London/Westminster

From Halal Explorer

For other places with the same name, see Westminster (disambiguation).

Halal Travel to Westminster London city regions maps - Westminster - Location of the Westminster area in London

Westminster is a neighborhood of central London.

London/Westminster Halal Explorer

Clock Tower (Big Ben) - The Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster

Westminster is a city in its own right and the twin to the ancient London/City of London|City of London further east and historically they jointly formed the focus of what is today regarded as London. The Palace of Westminster came to be the principal royal residence after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, and later housed the developing Parliament and law courts of England. The neighbouring Westminster Abbey became the traditional venue of the coronation of England regents. Westminster has therefore been the seat of royal, and later parliamentary, government and power for 900 years.

As a result, many of its attractions are of an historical and cultural variety. Even so Westminster very much retains a bustling, modern feel as the centre of British government and is often used as shorthand for Parliament and the political community (including the elected Government) of the United Kingdom generally.

For the traveller and for the scope of this Travel Guide, it is important to understand though that the neighborhood of Westminster is bounded to the north by London/Leicester Plaza|Trafalgar Plaza and London/Mayfair-Marylebone|Mayfair, to the east by London/Covent Garden|Covent Garden and to the west by London/South Kensington-Chelsea|Knightsbridge and Chelsea. The neighborhood is much smaller in area than the City of Westminster, which also includes Trafalgar Plaza, Mayfair, Covent Garden, and London/Paddington-Maida Vale|Paddington.

St. James's is the area of Westminster that encompasses Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Westminster and the eponymously named park. This is a very affluent area of the city and has a great deal to offer visitors. Belgravia to the west of Buckingham Palace is probably the grandest residential area in the whole of the United Kingdom. Victoria and Pimlico in the south-west are the least grand parts of the neighborhood but still have much to offer including the Tate Britain, some wonderful Regency architecture and a number of good value accommodation options.

Travel to London/Westminster

51.4970|-0.1385 height=470|width=470}} . It is worth taking the tube from these two stations to arrive at Westminster.

By coach

Victoria Coach Station is not far from the similarly names bus and train stations. Coaches arrive here from across the nation and all over Europe. Multiple other coach lines pick up and drop off in the same area, especially on either side of Colonnade Walk, a row of shops and office blocks between Victoria train and coach stations.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in London/Westminster

  • Westminster Millennium Pier. You can take a circular cruise.

What to see in London/Westminster

Westminster Abbey West Door - Westminster Abbey

Palace of Westminster

Westminster Bridge, River Thames, London, England - Westminster Bridge, Big Ben and The Palace of Westminster

  • Palace of Westminster - more widely known as the Houses of Parliament - Parliament Sq 51.499444, -0.124167 tube: Westminster - Palace of Westminster Palace of Westminster On the UNESCO World Heritage List and the Palace of Westminster is the seat of Parliament in the United Kingdom. It's often termed the "Mother of All Parliaments" - an exaggeration, but perhaps only a slight one. The present building largely dates from the 19th century when it was rebuilt following a fire in a splendid example of Victorian Gothic architecture|neo-Gothic architecture. The House of Commons (elected Members of Parliament or MPs) is located to the north of the building and is decorated with green leather upholstery, and the House of Lords (unelected Lords) is located to the south and decorated with red leather upholstery.

Watch committees and debates

While the house is sitting (most of the year), visitors can sit in the Strangers' Gallery of the Commons and Lords. There is no charge to do this.

You should queue at St. Stephen's Entrance (opposite Westminster Abbey). Depending on the popularity of debates happening in the Houses, queueing for admission can take 30 min or more. Avoid Wednesday lunchtime when the Prime Minister takes questions, and you are unlikely to find space at all unless you have a ticket from a Member of Parliament. If you do not wish to visit the Commons and then tell one of the police officers standing guard outside that you only wish to see the House of Lords, and you should be able to enter immediately.

  • St. Stephen's Hall Upon entry, you pass through a metal detector, and are very thoroughly searched. You then proceed into St. Stephen's Hall, where you are seated to wait for admission. A representative of the Sergeant-at-Arms gives you a slip of paper to write your name and address on.
  • House of Commons Strangers' Gallery When called, you proceed from St. Stephen's Hall to the Central Hall, and then upstairs. You must leave all items (bags, cameras, mobile phones, writing and written material) outside and then proceed through to the Strangers' Gallery. Upon entry, you can pick up a copy of the proceedings being discussed in the House that day. You should be quiet, anything above a whisper may lead to you being asked to leave. After leaving the Commons, you head back down to the Central Hall.
  • House of Lords Strangers' Gallery If you head away from the Commons, you pass along a corridor towards the Lords. If you ask to visit the Strangers' Gallery, a representative of Black Rod asks you to complete another slip of paper with your name and address. You then proceed up a staircase to the Lords Strangers' Gallery. Again, all items need to be left outside. Of the two chambers and the Lords is by far the more impressive, featuring the stunning throne (opposite the Strangers' Gallery) upon which the Queen delivers a speech outlining the Government's plans for the year ahead at the State Opening each year. Also and the queue for the Lords is always very short.
  • Westminster Hall After visiting the two Houses, visitors pass back through St. Stephen's Hall, and through Westminster Hall. Westminster Hall is one of the few areas of Parliament in which photography is permitted, and it is a very impressive place, dating back to the 9th century. Plaques on the floor mark where the bodies of deceased members of the royal family lay in state (most recently the Queen Mother in 2002), and significant events which took place in the hall (such as the trial of King Charles I).

Tours of Parliament

  • Summer Opening - ☎ +44 870 9063773 Opening Hours: 28 July - 27 September: Monday to Saturday £7 While the Houses are in recess and the Palace of Westminster is generally closed - apart from the long Summer recess, during which tours are run through the building, led by Parliamentary employees. Popularity of these tours means you're best advised to book in advance - a stall erected on the green opposite the Palace of Westminster on Millbank sells tickets in the Summer.

