Mac Rating: 5.00 | Votes: 1 | Date: 20/06/2026 20:52:00

A grand crescent-fronted building on the South Bank of the Thames, County Hall stands directly opposite the Houses of Parliament and now houses a cluster of visitor attractions and hotels. Completed in the early twentieth century to a design by Ralph Knott, it was built as the headquarters of the London County Council and later served the Greater London Council until that body was abolished in the 1980s. Its Edwardian Baroque river frontage, with a sweeping curved colonnade, remains one of the landmark buildings along this stretch of the river. Since its days as a seat of government ended, the building has been given over to leisure and hospitality uses. It is home to several family attractions, among them the Sea Life London Aquarium in the former basement, the London Dungeon and Shrek's Adventure. Two hotels operate within the building, alongside restaurants and event spaces that make use of its grand interiors. Its position beside Westminster Bridge places it next to the London Eye and within easy reach of the South Bank's wider run of galleries and theatres. The combination of a historic seat of London government and a row of modern attractions makes it a busy fixture on the riverside. Many of the building's grand riverside rooms enjoy direct views across the Thames to Parliament and Big Ben, a backdrop that has made it a sought-after setting for events and dining. Its conference and banqueting spaces, panelled in oak and lit by tall windows, are still used for functions alongside the attractions and hotels. Sitting at the foot of Westminster Bridge and beside the London Eye, it is one of the most accessible points on the South Bank, well served by Underground and rail at nearby Waterloo. The mix of a historic seat of London government and a row of modern attractions keeps it among the busier stops on the South Bank.