Top Things To See And Do In London Victoria

Named after the famous Queen, London Victoria is home to numerous bars, restaurants, shops and hotels, as well as some of London’s main tourist attractions. Victoria Station is one of the city’s busiest transport hubs, making it easy for tourists and locals alike to travel to other destinations. However, if you’d rather explore Victoria itself, here is our list of the best things to see and do in the area.

A Night At The Theatre

For theatre-lovers, Victoria is undoubtedly one of the best parts of London to visit; with easy access to two of London’s most famous musicals. Within walking distance from Victoria Station, the Apollo Victoria is well-known for hosting hit musical and West End sensation Wicked — which has won over 100 international awards and has an impressive 3,500 performances under its belt. Boasting some seriously impressive costumes, special effects and fantastically catchy songs, Wicked is a superbly entertaining show for adults and children alike. Also close by is the Victoria Palace Theatre, currently showing Billy Elliot: The Musical. An emotional roller-coaster with some amazing dancing and singing, this is a show that is fully deserving of its numerous five-star reviews. If you’re looking for an evening of entertainment, dance and toe-tapping songs, London Victoria is the place for you. Why not check out our list of the best restaurants in Victoria for a pre-theatre supper?
The Apollo, 17 Wilton Road, London, UK

Victoria Palace Theatre, Victoria Street, London, UK

Hit The Shops

As one of London’s busiest districts, Victoria offers a wealth of different shops and boutiques for those who love retail therapy. The most accessible is the Victoria Place Shopping Centre, which is right next to the train station, and is home to a number of different UK retailers. There is also a range of different cafés, restaurants and coffee shops for shoppers who need a well-earned break and a bite to eat. Also near the railway station, Cardinal Place is the ultimate modern shopping experience; with numerous high-end shops spread over three buildings. The Cardinal Café is a great spot to enjoy breakfast, lunch, or a light snack in-between shops.
Victoria Place, 115 Buckingham Palace Road, London, UK, +44 207 931 8811

Cardinal Place, Victoria St, London, UK

London History

Market, Building

Victoria is one of the best districts in London to visit if you want to see some of the city’s most historic landmarks, as it is right next to Westminster. Start your history tour at the mother church of all Catholic churches — Westminster Cathedral. You can then take a walk past the glorious old buildings of Victoria to Westminster Abbey, steeped in history and home to paintings, textiles, sculpture and stained glass. Buckingham Palace also offers exclusive guided tours of its state rooms, where you can view chandeliers and famous masterpieces from the Royal Collection, while listening to an expert tour guide. Also nearby are the Houses of Parliament, Elizabeth Tower and the Churchill War Rooms. The Houses of Parliament offer guests an afternoon tea in the terrace pavilion, which overlooks the River Thames — a lovely way to end a tour. Thanks to the handy distance between these attractions, you can see many of London’s most famous buildings in the space of one day.

The Queen's Gallery

Art Gallery

If you’re an art-lover, The Queen’s Gallery offers an array of exhibitions including Masters of the Everyday: Dutch Artists in the Age of Vermeer— a collection of richly detailed paintings depicting the lives of ordinary people from the 17th century. If cartoon satire is more your cup of tea, Thomas Rowlandson’s comic art collection High Spiritsis also on display — a caricaturist’s humorous view of life at the beginning of the 19th century. There are also several seasonal events, including a performance from students of the Royal College of Music on Thursday December 10th, 2015.

A Walk In The Park

Memorial, Park

St James’s Park is one of London’s finest green spaces

Victoria offers easy access to London’s oldest Royal park — St James’s Park. The point of call for many exciting events throughout the year, St James’s Park is perhaps most famous for its proximity to the Horse Guards Parade, and the annual Trooping of the Colour also takes place nearby. If you’re a wildlife fan, St James’s is home to numerous birds, animals and plants, and even the famous St James’s Park pelicans. Visitors can watch the pelicans being fed fresh fish between 2:30 pm and 3:00 pm every day. For those who are keen walkers, the seven-mile-long Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk passes through St James’s Park, as well as Hyde Park, Green Park and Kensington Gardens. However, if you’d rather just relax, Inn the Park, St James’ Park restaurant, is open for business, as well as other refreshment points around the park.
By Eleanor Russell

About the author

Eleanor Russell

Ellie recently graduated from Leeds with a degree in English Literature and Spanish. Her dual passion for art and baking means that she can often be found up to her elbows in either paint or cake batter, but she also loves cats, reading, cats, Barcelona and cats.