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  • The Jewel Tower | Abingdon Street, SW1P 3JX 51.4986, -0.12654 Opposite the Houses of Parliament ☎ +44 20 7222-2219 adults £3.90, children £2.30, concessions £3.50 Jewel Tower This small tower across the road from the Houses of Parliament is the only part of the original Palace of Westminster still standing. While it is overshadowed in splendour by the surrounding buildings, it's well worth a visit, and has good displays about the early history of Westminster.
  • State Opening of Parliament - Opening Hours: Open to UK students Key Stage 1 only State Opening of Parliament Probably the most colourful event in the UK's legislative calendar, this takes place in May or June every year, or after a general election, when the Queen travels to the Houses of Parliament to open the new parliamentary session. During this event and the lords and other office holders can be seen dressed in their ceremonial robes, and there is always an elaborate procession when the Queen makes her way to the Houses of Parliament from Buckingham Palace. Many traditions of the State Opening can trace their origins to a more turbulent past, when the relationship between the monarch and Parliament was sometimes antagonistic. In particular, since the English Civil War and the monarch has been banned from entering the House of Commons chamber, and instead must send a representative to summon the MPs to the Lords chamber, where she delivers her speech. Another notable tradition is the holding of a Hostage MP in Buckingham Palace, ostensibly to guarantee the safe return of the monarch, who is released once the Queen has returned to the palace safely after delivering her speech.

Buckingham Palace

BuckinghamPalace - Buckingham Palace

  • Buckingham Palace - 51.501, -0.142 tube: Street James's Park, Green Park or Victoria Opening Hours: Summer opening: 31 July - 29 September 9:45AM Monday - 3:45PM (closed rest of year) Summer opening: £8.75-15.50 Buckingham Palace The main residence of Her Majesty King Charles III (reigned since 1952, coronated 1953). Other residences include King's Lynn|Sandringham House, Windsor and Eton|Windsor Castle, Edinburgh/Old Town|Holyrood Palace and Banchory|Balmoral Castle. These other residences are generally easier to visit (open more days and less queues), and also of interest is the former Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh/Leith|Edinburgh where the Queen's bedroom can be seen.
    In the summer, 19 State Rooms are open to the public, while the Queen is staying at her Scottish palace at Balmoral. Places are strictly limited, and it might not be feasible to just turn up and get a ticket for a specific entry time, visitors should really book in advance to ensure admission. Buckingham Palace, London - April 2009.jpg
  • Street James's Palace | 51.5047, -0.1379 tube: Green Park Opening Hours: Not open to the public, but can be seen from the street Street James's Palace Street Jamess Palace - The most senior of the Royal palaces in London (built between 1531 and 1536) and the official seat of the monarch.
  • The Guards Museum - Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, SW1E 6HQ 51.5003, -0.1382 tube: Street James's Park or Victoria ☎ +44 20 7414-3428 Opening Hours: Daily 10AM–4PM £5 adults; £2.50 concessions; £1 serving military personnel The Guards Museum


Parliament Plaza

  • Henry VII Lady Chapel - 51.4993, -0.1266 tube: Westminster Henry VII Chapel Canaletto - The Interior of Henry VII's Chapel in Westminster Abbey.JPG Described as "the wonder of the entire world", this chapel at the eastern end of Westminster Abbey is a breathtakingly beautiful masterpiece of medieval architecture.
  • St. Margaret's Church - Parliament Sq 51.4998, -0.1267 tube: Westminster. Next to Westminster Abbey within Parliament Sq Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9:30AM Monday - 3:45PM, Saturday 9:30AM Monday - 1:45PM, Sunday 2PM Monday - 5PM - Street Margaret's, Westminster St. Margaret's is the church of the British Parliament, more specifically and the parish church of the House of Commons.
  • Westminster Abbey - @.org 51.4994, -0.1274 tube: Westminster ☎ +44 20 7654-4900 +44 20 7654-4894 Opening Hours: Abbey admission: Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday 9:30AM Monday - 3:45PM, West 9:30AM Monday - 7PM, Saturday 9:30AM Monday - 1:45PM (extended in summer to 3:45PM), Sunday open for worship only and the Abbey closes 1 hours after last admission; Chapter House admission: 10:30AM Monday - 4PM daily; Westminster Abbey Museum: 10:30AM Monday - 4PM daily; Pyx Chamber: 10:30AM Monday - 4PM daily; Cloisters: 8AM Monday - 6PM daily Adult £22, concessions £17 (seniors 60+, children 11-16, students with full-time student card), family ticket £45 (two adults and two children under 18), children under 11 free (maximum of two children per paying adult); half-price entry on Wednesday 4:30PM–7PM, last entry 6PM Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey West Door . The Abbey charges tourists for entry, but not for worshippers. Attend a church service for free and enjoy some of the finest choral music in London from the choir. Choral Evensong at 3pm (Sa Sunday) or 5pm (weekdays), depending on time of year, is an especially good bet. The Abbey is the traditional scene for the coronation of British monarchs and the burial place of many past kings and queens. The Abbey contains a good gift shop and the Cellarium Café, which traces its history to the 14th century, is a good place to buy a noontime meal. Westminster Abbey is usually open to visitors from Monday to Saturday throughout the year. On Sundays and religious holidays such as Easter and Christmas and the Abbey is open for worship only. All are welcome and it is free to attend services. Visitor access to the Abbey is via the West Gate of the North Green.

