Parliament Square

Tout proche du palais de Westminster, juste en face de Big Ben, Parliament Square est une place offrant un point de vue général de ces deux bâtiments.
Les statues d’une dizaine d’hommes politiques sont installées en son centre, notamment Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela et Abraham Lincoln parmi les plus réputés.
A cet endroit, il est pas rare de voir plusieurs personnes manifestés pour leurs causes diverses, à grands renforts de pancartes.

I did not see any protesting nor any tents of protest either. Weird to see a statue of Lincoln to tell you the truth. I guess I arrived at a time of no conflict? I see how though that it is a central spot to be surrounded by many of the buildings important to London proper

Interesting to see the tents still there
in a constant silent vigil opposing war
opposite the Houses of Parliament
even since Brian Haw’s death (the 1^st
to come & squat here)

A voir! Pourquoi? car c’est un lieu emblématique des protestations!
Il y a toujours des manifestants, des campeurs, des grèves de la faim et j’en passé.

I suppose its a good thing that the British public can mess around here with no fear of draconian actions. But I do wish they wouldn’t set up horrible shanty towns. It makes the whole place look a total tip right where it was intended to the most showy and impressive. It doesn’t even seem to advance the causes, if you hear people talking about the protesters as you walk by they are saying a lot but its all «bloody idiots messing up the traffic «or similar.

As the 2012 Olympics approaches (423 days left according to the official conutdown clock in Trafalgar Square yesterday), the government are surreptitiously planning to pass a byelaw to clear the protesters from Parliament Square for the Games next year.
Parliament Square is the picturesque square opposite the House of Parliament in Westminster. If you pass it, you will see a collection of tents and many banners protesting issues from the Iraq War to the recent squabble over public sector pensions. One of the protesters, Brian Haw has become a bit of a celebrity, having been there continuously since June 2001, protesting the legality of the Iraq War.
While the protesters may be spoiling some of the beautiful scenic shots for the many tourists who visit this part of London, I can think of no better advertisement for our brand of democracy, free speech and right to peacful protests.
At a time when we are hypocritically trying to lecture other nations about human rights and freedom of speech, the clandestine use of the Olympics as an excuse to deny peaceful protest outside our seat of government is at best convenient for our politicians and at worst sinister with echoes of some of the behaviour of less tolerant regimes that our government are trying to lecture.
I don’t agree with all the causes being protested but I certainly back their right to do so.

The central place of our democracy-​it is here that Londoner are allowed to engage with the world. Currently their are Tamil protestors, in addition to the resident Iraq prostestor. The lawn is starting to look a little worse for wear-​i suppose no more than the current politicans. So if you want to grab a plaque and join a cause but bear in mind that when it is this hot in London– me on the bus for longer than necessary will not endure your cause to me!

always busy and crowded. It also has a guy standing out protesting the wor in iraq. Not a great place to hang out i would say.

Parliament square is the most British of all London. Surrounded by the house of parliament and big Ben and Westminster cathedral on the other. It is at the base of Whitehall which amongst other things houses downing street and the changing of the guard.
The square itself houses a bunch of tents which have been there since 2001 in protest against the Iraq war as the government cant seem to get them moved.

A beautifully kept square — especially now they’ve moved on the majority of the protesters.
Surrounded by historic building on the outside (Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Portcullis House) and dotted around the inside with statues of British and World historical figures.
The Churchill statue is the most photographed and takes pride of place alongside Lloyd George and other former Prime Ministers — Disraeli, Palmerston & Peel.
International statues include Lincoln & Mandela.
As already remarked, the traffic here is lethal and getting onto the main square is an effort in itself! Once there, it’s a nice place to relax for a bit and some good photo opportunites abound — particularly a spot at the front right of the square where you can get a shot of Big Ben and the London Eye in the same picture.

I’ll have to echo NW3liberal here. This is a truly great place for a bit of sightseeing. Parliament Square is a beautifully well kept green square in the centre of Westminster with statues of famous Brits dotted around the place and views of Big Ben, the House of Parliament and Westminster Abbey and Portcullis House amongst others.
Look out for TV crews filming here as it’s a favoured spot for interviews and reporting after big political events.
It really is a great spot to start a sight seeing tour — though in classic London fashion the lovely green square and surrounding buildings are separated by busy busy roads as London’s traffic attempts to crawl to its destinations. Now this would be a good place to do a Trafalgar Square and close of some of the routescan’t see it happening though as London would probably grind to halt.

Surrounded by the Palace of Westminster (housing the Houses of Commons and the Lords), St Margaret’s, Westminster Abbey, Portcullis House, and the Middlesex Guild, Parliament Square is one of London’s most famous landmarks. The space itself is unremarkable but there are many famous statues arranged around it. Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, Benjamin Disraeli, Viscount Palmerston, Robert Peel can all be found here.
Parliament Square, along with the entrance to Downing Street, is a focus point for many political protesters including the anti-​Iraq war movement. From the square there are great views of Big Ben (chimes every quarter and strikes on the hour). Westminster Tube is located on Bridge street, just off the square.