Victoria Tower Gardens

Victoria Tower Gardens is a public park on the north bank of the River Thames in Westminster, London. It lies right next to the Victoria Tower, at the south-western corner of the Palace of Westminster, and stretches south to Lambeth Bridge. The park runs between Millbank and the river and forms part of the Thames Embankment.

Where is Victoria Tower Gardens and what is it like?

The gardens are a long, narrow strip of lawn, trees and paths squeezed between a busy road and the water. Despite the traffic of Millbank on one side, the riverside promenade gives a calm view across the Thames towards Lambeth. The location is the main draw: the Victoria Tower rises directly above the northern end, so the park offers a quiet corner right beside one of London's best-known landmarks.

What can you see in the park?

The gardens are best known for their monuments, which turn a short walk into a small open-air history lesson.

• The Burghers of Calais. This sculpture group by Auguste Rodin depicts the 1347 siege of Calais. The Royal Parks interprets it as a symbol of freedom from oppression. Historic England dates its installation here to 1914, although the wartime years meant a formal unveiling was skipped.
• The Buxton Memorial Fountain. A Victorian Gothic-style monument from the 1860s, designed by S. S. Teulon. It was first set up in Parliament Square and later moved to the gardens. It commemorates the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.
• The Emmeline Pankhurst statue. A memorial to the suffragette leader, unveiled in 1930 by Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin. The sculptor was A. G. Walker.

According to Historic England, the layout was altered under a scheme agreed in 1955 and carried out in 1956. The Burghers of Calais and the Pankhurst statue were moved within the park, and the Buxton Memorial was installed there.

Is the park worth a visit?

Yes, especially if you are already near the Houses of Parliament. A visit takes little time: walk the riverside path, look at the three monuments and enjoy the view of the Thames. It works well as a pause between sightseeing in Westminster, or as a place to sit down away from the crowds around the Palace.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the park? On the Thames Embankment in the City of Westminster, between the Palace of Westminster and Lambeth Bridge.

What is the main sight? The monuments: Rodin's Burghers of Calais, the Buxton Memorial and the Pankhurst statue, all set against the Victoria Tower.

Is it a public park? Yes. It is a public park managed within the network of London's Royal Parks.

How long should I plan? Around half an hour is enough to walk the length of the gardens and see the monuments.