Whitehall  

Facts and information

Address:
Whitehall, Westminster,
London SW1A
Buses:
3 11 12 24 29 53 87 88 91 159 453
Trains:
Charing Cross BKL NRN, Embankment BKL CRC DSC NRN, Leicester Square NRN PCL, Westminster CRC DSC JUB Note: The nearest train station to Whitehall is Westminster. We can help you find the best route from any other train station:
Train journey to Whitehall
London Whitehall, with the Cenotaph in the distance Looking south down Whitehall Iron gates outside No. 10 Downing Street No. 10 Downing Street, Whitehall View of Banqueting House from Whitehall Banqueting House, Whitehall

Share: | More

 

Whitehall runs from Parliament Square to Trafalgar Square. Most of the Government Ministries are housed along the street, and numerous London landmarks can be seen along the route.

History of Whitehall

Most people assume that Whitehall runs the entire distance between the squares, but it is actually two roads in one. The first third of the road – from Parliament Square to the Foreign Office – is called Parliament Street. This is a throwback to the 1680s, when the road ran around the outside of Whitehall Palace.

The Palace was acquired by Henry VIII in 1529 from property owned by Thomas Wolsey. It soon became the fulcrum of the monarchy with numerous gardens, orchards, chapels, tennis courts, and a tiltyard for jousting.

When James I came to the throne in 1603 he commissioned Inigo Jones to make improvements, and a huge collection of paintings was added by Charles I. But by 1689 the building had fallen out of favour, and William III moved his residence to Kensington. Nine years later the Palace burnt down to the ground.

Downing Street, and Horse Guards Parade

Downing Street is blocked off by a large iron gate these days, but you might be lucky enough to see a fleet of blacked-out limos heading south to Parliament Square.

Be sure to walk through Horse Guards Parade. The guards are famous around town for never moving a muscle – even when you try and make them smile. You will be sure to see some spotty kids goofing around their feet, trying to make them blink.

Horse Guards was built on the site of the old Palace tiltyard – used for jousting in the time of Henry VIII. It is surrounded by statues of Lord Kitchener (Your country needs you!), and Lord Mountbatten (who was murdered by the IRA).

Banqueting House, and the Cenotaph

Banqueting House is the only surviving part of Whitehall Palace. It was built by Inigo Jones in the early 17th-century, and was truly unique – Britain’s first Renaissance building.

The House is famous for a rather gory death. When the English Civil War was ended in the mid 17th-century, Charles Iwas put to death outside the balcony. A special service is still held annually to commemorate the execution.

The Cenotaph is the large grey monolith that stands in the middle of Whitehall. It was originally built to mark the dead of World War I, but it has grown to encompass every Commonwealth battle since 1918.

A steady stream of veterans march past the monument on the Remembrance Day Parade.

 
Visit Shop
 
  
Give feedback on itineraries Visit Speaker’s Corner  –  Ask questions, and chat with others in our London Chat Forum
londiniumerHyde Park Corner/Near Marble Arch/soap box orators
I wondered, do people still gather there to listen or speak about different topics, and what appears to interest those peo...
adriel35How many people in London like football(not american...
There are many people who like football in London. soccer is quite well-known here within, many football clubs here. As oth...
ian meyerFantastic views, from the top of The Shard
Has anyone been up to the top of the Shard yet? I wouldn't mind going but i'd have to take my kid with me, and fifty pounds...
GrannyRoarsTower of London -- Your questions and reviews
Despite having an, at the time, undiagnosed fractured Talus Dome (ankle bone), I was determined to see The Tower. I went th...
 YouTube Channel Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook  Buy London Pass  Buy Oyster cardsVisit Shop  RSS feed
Homepage
Search this site
Save money on attractions with London Pass

Follow Drummerboy’s trip around London, as he
visits every attraction
London Drummerboy’s blog

Bookmark your favourite London places with your personalised trip planner

Pick of the best shows coming up in London…

Site map | Contact us | About London Drum | Privacy / Terms | Cookies
Copyright © 2013 London Drum. All rights reserved.

Events in London

> Whats on guide
> Whats on in June
17181920212223
24252627282930
> Events in July
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031    
> Events in August
   1234
567891011

Stage Musicals

  1. Charlie An.. From May ‘13
  2. Burn The F.. From Mar ‘13
  3. Top Hat From Apr ‘12
  4. Ruthie Hen.. From Aug ‘13

Theatre shows

  1. Color Purp.. From July ‘13
  2. Much Ado A.. From Sep ‘13
  3. Cripple Of.. From June ‘13
  4. Othello From May ‘13

Music concerts

  1. Jay Z 13th July ‘13
  2. Blue 22nd Oct ‘13
  3. Lionel Ric.. 14th July ‘13
  4. Fleetwood.. 24th Sep ‘13

Comedy gigs

  1. Richard He.. 8th Oct ‘13
  2. Stewart Lee 5th July ‘13
  3. Ardal O'Ha.. 30th July ‘13
  4. Jo Brand 17th Sep ‘13

Classical music

  1. La Rondine From July ‘13
  2. Stranglers From Aug ‘13
  3. Andre Rieu From Dec ‘13
  4. Jonathan A.. From June ‘13

Talks & lectures

  1. Pam Ayres 3rd Oct ‘13