Like any big train station located in the middle of a bustling city, the area around London's Victoria station isn't the most salubrious of places. But there are nevertheless several spots worth your time, including an historic building, a new(ish) shopping centre, a roof garden and a lovely little pub.
The historic building comes in the form of a cathedral -
Westminster Cathedral. With everyone rushing off to marvel at Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral can be missed by many.
Built at the beginning of last century, the cathedral is the main Catholic church of England and Wales and can be found a couple of minutes' walk from the train station, along Victoria Street.
It's free to enter, and of course, you don't have to be religious to enjoy its interior, as stunning as it is peaceful.
For those who like a view, make your way to the cathedral's
Tower Viewing Gallery, which offers a wonderful panorama from 64 metres (210 feet) up.
Following the cathedral, cross Victoria Street and enter
Cardinal Place shopping centre. Before exploring the plethora of retail outlets, grab a drink from one of the coffee shops there and make your way up the escalator to
the roof garden. It's not high enough to get a view, but it's a nice spot to take a break and enjoy a drink and chat with friends.
All done? Time to hit the shops - you'll find the likes of Topshop, Marks & Spencer, Monsoon, Zara and The North Face among the centre's 100,000 square feet of retail space. The complex is also home to the
SW1 Gallery, which you might like to visit.
To finish off your afternoon in Victoria, walk around the back of Cardinal Place into Palace Street, where you'll find the excellent
Cask & Glass pub.
Owned by Britain's oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame, the small pub offers a modest menu of toasted sandwiches together with a wide range of drinks.