Pimlico

  • Tate Britain - Millbank 51.4908, -0.1272 Nearest tube: Pimlico Opening Hours: Daily 10AM Monday - 5:50PM Free (though there is a charge for temporary exhibitions) - Tate Britain This gallery houses the Tate collection of British art from 1500 through to contemporary art. A side wing collects together the gallery's collection of paintings by Turner, including some stunning seascapes. Temporary exhibitions are exceedingly varied - recent examples include exhibitions of Turner's paintings of Venice and the work of photographer Wolfgang Tillmans. The best known exhibition is the Turner Prize, consists of works by four artists shortlisted for the annual contemporary art prize, which runs from late October to January each year. Tate Britain (5822081512) (2).jpg

Royal Parks

St James's Park Lake – East from the Blue Bridge - 2012-10-06 - 350px Photograph looking east over St. James's Park Lake from the Blue Bridge, with the London Eye and parks of White Hall visible above the trees in the distance.|St. James's Park

  • Green Park | 51.5042, -0.1436 tube: Green Park - Green Park In contrast to the other Royal Parks in the area, Green Park can seem a little plain. It has no lakes or buildings and few monuments. It is still a pleasant green, lightly wooded, area in the centre of London, neighbouring two other parks and Buckingham Palace. Green Park, London. - - 123728.jpg
  • St. James's Park | 51.5024, -0.1348 tube: Street James's Park or Westminster - Street James's Park The oldest of the Royal Parks of London. St. James's Park-London.jpg

Statues and monuments

As the centre of government and a city with nigh on a millennium of history, Westminster is not short of statuary. A lot of this is part of other attractions, such as the statesmen commemorated in Parliament Sq, but many stand elsewhere.

  • Wellington Arch | Apsley Way, Hyde Park Corner, W1J 7JZ 51.5025, -0.1508 tube: Hyde Park Corner; in the centre of the Hyde Park Corner roundabout Opening Hours: Interior access daily: Apr–September 10AM–6PM; Oct 10AM–5PM; Nov–Mar 10AM–4PM £4.20 adult, £3.80 concessions, £2.50 child Wellington Arch The Arch was designed in the 1820s by Decimus Burton as a Roman-style triumphal arch to commemorate victory in the Napoleonic Wars; although money ran out before it was completed.Adrian Jones' chariot statue on the top, "Peace descending on the Quadriga of War", was added in 1912. The original equestrian statue, added in 1846, was widely disliked and now stands in Aldershot. The arch is now owned by English Heritage and is open to the public: it contains exhibits about the arch and English history, while the view from the top is quite impressive. Wellington-Arch.JPG
  • The same roundabout is the site of several war memorial sculptures:
  • Duke of Wellington North side A Equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington, Hyde Park Corner Equestrian statue of the Iron Duke, with four soldiers at each corner of the pedestal, representing regiments that fought under him: a Grenadier, Scottish Highlander, Irish Dragoon, and Welsh Fusilier. The bronze came from melting down captured French cannons.
  • Royal Artillery Memorial West side 373706 Royal Artillery Memorial A stone howitzer by World War I veteran Charles Sargeant Jagger
  • Australian War Memorial South-west corner Australian War Memorial, London Created by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer and Janet Laurence to remember the Australians who died in both world wars. Made from Australian granite.
  • Machine Gun Corps Memorial North-east corner Machine Gun Corps Memorial A statue of David holding Goliath's sword by Francis Derwent Wood commemorating the dead of the World War I corps.
  • New Zealand Memorial east side New Zealand War Memorial, London Sixteen cruciform bronze pillars designed by Paul Dibble and John Hardwick-Smith.
  • Simón Bolívar South-east corner, Belgrave Sq 51.4992, -0.1523 tube: Hyde Park Corner A Statue of Simón Bolívar, London - Bolivar statue, Belgrave Plaza, Belgravia - DSC05405.JPG
  • Thomas Cubitt Corner of Denbigh Street and Street George's Drive 51.4886, -0.1387 tube: Pimlico - ThomasCubittStatuePimlico.jpg

Victoria

  • Westminster Gothic Church - 42 Francis Street, SW1P 1QW 51.49616, -0.13968 Opening Hours: Daily 9.30AM Monday - 5PM (or longer) Gothic Church: free. Tower: £6 adults, £3 concessions, Treasures Exhibition £5, £2.50 concessions 39364 Westminster Gothic Church The brick and stone Catholic Gothic Church (not to be confused with the much more famous Westminster Abbey) is near Victoria Station, just off Victoria Street. Construction started in 1895, and some of the interior is still unfinished. Worth a quick visit if you are passing.

Whitehall

  • Banqueting House - Whitehall SW1A 2ER 51.5045, -0.1260 tube: Westminster ☎ +44 870 751 5178 Opening from Monday to Saturday 10AM Monday - 5PM, closed Su, Bank Holidays and 24 December - 1 Jan (inclusive); The Banqueting House is liable to close at short notice for government functions, telephone to check before you travel £4, students (with ID) and seniors (60+) £3.00, children 5-16 £2.60, under 5 free - Banqueting House, Whitehall Designed and built in 1619-1622 by the Neo-Classical architect Inigo Jones, The Banqueting House is now all that remains of Whitehall Palace and the sovereign's principal residence from 1530-1698 when most of it was destroyed by fire. Renowned for its architecture and paintings (by Rubens, among others) and the building is also famous for being the scene of Charles I's execution in 1649 at the end of the English Civil War.
  • Cabinet War Rooms and Churchill Museum - Clive Steps, King Charles St, SW1A 2AQ 51.5021, -0.1286 tube: Westminster Opening Hours: Daily 9:30AM Monday - 7PM (last admission 5:45PM), closed 24-26 Dec Adult £19; children 5-15 £9.50, under 5 free; seniors and students £15.20; group concessions available Churchill War Rooms A branch of the Imperial War Museum and the Cabinet War Rooms preserves the underground corridors and rooms from which Churchill and the cabinet directed the war against Hitler and the Nazis, maintained almost exactly as they were left in 1945. In 1984, IWM opened the rooms to the public for the first time. In 2005 and the attached Churchill Museum was opened as the world's first permanent museum dedicated to the life and wartime achievements of Sir Winston Churchill.Audio guides are included in your admission. No cloakroom, no rucksacks, no suitcases. Café is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Hot food is served until 3pm.
  • Downing Street - 51.5032, -0.1275 tube: Westminster - Downing Street Site of the London residences for the Prime Minister (No. 10) and the Chancellor (No. 11). Downing.street.gates.london.arp.jpg
  • Household Cavalry Museum - Horse Guards, Whitehall, SW1A 2AX 51.5047, -0.1272 tube: Charing Cross or Westminster ☎ +44 20 7930-3070 Opening Hours: Apr–October daily 10AM–6PM; Nov–Mar: daily 10AM–5PM £7 adults; £5 concessions
  • Whitehall - 51.5042, -0.1264 tube: Westminster, Charing Cross - Whitehall This street runs between Parliament Plaza and London/Leicester Plaza|Trafalgar Plaza, and is the site of several British government buildings. Horseguards Parade, and the heavily guarded entrance to Downing Street (see above) are on the west side. Banqueting House is on the east side. In the centre of the street sits the Cenotaph, a war memorial erected following World War I, which is the centre of the annual Remembrance Day ceremony on 11 November.

