London area of Westminster guide

What to do and where to stay in London's Westminster neighbourhood

The area of Westminster is dominated by the business of government, and the great symbols of British greatness. The Houses of Parliament, with its mighty bell Big Ben that can be heard throughout Central London chiming the hours, is a far more imposing building than Buckingham Palace, reflecting the power of the oldest elected government in the world. In the early twentieth century more than a quarter of the earth’s population was directly ruled from Westminster, and the imposing statuary and huge ministries of Whitehall reflect this legacy. At the top of Whitehall, Trafalgar Square and Nelson’s Column are considered the heart of the nation - and a large proportion of hotels are concentrated here - while British monarchs have been crowned in the imposing Gothic edifice of Westminster Abbey since 1066. The National Gallery is the repository of Britain’s best international art collection while Tate Britain, in the attractive riverside area of Millbank, has the best permanent exhibition of British Art in the world.

See our recommended nearby Westminster Hotels, Events, Entertainment, Sights and Attractions, Shopping, Restaurants, Pubs, Nightlife, Leisure, Education, and Meeting Venues.

St Ermins Hotel London
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
2 Caxton Street, SW1H
A listed Victorian building, this hotel has kept the old English charm beautifully intact while offering guests comfortable rooms and efficient Italian service. It’s located in ... More

 

 

Grange Rochester Hotel London
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
69 Vincent Square, SW1P
The Grange Rochester is situated in Westminster's peaceful Vincent Square, within walking distance of some of London's most notable landmarks. With 80 en-suite rooms spread across ... More

 

 

The Rubens at the Palace
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
39 Buckingham Palace Road London, SW1W0PS
This is as close to Buckingham Palace as you can get. It’s also nearby Victoria station which is not quite as glamorous but very convenient. There ... More

 

 

Hotels in Westminster

 

Turner Inspired: In The Light Of Claude
London > Events > Exhibitions
National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London WC2N
When Turner left the National Gallery two paintings - Dido building Carthage and Sun rising through Vapour - it was on the condition ... More

 

 

Events in Westminster

 

St John's Smith Square
London > Entertainment > Classical Music
Smith Square, London, Westminster, London SW1P
This stunning 18th century church was designed by architect Thomas Archer and now is a venue for concerts, art exhibitions and a restaurant. With its four ... More

 

 

Westminster Cathedral
London > Entertainment > Classical Music
42 Francis Street, London, Westminster, London SW1P
Neo-Byzantine Roman Catholic church. London’s only example of neo-Byzantine architecture and principal Roman Catholic Church, offers a magnificent campanile that emerges 274 feet into the sky. While ... More

 

 

Playhouse Theatre
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Northumberland Avenue, London, Westminster, London WC2N
A short step away from the main strip of West End theatres, the Playhouse's stylish curved facade is rather lost among the towering architecture of Charing ... More

 

 

Entertainment in Westminster

 

Central Hall Westminster
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
Storey's Gate, London, Westminster, London SW1H
Combining its dual functions as an event / conference venue and a Methodist church, the imposing Central Hall Westminster also offers visitors curious about exploring the ... More

 

 

Westminster Abbey
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
Dean's Yard, London, Westminster, London SW1P
Elizabeth I, Mary I, Mary II, Edward the Confessor, Edward I, Edward III, Edward VI, Henry III, Henry V, Henry VII, James I, George II, Richard ... More

 

 

Churchill War Rooms
London > Attractions > Museums
Clive Steps, King Charles Street, Westminster, London SW1A
Winston Churchill directed the troops during World War II from a small warren of underground rooms, which are now open to the public. Visitors to the ... More

 

 

Sights and Attractions in Westminster

 

Cardinal Place
London > Shopping > Shopping Centres
Victoria Street, Victoria, London, Westminster, London SW1E5JD
Cardinal Place is a snazzy new shopping venue in Victoria. Housed under a curvaceous, new-age glass capsule it has become a bit of a visual icon ... More

 

 

Shopping in Westminster

 

Pret A Manger
London > Restaurants > Cafes and Delis
49 Tothill Street, London, Westminster, London SW1H
Pret sells up market fast food, hand made from natural ingredients, to take away or eat on site, in its trademark no nonsense chrome interiors. The ... More

 

 

Starbucks
London > Restaurants > Cafes and Delis
27 Victoria Street, London, Westminster, London SW1H
The ubiquitous Seattle based coffee shop can unsurprisingly be found all over London. Thanks to its market saturation policy, branches resemble the Capital’s buses by always ... More

 

 

Pret A Manger
London > Restaurants > Cafes and Delis
75B Victoria Street, London, Westminster, London SW1H
Pret sells up market fast food, hand made from natural ingredients, to take away or eat on site, in its trademark no nonsense chrome interiors. The ... More

 

 

Restaurants in Westminster

 

Albert Tavern
London > Nightlife > Pubs
52 Victoria Street, London, Westminster, London SW1H
... More

 

 

Red Lion Pub
London > Nightlife > Pubs
48 Parliament Street, Whitehall, London, Westminster, London SW1A
Right across the street from the Houses of Parliament, the Red Lion is perfectly positioned for politicos to pop in for a pint after a heated ... More

 

 

The Reform Club
London > Nightlife > Pubs
104 Pall Mall, London, Westminster, London SW1Y
Located in the heart of London's traditional Clubland in Pall Mall, The Reform Club was founded in 1836 and was membership was initially restricted to those who ... More

 

 

Pubs in Westminster

 

Zander
London > Nightlife > Bars
Crowne Plaza London St James, 45 Buckingham Gate, Westminster, London SW1E
This part of Victoria is not renowned for its nightlife so the Zander bar would be something of a find if you were to stumble on ... More

 

 

Cask & Glass
London > Nightlife > Bars
39 - 41 Palace Street, London, Westminster, London SW1E
... More

 

 

Doon
London > Nightlife > Bars
Downstairs at Albannach, 66 Trafalgar Square, London, Westminster, London WC2N
Pop "Doonstairs" from Trafalgar Square's Scottish bar and restaurant Albannach and you will enter the world of Doon, a new cocktail lounge named after the river ... More

 

 

Nightlife in Westminster

 

Leisure in Westminster

 

Education in Westminster

 

The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre
London > Business > Venue Hire
Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, London, Westminster, London SW1P
Seven floors of purpose-built meeting space in the heart of London. The QEII prides itself on events organisation skills. They have an in-house team of audio-visual ... More

 

 

One Great George Street
London > Business > Venue Hire
1 Great George Street, London, Westminster, London SW1P
Conference facilities can accomodate for up to 1392 people.... More

 

 

Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms
London > Business > Venue Hire
King Charles Street, London, Westminster, London SW1A
... More

 

 

Meeting Venues in Westminster