Abingdon Street: A Historic Thoroughfare Beside Parliament
Abingdon Street is a short but historically significant street located in the City of Westminster, in central London. Running roughly 300 metres from Parliament Square in the north to Millbank in the south, it forms part of the ceremonial and political heart of the nation. On its eastern side, the street flanks the Palace of Westminster, while to the west lies the peaceful expanse of Victoria Tower Gardens, bordering the River Thames.
The street is named after the Abingdon family, specifically James Bertie, 1st Earl of Abingdon, whose family held land in this area during the 17th century. The title itself refers to the market town of Abingdon-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, but the connection to Westminster is through aristocratic estate ownership and historical development during the early modern period.
Abingdon Street is primarily institutional in character, being surrounded by government buildings and Parliamentary structures. It is neither residential nor heavily commercial; instead, it serves as a transitional space between major landmarks and as part of the ceremonial route used during state occasions. The street forms a key part of the Whitehall-Parliament-Millbank corridor and is often included in walking tours of central London.
Connecting Roads
- Parliament Square to the north
- Millbank at its southern end, leading towards Lambeth Bridge
Notable Sights and Buildings
- Victoria Tower: The southwestern tower of the Palace of Westminster, looming over the street, was completed in 1860 and once served as a grand entrance for royalty. It also houses the Parliamentary Archives.
- Buxton Memorial Fountain: Located in the adjacent Victoria Tower Gardens, this ornate Gothic monument commemorates the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.
- The Palace of Westminster (west façade): Along Abingdon Street, you walk beside the stone walls of one of the world's most iconic legislative buildings.
Map of Abingdon Street: A Historic Thoroughfare Beside Parliament
Painting of Abingdon Street (View full-size image here)