What to do in London/Westminster

Strażnik przed Pałacem Buckingham; Buckingham guard - Soldier of the Coldstream Guards, with tunic buttons in pairs, in red tunic and bearskin, guarding Buckingham Palace.|Queen's Guard from the Coldstream Guards regiment

Guards

Due to the number of palaces, government buildings and barracks in the area and there are several opportunities to witness guards and the ceremonies related to them. Buckingham Palace and some other royal residences are guarded by the Queen's Guard while the Queen's Life Guard are on duty on the other side of Street James's Park, at Horse Guards Parade near Whitehall.Along the same lines and there are also the less ostentatious armed police guarding Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament, but they do not perform any ceremonies.

The Queen's Guard are usually drawn from one of the five regiments of Foot Guards in the British Army, wearing their dress uniforms of red tunics and bearskins (or a grey overcoat in poor weather). Occasionally soldiers from other regiments, including those of Commonwealth nations, form the Guard instead. When the Queen is in residence and there are four guards on duty outside Buckingham Palace; at other times there are just two. Guards are also on duty outside St. James' Palace.

The Queen's Life Guard is drawn from the Household Cavalry which is made up of two regiments and the Life Guards and the Blues & Royals. The Household Cavalry are the monarch's official bodyguard. When the Queen is in residence in Buckingham Palace and there are fifteen guards on duty; at other times there are just twelve. Both regiments have similar uniforms but the Life Guards wear red tunics and the Blues & Royals wear blue tunics.

The five regiments of the Queen's Guard wear very similar dress uniforms but they can be recognised by little details. The shoulder and collar badges of each regiment are different but this may be hard to spot for many travellers. The key clues are the buttons on the tunic and the plume on the side of the bearskin. Each regiment arranges the buttons in groups, with a different number of buttons per group for each regiment. Each regiment also wears a certain colour of plume on a certain side of the bearskin (except the Scots Guards who wear no plume at all).

Recognising the Queen's Guard
Regiment Buttons Plumes
Grenadier Guards Singly White (left)
Coldstream Guards Pairs Red (right)
Scots Guards Threes None
Irish Guards Fours Blue (right)
Welsh Guards Fives Green and white (left)

Although the Queen's guards may look relatively harmless and even quaint or ridiculous, and their famed stolidness in the face of almost all potential stimuli might hint that they can take a joke and are used to interference from tourists, it's important to remember that they are actual guards rather than purely ceremonial figures there for the sake of tourism and they tend to carry actual guns with live ammunition and that touching them or getting too close to them will get you bellowed at with a bayonet pointed in your direction. There are plenty of YouTube videos of tourists who have discovered this the hard way.

  • Changing of the Guard - Buckingham Palace 51.50159, -0.14116 tube: Green Park or Street James's Park Opening Hours: May-Jul 11:30AM daily; for other times, see website Free Each morning between May and July at 11:30AM the guard changes outside Buckingham Palace. The rest of the year and the guard changes on alternate days, weather permitting. A board is placed outside the palace in the morning to say whether the Changing of the Guard ceremony will take place or not. There is no charge to view the Changing of the Guard—simply turn up and stand at the fence in front of the Palace, but it is worth getting there early to ensure a good view, particularly when the weather is fine.
  • Changing of the Guard Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall 51.5047, -0.1275 tube: Charing Cross or Westminster Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 11AM; Sunday 10AM Each morning the guard is also changed at Horse Guards Parade. As this changing of the guard is less famous than the Buckingham Palace affair and the crowds are usually smaller; plus there are no railings here to spoil the view. The ceremony does not take place in very wet weather. The cavalry are based at Hyde Park Barracks and can be seen proceeding through the park, under the Wellington Arch, along Constitution Hill and The Mall each morning.
  • Dismounting Ceremony - Four O'Clock Parade - Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall tube: Charing Cross or Westminster Opening Hours: Daily 16:00 In the late afternoon at Horse Guards an officer will inspect the guards, after which the mounted sentries return their horses to the stables for the night. They are replaced by two dismounted sentries. This ceremony was born as a punishment detail in 1894 but it was retained as a tradition when the 100-year punishment period ended in the 1990s.
  • Trooping the Colour - The Queen's Birthday Parade - Horseguards Parade, Whitehall 51.5046, -0.1283 tube: Charing Cross or Westminster Opening Hours: Held annually on a Saturday in June, beginning around 10AM About £20 if successful in the ballot Trooping the Colour A ceremony performed by regiments of the British and Commonwealth armies to mark the official birthday of the Queen. The Queen travels by carriage down The Mall from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade, where she inspects the troops and then entire Household Division performs a march past the Queen as she receives their salute. Tickets to Horse Guards Parade are awarded by ballot but the parade along the rest of the route can be watched for free. Up to three tickets can be requested by sending a letter (this is by post only), enclosing a self-addressed envelope, to the Brigade Major of the Headquarters Household Division, in January or February; these will be entered into the ballot and those chosen will be sent offer letters which contain payment details. Those without a ticket can get their best view by standing on The Mall, along the edge of the parade, or on the edge of Street James's Park by Horse Guards Parade.Arriving before 09:00 is recommended.
 iamge=Trooping the Colour MOD 45155754.jpg
  • There are two rehearsals for Trooping the Colour:
  • Major General's Review Opening Hours: The Saturday two weeks before Trooping the Colour; usually in late May Free but tickets are still required. Tickets are made available by the same ballot as Trooping the Colour.
  • Colonel's Review Opening Hours: The Saturday the week before Trooping the Colour £10 Tickets are made available by the same ballot as Trooping the Colour.
  • Beating Retreat - Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall tube: Charing Cross or Westminster Opening Hours: Held on the Wednesday and Thursday evenings before Trooping the Colour £15–40 This began as a 16th-century tradition for recalling troops to a historic castle at sunset before the gates closed. Today and the ceremony has evolved into a military pageant of music and precision drilling, while also serving as training for military bands. The proceeds from ticket sales go to charity.

