot to get to all the top attractions you don’t want to miss.

1. The Apollo Victoria

For those who enjoy theatre, Victoria is a great place to be, with the best theatre spots within an easy stroll from Victoria Station. For example, the Apollo Victoria Theatre, in London’s famed West End, has played host to some of the finest musicals in the city. One of the biggest hits screened here has been the sensational hit musical Wicked, which has garnered over one hundred awards and more than 3,000 sold out performances. With great special effects, fabulous music and amazing costumes, Wicked is superb musical not to be missed when in visiting London.

2. A shopper’s paradise

Victoria is one of the best spots to indulge in some retail therapy. There are a variety of fabulous boutiques and centers where you can browse and shop to your heart’s content. One such place is the Victoria Place Shopping Centre. Located adjacent to the train station, it houses a variety of top UK retailers. When all that shopping builds up an appetite, there are plenty of restaurants and cafés to grab a bite to eat. Also in the vicinity is another great place to shop: Cardinal Place. It offers a fabulous modern shopping experience by offering a variety of trendy stores across three buildings. For a great place to dine, make your way to the Cardinal Cafe nearby.

3. Westminster Abbey

Where Westminster Abbey now stands was the former site of a church dedicated to St. Peter in the seventh century. Edward the Confessor was the founder of the Collegiate Church of St. Peter in Westminster, more commonly referred to as Westminster Abbey. It’s a classic example of Gothic architecture at its finest and has the highest nave of its type in the country. Constructed in 1065, it was intended to serve as a place for Edward’s interment. Since his burial in 1066, most British sovereigns have been laid to rest here. It has also served as the coronation venue for all the monarchs of Great Britain, with the exceptions of Edward V and Edward VIII. It has further been the setting for numerous royal weddings, the last of which was for Prince William and Kate Middleton.

4. Brompton Oratory

The official name of the Brompton Oratory is the London Oratory of St Philip Neri. It was built in 1181 and is a Roman Catholic church constructed in the medieval Renaissance style of architecture. It’s known for its magnificent interiors that include ornate decoration and the third largest nave in the country. Among other notable features, visitors will appreciate its Baroque altar (from the Dominican Church of Brescia), the altar of St Wilfrid’s Chapel (originally from St Servaas in Maastricht), breathtaking mosaics and, of course, the Carrara marble figures of the Apostles, which are placed between the pilasters. The Oratory is renowned for its outstanding choral performances and its incredible organ recitals, with the organ itself having close to 4,000 pipes.

5. St James’s Palace & St James’s Park

Located to the west of Trafalgar Square, St James’s is one of the most exclusive quarters of the city. It includes Waterloo Palace, Pall Mall, and St James’s Square, where the Duke of York statue stands. The palace includes Lancaster House, which hosts official receptions, and Clarence House, the home to Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, and the Duchess of Cornwall (Camilla Parker-Bowles).

The palace also has two chapels, with the Queen’s Chapel in Marlborough Street, and the Chapel Royal, located between Colour Court and Ambassador’s Court. One of eight Royal Parks, St. James’s Park is popular among locals and visitors alike.

6. Churchill War Rooms

The Second World War was one of the most critical times for the country when it faced the might of the German army along with its allies. London was the epicentre and served as central command for the battles fought all across Europe. One such reminder of that dark period is Winston Churchill’s underground war rooms, which contain numerous mementos from that historic era.

The Map Room, Transatlantic Telephone Room, which contains the telephone Churchill used to speak with American President Roosevelt, the Cabinet Room, and Churchill’s unpretentious bedroom are all in authentic condition.

7. The Cenotaph

London has numerous war-related landmarks, with the Cenotaph at Whitehall being one of the most prominent. Though originally constructed to commemorate the end of WWI, today it serves as the country’s memorial to the thousands of men and women who lost their lives serving the nation in all global conflicts since then. Remembrance Day is remembered here every year on November 11 at 11 a.m., when a special service is held with the Queen, Members of Parliament, and soldiers from the armed forces being present.