College Green

College Green is a small public park in the Westminster area of London, directly opposite the Palace of Westminster, the home of the UK Parliament. For most visitors it is first of all a place they already know from the television news: broadcasters set up their cameras here whenever they report on events in the Commons and the Lords.

Where is College Green and how do you get there?

The green sits in the heart of central London, close to Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster. A road separates it from the parliamentary grounds, and the abbey's gardens lie to the west. The area is easy to explore on foot, since the district's main sights are a short walk apart. The coordinates are roughly 51.4979 N, 0.1262 W.

Why is it called College Green?

The name does not come from a college green as such but from the nearby abbey. Officially the site is called Abingdon Street Gardens, and it is also known as Abingdon Green. Among the other places called College Green, such as those in Bristol or Dublin, the London one is by far the smallest and the most closely tied to politics.

How did the park come about?

The site was originally a tidal bank of the Thames, separated from the abbey's College Garden by a medieval wall. After the Second World War the 18th-century houses along Abingdon Street were demolished, and the gardens were laid out in the 1960s. An underground car park built in the early 1960s lies beneath the lawns, so the park effectively sits on its roof.

What is there to see?

The gardens contain Henry Moore's bronze sculpture "Knife Edge Two Piece". It is one of the best-known artistic landmarks in this part of the city and a good reason to pause here even if politics does not interest you. Beyond that, the park is mainly open space with a view of the Gothic Revival facade of Parliament and the surrounding landmarks.

Why is College Green famous on television?

Parliament's own vocabulary describes it as the green area between the Palace and the Abbey precincts where broadcast interviews are often filmed. It became especially visible in 2019, during the Brexit deadlock, when it was used almost exclusively for television broadcasts and for radio and press interviews. Protesters regularly appeared behind MPs being interviewed, the best known being Steve Bray, who wore a top hat reading "Stop Brexit".

Frequently asked questions

Is it free to enter College Green?

Yes, it is a public park. On days of major political events, however, parts of it can be taken up by television crews.

Can I enter Parliament from College Green?

No. A road separates the park from the parliamentary grounds, and visiting the Palace of Westminster requires a separate booking.

Is it a good spot for photos?

Yes. The park looks across to the Parliament building, and Henry Moore's sculpture stands nearby, so there are plenty of frames to choose from.

How long should I plan for a visit?

It is a small green, so a few minutes to a quarter of an hour is usually enough, ideally as part of a longer walk around Westminster.

Is College Green the same as Abingdon Street Gardens?

Yes. Abingdon Street Gardens is the official name of the site, while College Green and Abingdon Green are the everyday names.

Summary

College Green is neither a large nor a spectacular park, but its setting is unusual. It lies at the centre of British politics, has a post-war history of demolished streets and new gardens, holds a Henry Moore sculpture, and works as an open-air television studio. For anyone visiting Westminster it makes a short but interesting stop, letting you see a place familiar from the screen and understand why journalists choose it.