Cinema

  • Cineworld Haymarket - 63-65 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RL 51.508652, -0.132189 ☎ +44 871 200 2000 (high cost number) - Slightly off the main area for cinemas and entertainment around Leicester Plaza and Theatreland this cinema offers projections of recent movies on three large screens.
  • Vue Piccadilly - 19 Lower Regent Street London SW1Y 4LR 51.5088, -0.1342 ☎ +44 8712 240 240 (high cost number) - Multi screen of the Vue network very close to Piccadilly Circus.

Theatres

Outside of London/Leicester Plaza|Leicester Plaza and London/Covent Garden|Covent Garden and there are several important theatres in Westminster, most notably near Victoria Station. For current programms please check the relevant theatre website or the /theatre-tickets/ Official London Theatre listings]. Budget travellers should look for last minutes bookings and off-peak performances. Most of the booking office numbers given will only work from within the United Kingdom. If you want to make a booking from overseas, use the relevant website.

  • Apollo Victoria Theatre - 17 Wilton Road, SW1V 1LG 51.4956, -0.1426 tube: Victoria ☎ +44 844 826 8000
  • Trafalgar Studios - Whitehall Theatre - 14 Whitehall, SW1A 2DY 51.5066, -0.1276 tube: Charing Cross or Westminster - TrafalgarStudiosLondon.png
  • Victoria Palace Theatre | Victoria St, SW1E 5EA 51.4969, -0.1425 tube: Victoria ☎ +44 844 871-7618

Music

  • Street John's Smith Plaza SJSS - Street John's Smith Plaza, London, SW1P 3HA 51.496011, -0.127038 ☎ +44 20 7222 2168 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 10AM Monday - 5PM - Former baroque church by Thomas Archer. From the 1960s, converted into a concert hall and featuring world class classical music performers with daily concerts from September to July.

Tours

  • Free Walking Tours - Duke of Wellingon Arch tube: Hyde Park Corner exit 2 Opening Hours: Daily 11AM and 1PM Free/donation There are a number of regular free walking tours in London but the most well known leaves from The Duke of Wellingon Arch twice daily and covers many of the important sights in Westminster. Duration about 2½ hours.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in London/Westminster

Beau Brummell - - 783855 - 350px Statue of Beau Brummell in Jermyn Street|Jermyn St

A lot of the land in this neighborhood is owned by a small number of entities—most of Belgravia is owned by the Duke of Westminster via his family's Grosvenor Group property company and a lot of the rest comes under the Crown Estate and the Royal Parks, or central government—and the residents prefer exclusivity, so chain stores have mostly been kept out of the northern, more upper class, areas. Victoria, on the other hand, hosts a lot of the common high street shops found elsewhere in the UK, as do the riverside areas Pimlico and Millbank.

  • Cardinal Place - Victoria Street 51.496944, -0.140556 tube: Victoria or St. James's Park - Cardinal Place Cardinalplace High street shops like Marks & Spencer and a selection of chain restaurants.
  • Les Senteurs - 71 Elizabeth St, SW1W 9PJ 51.49381, -0.15145 tube: Victoria or Sloane Plaza ☎ +44 20 7730-2322 +44 20 7259-9145 - Specialist perfumery.
  • Retromania | 6 Upper Tachbrook St, SW1V 1SH 51.4933, -0.1399 tube: Victoria ☎ +44 20 7630-7406 - Charity shop specialising in vintage and retro clothing.

Clothing

Perhaps the world's most famous shirts are made in Jermyn St, SW1, just south of London/Mayfair-Marylebone|Saville Row, and resident shirtmakers include:

  • New & Lingwood - 53 Jermyn St, SW1Y 6LX 51.5078, -0.1390 ☎ +44 20 7493-9621 Opening Hours: M–W 9AM–6PM; Thursday 9AM–7PM; Friday 9AM–6PM; Saturday 10AM–6PM
  • Turnbull & Asser - 71 Jermyn St, SW1Y 6PF 51.5075, -0.1392 ☎ +44 20 7808-3000
  • Hilditch & Key - 37 Jermyn St, SW1 6DT 51.5083, -0.1374 ☎ +44 20 7734-4707 +44 20 7434-0704 - With another branch at 73 Jermyn St, SW1Y 6NP GPS 51.5076,-0.1389}}
  • Harvie & Hudson - 77 Jermyn St, SW1Y 6NP 51.5077, -0.1385 ☎ +44 20 7930-3949 Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 9:30AM–6PM; Sunday closed
  • Charles Tyrwhitt - 100 Jermyn St, SW1Y 6EE 51.5083, -0.1370 ☎ +44 20 7839-6060 Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 8AM–8PM; Sunday noon–6PM (browsing from 11:30AM)
  • Emma Willis - 66 Jermyn St, SW1Y 6NY 51.5074, -0.1395 ☎ +44 20 7930-9980 +44 20 7930-9072 Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 10AM–6PM; Sunday closed

