Where to stay near the Houses of Parliament
Westminster is the area around the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Parliament Square. Westminster Bridge links it to the South Bank on the other side of the Thames. These two areas are the natural bases for a trip built around Parliament, with the main rail stations close by.
This is an independent guide to areas, not a hotel list. It names no individual hotels and quotes no room rates. Compare your own options by the points below, and check the current price and availability when you book.
Two areas compared
Pick the base that fits how you travel.
| Westminster | South Bank and Waterloo | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it is | By Parliament, the Abbey and Parliament Square | Across Westminster Bridge from Parliament |
| Getting to Parliament | Westminster station is on the Circle, District and Jubilee lines | About 20 minutes on foot from Waterloo, or the Jubilee line to Westminster |
| Trains | Victoria and Charing Cross are about 20 minutes on foot | Waterloo has main-line trains and the Tube |
| Hotels | Check the exact location of each hotel | Hotels range from budget to luxury |
The station distances above do not apply to every hotel in an area. Check the distance from your own hotel to the entrance you will use.
How to choose a base
Four questions that decide it.
Which entrance will you use?
Most visitors go in at Cromwell Green. Tickets for tours are also sold at the ticket office in Portcullis House on Victoria Embankment. Compare your hotel with the entrance you need, not only with the nearest Tube station.
Getting there →Which Tube line do you need?
Westminster station has the Circle, District and Jubilee lines. A hotel on one of those lines is a simple ride. Check how it connects to the station where you arrive in London.
How do you arrive on tour day?
Parliament's security check is similar to an airport, and you should arrive at least 20 minutes before your ticket time. Bags larger than 60 by 40 cm are not allowed, and there is no cloakroom. If you check out that morning, leave your luggage at the hotel.
Visitor rules →Do you need step-free access?
Westminster Tube station is step-free, and staff help without a booking. Ask each hotel about its own access, because the station facts do not apply to every hotel in the area.
Westminster tours and day trips
Guided walks, river trips and sightseeing from the Westminster area, with live prices and availability.
Staying close to Parliament
A base near Westminster lets you walk to Parliament and the Abbey, and Westminster Pier is on Victoria Embankment for boats. You can plan around a Saturday tour, an early debate or the Wednesday session at noon without a long journey.
Staying near Waterloo or on the South Bank gives you the choice of hotels from budget to luxury, and Waterloo has trains and the Tube. Walk over Westminster Bridge, or take the Jubilee line for the single stop to Westminster.
Neither area gives you a hotel with a guaranteed view of the Palace. Do not book on a promised view unless the hotel confirms the room.
Plan the rest of your visit
Once you have a base.
Getting to the Houses of Parliament
Tube, buses, trains and the visitor entrance.
Best time to visit
Saturdays, recess and the sitting calendar.
Westminster Abbey
Prices, hours and how to pair it with Parliament.
For the Big Ben area, see where to stay near Big Ben, and for the royal palace see where to stay near Buckingham Palace.
Where to stay near Parliament: frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay for the Houses of Parliament?
Westminster gives the shortest walk, and the South Bank and Waterloo area gives more hotel choice. Both are close to Parliament. Choose by Tube line, walking distance and your budget.
Is Waterloo close to Parliament?
It is about a 20-minute walk. The Jubilee line runs from Waterloo to Westminster, a single stop, though you should add the walk through the stations and the wait.
Do hotels near Parliament have a view of Big Ben?
That depends on the hotel and the room. Ask the hotel directly and do not book on an assumed view.
Can I leave luggage at Parliament?
No. There is no cloakroom, and bags larger than 60 by 40 cm are not allowed. Leave luggage at your hotel.
Which station is best for arrival in London?
Victoria, Charing Cross and Waterloo are each about a 20-minute walk from Parliament. Choose the one that fits your train, then compare hotels near it.