St Margaret's Church, Westminster
Religious Site Historic London parish church beside Westminster Abbey
Adjacent to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, St Margaret’s Church has medieval fabric and Tudor fittings and serves historically as the parish church of the House of Commons. Visitors combine it with Abbey and Palace tours.
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St Margaret’s Church, Westminster, is a historic parish church situated between Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster in central London. It has served as the parish church for the House of Commons and is part of the ensemble of buildings on Parliament Square.
The church’s interior and fittings reflect its medieval origins and later alterations; services, weddings and memorials continue to be held in the building. It is a Grade I listed building and lies within the Westminster UNESCO World Heritage Site buffer.
St Margaret’s developed as the parish church adjacent to the abbey and the royal and parliamentary precincts; over the centuries it has served the local parish and institutions connected to Parliament. The building has medieval roots with subsequent restorations and maintenance.
The church stands on Parliament Square in the City of Westminster, immediately adjacent to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament and within easy walking distance of central London transport links.
- Parliamentary links: Located in the grounds of the Palace of Westminster, historically associated with the Houses of Parliament and used for private and civic services.
How to Get to St Margaret's Church, Westminster #
St Margaret’s Church, Westminster, sits beside Westminster Abbey on Parliament Square in central London. Take the London Underground to Westminster station (Jubilee, District and Circle lines) - it is a very short walk across Parliament Square from the station exits. Several central London bus routes also stop on Parliament Square/Whitehall; the church is immediately adjacent to the Palace of Westminster.
Tips for Visiting St Margaret's Church, Westminster #
- Check the church's opening times and service schedule before going-St Margaret's is adjacent to Westminster Abbey and is sometimes closed for services or events, so the best quiet visiting windows are weekday mornings or early afternoons.
- Visit outside peak Abbey visiting hours (early morning or late afternoon) to experience the interior memorials and parliamentary ties with fewer crowds, and consider attending a short service or Evensong for a fuller sense of the building in use.
- Enter from the parliamentary/Abbey Green side to approach the church in context with Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament; many visitors focus only on the Abbey and miss the church's historic memorials.
Best Time to Visit St Margaret's Church, Westminster #
For a quieter visit to St Margaret's Church, go on a weekday morning outside peak tourist months and major religious holidays.
Weather & Climate near St Margaret's Church, Westminster #
St Margaret's Church, Westminster's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (632 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 63 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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