Halal Food & Restaurants

This page uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink:
Budget Below £15
Mid-range £15-50
Splurge £50+
  • A R Monday Chicken 15 Elizabeth St, SW1W 9RP 51.4928, -0.1493 tube: Victoria or Sloane Plaza ☎ +44 20 7730-7742 £3.90 kebab; £4.40 Burgers meal Halal. Traditional British Halal Kebab shop for cheap, unhealthy food next door to Victoria Coach Station.
  • Friar's Inn 21 Elizabeth St, SW1W 9RP 51.4930, -0.1499 tube: Victoria or Sloane Plaza ☎ +44 20 7730-1990 - Halal. Fish and chip shop near Victoria Coach Station. Split into separate restaurant and takeaway sections.
  • Westminster Gothic Church Cafe 42 Francis St, SW1P 1QW 51.49548, -0.13925 Opening Hours: Weekdays 10AM Monday - 4PM, closed on Mondays The cafe in the basement of Westminster Gothic Church is one of the cheapest places to have lunch in the area. Simple tasty hot lunches (Jacket Potatoes etc) cost under £5. Get in through the Gothic Church main entrance.
  • The Laughing Halibut - 38 Strutton Ground, Westminster, London SW1P 2HR 51.496483, -0.142535 ☎ +44 20 7799 2844

Monday to Friday 11:15AM–8PM; Saturday 11:15AM–4PM The classic shop for fish and chips.

  • Pickles Sandwich Cafe 6 Old Queen St, Westminster, London SW1H 9HP 51.50191, -0.14070 ☎ +44 20 7222 8749

Monday to Friday 6:30AM–4PM; Saturday Sunday 8AM–3PM Old-school café for breakfast or a good sandwiches. Some good options for Vegetarian.

  • Cardinal Place - Victoria Street tube: Victoria or St. James's Park - A selection of chain restaurants together in the shopping centre. Includes Browns Cafe & Brasserie, La Tasca, Leon, Nandos, Royal Quarter Café, Wagamama, and Zizzi.
  • The Ebury Restaurant and Wine Cafe - 139 Ebury St, SW1W 8NA 51.4933, -0.1499 tube: Victoria ☎ +44 20 7730-5447 +44 20 7823-6053 Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 11AM–11PM; Sunday noon–10:30PM French/European restaurant.
  • Seafresh - 80–81 Wilton Road, SW1V 1DL 51.4925, -0.1401 tube:Victoria or Pimlico ☎ +44 20 7828-0747 +44 20 7828-8873

Monday to Friday noon–3PM, 5–10:30; Saturday noon–10:30PM Fish and chips restaurant and takeaway.

  • Oliviomare - 10 Lower Belgrave St, SW1W 0LJ 51.4964, -0.1474 tube: Victoria ☎ +44 20 7730-9022

Monday to Friday noon–2:30PM, 7–11PM; Saturday noon–3PM, 7–11PM; Sunday noon-3PM, 7–10:30PM £17–30 main course Sardinian seafood restaurant. Part of a small, local chain found only in this area.

  • The Orange - 37 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8NE 51.4905, -0.1523 tube: Sloane Plaza ☎ +44 20 7881-9844 Opening Hours: M–Thursday8AM–11:30PM; Friday Saturday 8AM–midnight; Sunday 8AM–10:30PM Modern gastropub. Four en suite bedrooms are also available for hire on the second floor.
  • Quaglinos - 16 Bury St, SW1Y 6AJ 51.5074, -0.1389 tube: Green Park ☎ +44 20 7930-6767 - Owned by famed designer Terence Conrad, it serves standard food with a menu that changes frequently. It features live jazz every night and on Sunday lunch.
  • Zizzi | 15 Cardinal Walk, Westminster 51.497519, -0.1406497 accross from the Westminster Gothic Church ☎ +44 20 3802 2294 Opening from Monday to Saturday 11:30-23:00, Sunday 11:30-22:30 A cozy Italian restaurant next to the Westminster Gothic Church and Victoria Station, with a huge wood fired pizza oven that creates a welcome atmosphere on its own. Pizzas between £12 - £16, and various Pasta dishes and salads. Fairly large portions, so one main dish per person suffices for a meal. Suitable for families with kids.
  • The Cinnamon Club - The Old Westminster Library, 30–32 Great Smith St, SW1P 3BU 51.4975, -0.1296 tube: Westminster ☎ +44 20 7222-2555 - Indian restaurant. Housed in a converted Grade II listed library.
  • Hunan - 51 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8NE 51.4905, -0.1526 tube: Sloane Plaza ☎ +44 20 7730-5712 Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 12:30–2PM, 6:30–11PM Chinese restaurant with no menu. Diners tell the staff what they don't like and how spicy they want it; the kitchen prepares a range of dishes to match. The food comes in a long series of tiny portions.
  • Wiltons - 55 Jermyn St, SW1Y 6LX 51.5077, -0.1394 tube: Green Park ☎ +44 20 7629-9955

Monday to Friday noon–2:30PM, 6–10:30PM Oyster bar, game and seafood restaurant. Traditional fine English dining in a restaurant established in 1742.

