Westminster area guide

Westminster is home to iconic London landmarks like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, which sit proudly on the edge of the Thames. Despite being catnip for visitors, much of this stretch of central London – the ministries that line Whitehall as well as the heavily guarded, security-gated Downing Street – is strictly off-limits. But there is still plenty to do and see around Westminster. As well as tours of these famous sites, there’s St James’s Park, which is essentially the Queen’s front garden. Between The Mall and Piccadilly also lies the genteel neighbourhood of St James’s, characterised by luxury hotels and some of London’s oldest shops.

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