Beyond Big Ben: Explore the Hidden Gems of the UK
The UK’s Big Ben is one of London’s most visited locations near some of the city’s most famous tourist attractions. It isn’t only overseas visitors who venture from around the world to see the famous clock. You will also find plenty of Brits from across the country who have traveled from all parts of the UK to get an up close and personal look at Britain’s most famous clock.
Depending on which direction you came from, once you pass all the tourist attractions on your way to Big Ben, you can cross the road and walk right up to the foot of the clock. With expert camera maneuverability, you can get a decent photo of yourself and your entire family underneath the towering structure. Perfect for that time when you look back on that amazing day, you’ll always remember the fun journey to the clock, come rain or shine.
Beyond Big Ben
Once you have visited Big Ben, there are several directions you can take depending on where you came from. We’ll take you in four directions. North, East, South, and West.
Heading North from Big Ben
The most interesting route is north up Parliament Street. If you came from this direction, skip to our East, South, or West guides below.
Keep your eyes open for King Charles Arch at the traffic lights along the way, which makes for a great photo opportunity. The next chance to take more snaps is on the right-hand side, where you will see The Cenotaph War Memorial. As you continue up Parliament Street, you will walk past ‘Number 10 Downing Street’, where the UK’s Prime Minister lives—hence the name of the road!
Another tourist attraction to look out for en route is The Treasury Horse Guards, where you’ll find more great photo opportunities to have your picture taken with the Royal Horse Guards. Be careful not to get too close to horses—some love to chomp on a ponytail or long hair, which will mean you’ll likely become a part of all the other tourists’ holiday photo albums!
Eventually, you will reach Trafalgar Square. Here, you will see the fountains and lions. You will also have another photo opportunity of the square’s towering structure, Nelson’s Column. On the Easternmost edge of the square, not many people know that London’s Smallest police station is situated here.
If you continue the Eater Road heading North on Charing Cross Road, there is something for everyone. The Gold Exchange is a small shop that sells Roman Coins, silver and gold sovereigns, and old banknotes like the old £1.00 note. Another popular destination up this street is the good old British pubs selling international beers and local British ales and IPAs. The Camden Pale Ale and Spitfire are some of the most popular IPAs in these pubs.
Keep walking, and you’ll come to Leister Square, where you’ll see the Hippodrome Casino at the entrance. The casino is walk-in and accepts non-members. Inside are PokerStars live games upstairs, and on the main floor, Evolution live roulette online casino tables are played by both those physically visiting the casino and those connecting to the table from online casinos.
From the Hippodrome, London is your Oyster. China Town is nearby, and Covent Garden is in the other direction. You can also walk up to Bond Street and Mayfair from here. This area is known as London’s West End, and there is much to do here. I suggest reading a guide to London’s West End.
Heading South from Big Ben
This is another interesting route. After you have snapped a few photos of Big Ben, head in the opposite direction to the bridge. You will see Parliament Square Garden with a statue of Winston Churchill. From here, you can walk down Abingdon Street. You’ll get a close-up look at the famous Westminster Abbey, an Anglican church that dates back to 1066.
If you would like a tour of the Abbey, booking online at the official Westminster Abbey website before you visit is best. Although there are walk-in options, you might find the day you visit is fully booked. Prepare to spend at least three to four hours here or more. There’s much to see here, including the Cloisters, College Garden, Chapter House, and the Pyx Chamber. Also, there are The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries and St Margaret's Church, and we recommend sitting down at the Cellarium Café and Terrace.
Beyond Westminster Abbey, there is still more to see. If you continue along the River Thames on Abingdon Street, you’ll come across Victoria Tower Gardens South. This serene riverfront park is filled with monuments and offers the chance for some riverside photography. If you still have energy, continue onto Millbank and past Lambeth Bridge, where you’ll eventually come to the Tate Britain Art Gallery.
Heading East from Big Ben
East of Big Ben will take you on another exciting journey through London. This time, you’ll visit the famous South Bank area.
Without a doubt, the main attraction here is the London Eye. You may also hear locals call this the Millennium Wheel, built in 2000 to celebrate the new millennium. As with Westminster Abbey mentioned above, book in advance to guarantee a spot on the London Eye. Tickets are around £30.00 to £35.00 each, depending on the day and time you visit. When you get into the wheel, the panoramic views of London are amazing. You’ll have fun pointing out famous London landmarks, and on a clear day, you’ll see beyond the city borders into the neighboring counties of Kent, Sussex, and Essex.
After the London Eye, there is a small unknown gem you just have to visit. It is called The Graffiti Tunnel. Here, it is legal for graffiti artists to spray paint on all kinds of art on the walls, and you can smell the artists spray at work as you walk down the alley. If you have time from here
Heading West from Big Ben
West of Big Ben offers yet another exciting walking adventure. Head West past Parliament Square Garden and onto Great George Street. This will take you to London’s famous St. James Park, and eventually, you’ll reach the gates of Buckingham Palace.
To be honest, you’ll spend some time in St. James Park before you get to the palace. There’s the Duck Island Cottage and St. James’s Park Drinking Fountain, and if you cross the bridge over the lake, you can walk directly up to Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk. If you have children, you may also want to head to the far Western side of the park for the kids’ playground. This will bring directly to the back of Buckingham Palace.
Once you’ve taken all your holiday snaps of the palace, head up Constitution Hill to the Wellington Arch for more photos, and then make a right for a well-deserved treat at the local Hard Rock Cafe.
The Complete Beyond Big Ben Tour
There are plenty of other tourist attractions to see beyond Big Ben. If you head further through South Bank, you’ll come to the Tate Modern art gallery and a river walk that takes you up to the famous Borough Food Market, HMS Belfast, and if you make it this far, you might as well continue to Tower Bridge and cross to the Tower of London.
Also, heading North from Big Ben opens up a new can of worms once you hit the West End. The M&M chocolate store, Lego store, Oxford Street, and Carnaby Street are all in this area. Therefore, before you visit, plan carefully because you need more than just a couple of days to visit all these attractions!
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