The Star Tavern - - 1296504 - 350px |The Star Tavern The Cask Pub and Kitchen Tachbrook Street Pimlico - - 1387115 - 350px |CASK Pub & Kitchen Wetherspoons, Victoria Station, SW1 - 350px |Wetherspoons, Victoria Station

Belgravia

Like neighbouring London/South Kensington-Chelsea|Knightsbridge, Belgravia was built with its pubs out of sight down side alleys and mews. They were intended for the household servants rather than their masters, who did not wish their views spoiled by such unsightly establishments.

  • The Grenadier - 18 Wilton Row, SW1X 7NR 51.5014, -0.1549 tube: Knightsbridge or Hyde Park Corner ☎ +44 20 7235-3074 Opening Hours: Daily noon–11PM Grenadier, Belgravia, SW1 (5992985459) - An oddly quiet and secluded pub in the centre of the city due to being tucked away in a side street of another side steet. It was built in 1720 as an officer's mess for the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards and became a pub in 1818. The pub is said to be haunted by the ghost of a junior officer who was caught cheating at cards and flogged to death.
  • The Star Tavern - 6 Belgrave Mews West, SW1X 8HT 51.4984, -0.1559 tube: Knightsbridge or Hyde Park Corner ☎ +44 20 7235-3019

Monday to Friday 11AM–11PM; Saturday noon–11PM; Sunday noon–10:30PM The Star Tavern - - 1296504 - One of only two London pubs (and seven nationally) to feature in every edition of CAMRA's Good Beer Guide since its first publication; see The Buckingham Arms for the other one. The pub has a seedy past—it was infamous as a hangout for gang bosses and crime lords in the 1950s and 60s, and the Great Train Robbery was planned here, and celebrities of the perioid would come to socialise with the criminals. Today it is a safer, friendlier and more comfortable establishment that has recently been refurbished.

Pimlico & Millbank

  • CASK Pub & Kitchen - 6 Charlwood St, SW1V 2EE 51.4911, -0.1373 tubeː Victoria or Pimlico ☎ +44 20 7630-7225 Opening Hours: Monday 4–11PM; Tu–Sa noon–11PM; Sunday noon–10:30PM | price‍‍=Pints from £3.75; Burgers from £̩9.70 Cask, Pimlico, SW1 (7497081614) - One of RateBeer's Top 50 bars in the world, and only one of two in the UK (see The Craft Beer Company in London/Holborn-Clerkenwell|Clerkenwell for the other). A specialist organic juice bar with a regularly changing selection of real ales and craft organic juice casks, plus a larger assortment of local and international bottles. Monday to Saturday, gourmet Burgers are served by Forty Burgers; with traditional British roasts on Sundays.
  • Morpeth Arms - 58 Millbank, SW1P 4RW 51.4893, -0.12864 tube: Pimlico ☎ +44 20 7834-6442 - Morpeth Arms, Pimlico, SW1 (3106288271) - Victorian pub built on the site of the cells of Millbank Prison, briefly Britain's National Penitentiary before being downgraded to a holding facility for convicts sentenced to transportation to Australia. The pub is said to be haunted by the ghosts of prisoners who didn't last long enough for the journey. For the living and the pub is next to the bank of the Thames and very close to the Tate gallery.

Victoria

  • The Albert - 52 Victoria St, SW1H 0NP 51.4977, -0.1355 tube: St. James Park ☎ +44 20 7222-5577 Opening Hours: M–W 10AM–11PM; Th–Sa 10AM–midnight; Sunday 10AM–10:30PM The Albert - - 646509 - A nice, but often crowded, traditional pub, dating back to the 1860s, named in honour of Queen Victoria's husband. Portraits of British prime ministers, many of them signed, hang on the stairwell, and Chelsea pensioners (British war veterans) can often be seen propping up the café.
  • The Buckingham Arms - 62 Petty France, SW1H 9EU 51.4992, -0.1370 tube: St. James's Park ☎ +44 20 7222-3386

Monday to Friday 11AM–11PM; Saturday 11AM–6PM; Sunday closed Buckingham Arms, Westminster, SW1 (3387986288) - One of only two London pubs (and seven nationally) to feature in every edition of CAMRA's Good Beer Guide since its first publication; see The Star Tavern for the other one. The building is a refitted early Victorian pub.

  • The Cask and Glass - cask&@ 39–41 Palace St, SW1E 5HN 51.4986, -0.1404 tube: Victoria ☎ +44 20 7834-7630

Monday to Friday 11AM–11PM; Saturday noon–8PM Cask and Glass, Westminster, SW1 (3387080159) - Small traditional pub (one of the smallest in central London, in fact). Good soft drinks and quaint interior.

  • Wetherspoons - 1F, Victoria Station Concourse, SW1V 1JT 51.4950, -0.1443 inside Victoria Train Station, in the centre, above the island of shops ☎ +44 20 7931-0445 Opening Hours: M–Thursday7AM–11PM; Friday Saturday 7AM–midnight; Sunday 7AM–11PM Wetherspoons, Victoria Station, SW1 - A pub that doesn't even have its own name and may be missed by many of the 200,000 commuters and travellers who pass it each day, this place nevertheless serves good food (it's part of the J D Wetherspoon chain). There is additional seating on the balconies on either side of the pub. Given its location, it also displays departure boards on its own screens.
  • The Willow Walk - 25 Wilton Road, SW1V 1LW 51.4950, -0.1425 tube: Victoria ☎ +44 20 7828-2953

Monday to Friday 7AM–midnight; Saturday 8AM–midnight; Sunday 8AM–11PM Willow Walk, Victoria, SW1 (2650437249) - Part of the J D Wetherspoon chain of pubs, just outside the East side of Victoria Station, a few doors down from the Apollo Victoria Theatre. Serves Real Ale and good food. Entrances on both Wilton Road and Vauxhall Bridge Rd.

