Welcome to London x London’s Westminster Guide: your guide to the best bars, restaurants and things to do in this Central London neighbourhood.
Westminster sits on the north bank of the Thames in the City of Westminster, bordering St James’s, Pimlico and Victoria, with St James’s Park marking its western edge.
Built by Edward the Confessor to wrest power away from the City of London, Westminster has been the seat of political and royal power in London for close to a thousand years.
There is a lot more to it than history alone, and a few surprises make it worth far more than a fleeting visit.
Today Westminster is home to some of the city’s most recognisable landmarks: Big Ben (or the Elizabeth Tower, if you want to be precise), the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Whitehall all sit within a short walk of one another, each carrying centuries of political and royal history.
Beyond the obvious sights, the area rewards a slower pace. Quiet streets tucked behind the Abbey, grand government buildings and a handful of old pubs give Westminster a character that goes well beyond the postcard shots. It’s easy to tick off the big three and move on, but a slower amble past courtyards and centuries-old churches gives a fuller sense of the place, even with the crowds that gather nearby for the Changing of the Guard.
Political power, royal history and grand architecture
