Parks & Open Spaces

Visitors

Parks & Open Spaces

Victoria, like a lot of London is punctuated with green squares, parks and open spaces. Take the opportunity to relax in nearby Royal Parks like St. James's Park or Green Park. Whatever the season there is always something going on. During the summer you can rent a deck chair or have a picnic. It’s a short walk through the park to the Mall towards Admiralty Arch and Trafalgar Square. Trafalgar Square is one of the most vibrant and elegant public squares in London. Defined on its northern edge by the National Gallery and St Martin-in-the-Fields, it houses some of the UK’s national treasures.

At Hyde Park Corner you will find a series of moving memorials dedicated to the fallen from both World Wars located in and around the Wellington Arch, on their own grassy island between Green Park and Hyde Park. Overlooking the arch is Apsley House, which is also well worth a visit. Also known as Number One London, the most sought after address in the city, Apsley House is the former residence to the Duke of Wellington. Now a museum, there is a very fine collection of paintings by artists like Velazquez and Rubens, beautifully situated within elegant rooms, with views across Hyde Park.

To the north there is Hyde Park itself providing a green lung for Londoners with access to the Serpentine and its boating lake. Between Easter and October you can hire pedal or rowing boats and there are often concerts in the park during the summer months, well worth keeping an eye out for.

Visitor Attractions

Visit London’s museums and galleries, SW1 is home to some well-known visitor attractions like The Queen’s Gallery and Buckingham Palace...

London 2012 Games

With London's visitor attractions a few minutes walk away Victoria is the best place to stay during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Transport

Victoria Station is one of the most important gateways within the city’s transport network, used by visitors from home and abroad...

Walking Tours

There are guided walking tours if you want to get to know the SW1 area better and uncover the area’s rich history...