Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament

Westminster Bridge is painted the same shade of green as the benches in the House of Commons. It is the most photographed bridge in London, primarily because of what stands at its north end: the Palace of Westminster with the Elizabeth Tower — universally but incorrectly called Big Ben.

Wordsworth’s Bridge

In 1802, William Wordsworth crossed Westminster Bridge early in the morning and wrote one of his most famous sonnets: “Composed Upon Westminster Bridge.” He described London as “a sight so touching in its majesty” — the city spread silent in the early light, the Thames gliding peacefully below.

What You’ll See

From the bridge you have a direct view of the London Eye to the south-west. The MI5 building — Vauxhall Cross — is visible downstream. Westminster station is directly at the north end, on the Jubilee line, with its famous raw-concrete engineering.