The back story
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The back story
Westminster and St James’s: the back story
The abbey, the Houses of Parliament, the palaces and parks, and the clubs and old shops of St James’s.
Neighbourhood guide · royal and political London
Westminster & St James’s: Our Favourites
Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and the Royal Parks, with the grand hotels and historic shops of St James’s.
What's onThis week in London
What to see and do
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Coronation church since 1066
Westminster Abbey
The great Gothic abbey church where English and British monarchs have been crowned since 1066, and where many are buried.
20 Dean’s Yard, SW1P 3PAExplore View on map
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The Palace of Westminster
Houses of Parliament
The Palace of Westminster, home of the House of Commons and House of Lords, with Westminster Hall and the Elizabeth Tower, home of Big Ben.
Palace of Westminster, SW1A 0AAExplore View on map
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The State Rooms in summer
Buckingham Palace
The London residence and office of the monarch, whose State Rooms open to visitors in summer, with Changing the Guard in the forecourt.
Buckingham Palace, SW1A 1AAExplore View on map
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Churchill’s wartime bunker
Churchill War Rooms
The underground rooms where Winston Churchill and his government directed the Second World War, preserved as they were left, with a museum of Churchill’s life.
King Charles Street, SW1A 2AQExplore View on map
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Nelson’s Column
Trafalgar Square
The great square at the heart of London, with Nelson’s Column, four bronze lions, fountains and the National Gallery along one side.
Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DNExplore View on map
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The mounted sentries
Horse Guards and the Household Cavalry Museum
The Household Cavalry’s headquarters on Whitehall, with mounted sentries, a museum and Horse Guards Parade behind.
Horse Guards, Whitehall, SW1A 2AXExplore View on map
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Rubens’s painted ceiling
Banqueting House
The only surviving building of the Palace of Whitehall, designed by Inigo Jones, with a ceiling painted by Rubens.
Whitehall, SW1A 2ERExplore View on map
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European masterpieces
The National Gallery
One of the world’s great collections of European painting, from the 13th to the early 20th century, on Trafalgar Square.
Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DNExplore View on map
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Faces of British history
National Portrait Gallery
A gallery of portraits of famous Britons, from the Tudors to today, beside the National Gallery.
St Martin’s Place, WC2H 0HEExplore View on map
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British art since 1500
Tate Britain
The national gallery of British art from 1500 to today, on the Thames at Millbank, with the largest collection of Turner’s work.
Millbank, SW1P 4RGExplore View on map
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The oldest Royal Park
St James’s Park
The oldest of London’s Royal Parks, with a lake, pelicans and views to Buckingham Palace from the Blue Bridge.
St James’s ParkExplore View on map
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Lawns and plane trees
The Green Park
A peaceful Royal Park of lawns and mature trees between Piccadilly and Buckingham Palace, with deckchairs in summer.
The Green ParkExplore View on map
Where to eat
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Two MICHELIN stars
The Ritz Restaurant
The gilded Louis XVI dining room of The Ritz, holding two stars in the MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2026; jacket and tie required.
150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BRExplore View on map
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Since 1742
Wiltons
A traditional St James’s restaurant, founded in 1742 as a shellfish stall, serving oysters, fish and game.
55 Jermyn Street, SW1Y 6LXExplore View on map
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A grand café on Piccadilly
The Wolseley
A grand European-style café on Piccadilly, in a former car showroom, serving from breakfast to dinner.
160 Piccadilly, W1J 9EBExplore View on map
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Tea at Fortnum’s
Fortnum’s afternoon tea at The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon
Fortnum & Mason’s elegant tea salon on the fourth floor of its Piccadilly store, serving afternoon tea.
181 Piccadilly, W1A 1ERExplore View on map
Bars and nightlife
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Martinis, Fleming-style
Dukes Bar
A small, discreet bar in Dukes London, famous for its strong Martinis mixed from a trolley, and linked to Ian Fleming.
35 St James’s Place, SW1A 1NYExplore View on map
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Art Deco at the Ritz
The Rivoli Bar at The Ritz
The Ritz’s small, jewel-box Art Deco bar, inspired by the Orient Express.
150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BRExplore View on map
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Est. 1890
Gordon’s Wine Bar
A candlelit wine bar in vaulted cellars by Embankment station, established in 1890, with a large terrace.
47 Villiers Street, WC2N 6NEExplore View on map
Shopping
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Piccadilly’s grand grocer
Fortnum & Mason
The grand Piccadilly store, founded in 1707, famous for tea, hampers, biscuits and its clock with the figures of Mr Fortnum and Mr Mason.
181 Piccadilly, W1A 1ERExplore View on map
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London’s oldest bookshop
Hatchards
London’s oldest surviving bookshop, founded on Piccadilly in 1797, with creaking floors and signed editions.
187 Piccadilly, W1J 9LEExplore View on map
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Shirtmakers and gentlemen’s outfitters
Jermyn Street
A St James’s street famous for shirtmakers, shoemakers, cheese, perfume and gentlemen’s outfitters.
Jermyn Street, SW1YExplore View on map
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Wine merchants since 1698
Berry Bros. & Rudd
Britain’s oldest wine and spirits merchant, trading from the same St James’s Street shop since 1698.
3 St James’s Street, SW1A 1EGExplore View on map
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Hatters since 1676
Lock & Co. Hatters
A historic hat shop on St James’s Street, in business since 1676, which made the first bowler hat.
6 St James’s StreetExplore View on map
Where to stay
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Piccadilly since 1906
The Ritz London
César Ritz’s grand hotel on Piccadilly, opened in 1906, famous for afternoon tea in the Palm Court.
150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BRExplore View on map
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A quiet St James’s address
The Stafford London
A discreet luxury hotel on a quiet cul-de-sac in St James’s, with a famous American Bar and historic wine cellars.
16-18 St James’s Place, SW1A 1NJExplore View on map
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Home of the Dukes Martini
Dukes London
A boutique hotel in a quiet St James’s courtyard, home to the famous Dukes Bar.
35 St James’s Place, SW1A 1NYExplore View on map
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Near Buckingham Palace
The Goring
A family-owned luxury hotel near Buckingham Palace, opened in 1910, with a large private garden and a celebrated dining room.
15 Beeston Place, SW1W 0JWExplore View on map
Share your Westminster & St James’s tips
Been there? Share your experience and tips with other visitors.
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