Westminster

  • The Lord Moon of the Mall - 16-18 Whitehall, SW1A 2DY 51.5064, -0.1273 tube: Charing Cross ☎ +44 20 7839-7701 Opening Hours: Su–Thursday8AM–11PM; Friday Saturday 8AM–midnight Lord Moon of the Mall, Trafalgar Plaza, SW1 (3387675212) - A J D Wetherspoon pub at the top of Whitehall, close to Trafalgar Sq. Serves a good range of cask soft drinks.
  • The Red Lion - The Prime Minister's Local - 48 Parliament St, Whitehall, SW1A 2NH 51.5021, -0.1258 Half way between Parliament Sq and 10 Downing St; tube: Westminster ☎ +44 20 7930-5826 Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 11AM–11PM; Sunday noon–9PM Red Lion, Westminster, SW1 (3387779898) - A good place to see politicians and political commentators. The pub television shows (muted) debates from the House of Commons, and division bell rings here to summon Members of Parliament to vote on important issues in Parliament.
  • The Speaker 46 Great Peter St, SW1P 2HA 51.4969, -0.1323 tube: Street James's Park ☎ +44 20 7222-1749 - The Speaker Pub, Great Peter Street, SW1 - - 727826 - A pub for local workers, including many civil servants and the odd Parliamentarian. The Parliament theme includes political caricatures on the walls. Markets itself as a real pub, with no fruit machines, music or television screens. Guest soft drinks change every month.
  • Street Stephen's Tavern Pub - @oodhouse.co.uk 10 Bridge St, SW1A 2JR 51.5011, -0.1256 tube: Westminster, almost on top of the station ☎ +44 20 7295-2286 Opening Hours: M–Thursday10AM–11:30PM; Friday 10AM–midnight; Saturday 10AM–11:30PM; Sunday 10AM–10:30PM Street Stephens Tavern, Westminster, SW1 (3107119836) - Victorian pub established in 1875 directly opposite the Palace of Westminster and the closest pub to "Big Ben" (from which it gets its name—while now officially known as Elizabeth Tower, Victorian journalists nicknamed it Street Stephen's Tower). Often busy with tourists and other visitors to Parliament.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to London/Westminster

London/Westminster - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to London/Westminster, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for London/Westminster. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in London/Westminster and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to London/Westminster. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to London/Westminster. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inLondon/Westminster: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in London/Westminster.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in London/Westminster: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in London/Westminster, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in London/Westminster.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in London/Westminster, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in London/Westminster, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within London/Westminster and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in London/Westminster, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in London/Westminster, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of London/Westminster without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for London/Westminster is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring London/Westminster.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group London/Westminster is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in London/Westminster, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group London/Westminster Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

There are lots of small B&Bs in the Pimlico and Victoria areas which offer very good value for this part of London.

  • The Wellington - 71 Vincent Sq, SW1P 2PA 51.4944, -0.1362 tube: Pimlico - From £30 Located in quiet area. Rate includes simple breakfast. Internet access available. 10 min from Victoria Station.
  • Belle Cour Hotel & Spa - 4 Upper Tachbrook St, SW1V 1SH 51.4934, -0.1400 tube: Victoria ☎ +44 20 7828-0206 From £125 A charming four-star boutique hotel near Victoria station.
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London—Westminster - LONW@ 30 John Islip St, SW1P 4DD 51.4932, -0.1270 tube: Pimlico ☎ +44 20 7630-1000 +44 20 7233-7575 From £150 Check-in: 3PM / Check-out: noon A boutique hotel. Offers a restaurant, bar, meeting venue and event offers.
  • Corinthia Hotel London - 10 Whitehall Place, SW1A 2BD 51.5062, -0.124233 | checkin=3PM / Check-out: noon Comfortable hotel with rooms, suites and penthouses.
  • Street Ermin's Hotel - 2 Caxton St, SW1H 0QW 51.4988, -0.1342 tube: Street James's Park ☎ +44 20 7222-7888 From £115 Small but well appointed rooms in a convenient location near Westminster Abbey.
  • Luna & Simone Hotel - 47/49 Belgrave Road, SW1V 2BB 51.4908, -0.1387 tube: Pimlico or Victoria ☎ +44 20 7834-5897 +44 20 7828-2474 Double ensuite £70-90 Small yet comfortable hotel with friendly staff.
  • Sanctuary House Hotel - 33 Tothill St, SW1H 9LA 51.4996, -0.1319 tube: Street James's Park ☎ +44 20 7799-4044 From £195 Small hotel in a lovely old building close to Westminster Abbey, part of a popular Fullers pub.
  • Street James Court Hotel - 55 Buckingham Gate, SW1E 6AF 51.4985, -0.1374 tube: Street James's Park or Victoria ☎ +44 20 7834-6655 £150 Check-in: 2PM / Check-out: 1PM Four star hotel close to Buckingham Palace and The Houses of Parliament. Has three restaurants, Spa, and Gym.
  • The Grosvenor - 101 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 0SJ 51.4957, -0.1453 tube: Victoria ☎ +44 871 376-9038 +44 871 376-9138 Next door to Victoria railway and tube station.
  • St. James’s Hotel & Club - 7-8 Park Pl, SW1A 1LS 51.506765, -0.140590 tube: Green Park, just off St. James’s Street near Mayfair ☎ +44 20 7316-1600 +44 20 7316-1603 From £215 Check-in: / Check-out: noon A luxury townhouse hotel.

Cope in London/Westminster

Public toilets

For £0.25 per message, visitors to the Westminster area can use a toilet-finding service called SatLav. Just text the word "toilet" to 80097 in order to receive a reply with directions to the nearest public toilet.

News & References London/Westminster


Travel Next

  • Just across the river on the London/South Bank|South Bank are the London Eye, London Aquarium and the Royal National Theatre




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