In our series of spotlighting some of the most popular neighbourhoods in London, within easy reach of Dolphin Square and Pimlico, we’re taking a look at a London borough famous for its important buildings, Royal coronations and best-known landmarks: Westminster.
With this guide, get to know this area of Central London in detail and discover why staying in serviced apartments near Westminster guarantees you access to one of the city’s most action-packed areas teeming with tourist goodies and fun. Let’s get started.
Westminster is located in the centre of the city, on the north shore of the Thames. This area is the heart of London in many ways, being home to our government and many of its key buildings such as the 1,100-year-old Westminster Abbey. This London borough is particularly renowned for its galleries and parks, as well as boasting stunning architecture wherever you look.
Away from the hustle, relaxing in St James Park is a must, especially during summer where rented pedalo boats can be enjoyed on the park’s lake. If sightseeing is your thing, grab your camera and immerse yourself in the thousands of years of history located on every street you turn, from Britain’s Tomb Of The Unknown Warrior to the world's oldest door.
A trip to Westminster is not complete without a visit to Buckingham Palace. As the London residence and administrative headquarters for the monarch of the United Kingdom, or in simpler terms, the Queen's official London residence, Buckingham Palace is the focus of Royal celebrations, one of London’s most sought-after sights.
Having taken in all the sights and wonders that come with the Royal Palace, a walk up The Mall will place you at the Horse Guards Parade, an important military headquarters and large parade ground off Whitehall that hosts annual ceremonies of Trooping the Colour. As a barracks and stables for the Household Cavalry, explore this attraction further with a trip to the Household Cavalry Museum.
Of course, and perhaps most famously, Westminster is known for being the home to Big Ben, a 16-story Gothic clocktower and national symbol of the Palace of Westminster in Central London. Big Ben is the nickname of the Great Bell that sits inside the sterling clock. Each year, the bells chime for important events such as New Year’s Eve and Remembrance Sunday.
Dining in a relaxed and friendly environment does not come any sweeter than a visit to The Ivy restaurant. With an all-encompassing menu that features international dishes alongside modern British classics, and fabulous decor that extends into the bathrooms, enjoy a sophisticated meal out in one of Westminster’s top restaurants.
In the heart of Westminster, flavoursome dishes offer the best authentic Sichuan cuisine at Ma La Sichuan, allowing your palate to explore each unique dish. Designed to excite and stimulate your senses, tuck into exquisite flavours and turn up the spice as you enjoy food and drink served by the friendly and attentive staff at Ma La Sichuan.
Indulge in prime cuts of Wagyu, feast on succulent fillet steaks, and complement your mains with rich truffle fries and a glass of champagne. At STK London Westminster, expect to be served only the best beef in the city. Dishes here are renowned for their tenderness, texture and juiciness.
A three-minute walk from Downing Street and located just a stone’s throw away from the River Thames, The Red Lion welcomes all to stop by and pick up their preferred refreshment of choice. After a busy afternoon in Westminster, nothing beats a pint and a packet of crisps while enjoying the traditional decor of this fine establishment.
Another real traditional London pub, The Buckingham Arms is nestled in the centre of Westminster and easily locatable for visitors wandering around this London borough. Serving up pub classics alongside a selection of six changing real London ales, beer tasting has never been so much fun.
As well as a sunny terrace, stylish bar and one of Central London’s most cosy dining areas, the Sunday roast is one of the many reasons why you need to visit The Loose Box. On Mondays, you can get a beer and burger for just £13, or every Monday to Wednesday enjoy 2 for 1 on cocktails (5-8 pm). Don’t forget to challenge your friends and family to a game or two on the shuffleboard.
We’re not lying when we tell you that the Borough of Westminster is home to over 80 parks and open spaces. And while it’s up to you to explore them all, here are our favourite picks. St James Park is a Grade I listed green space on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. The park which sits on the Mall and across from Buckingham Palace has a small lake, two islands, and offers visitors the opportunity to take in the array of water birds seen daily at this location; including pelicans.
To the North of Buckingham Palace sits Green park filled with tall trees and deck chairs. This peaceful triangle offers a quiet retreat from city life. The park is often used for Royal Gun Salutes to mark special Royal occasions. If you head over to the River Thames, between the Houses of Parliament, Millbank and Lambeth Bridge, you will find Victoria Tower Gardens, a small poker of green space that features a handful of memorials.
The London Underground is one of the city’s most accessible travel routes, with Westminster Tube Station providing direct links to other parts of Central London. Served by the Circle, Jubilee and District lines, a tube ride can have you arrive at your destination in a matter of minutes.
Synonymous for their black cabs, taxis offer a quick solution if you’re looking to jump a few blocks in all directions. They’re easy to flag down and can get you where you need to go, however, expect delays on the roads if you’re moving around the city in peak travel times. If you’ve hired a car for your trip, we suggest downloading one of the many Parking apps available for mobile. They’re great for highlighting areas in the city where parking fees are the cheapest. Also, remember to keep an eye out for congestion zones.
Throughout Westminster, plenty of bus routes operate allowing you to travel from the most easterly part of Westminster to the far reaches of the west. Most major bus routes have a station conveniently located near Victoria. Visit Transport for London to get full travel times and schedules.
Westminster is just a 15-minute walk from Dolphin Square in Pimlico, or a little shorter if you take the bus. The walk between the two neighbourhoods is worth a look, as it leads through some attractive historic streets.
At Dolphin Square, we’re proud to offer corporate lettings in Central London and just a moment's walk from Westminster itself. You can see how well suited Dolphin Square is as a base of operations for this area.
At Dolphin Square, we offer our tenants spacious and comfortable surroundings that feel like home, whether you’re staying three months or more. Close to zone 1 with plenty of transport links, and right across the road from Westminster, our serviced accommodation includes top-of-the-range amenities and facilities making them the perfect living solution for your corporate clients.
If business positions you with an upcoming trip to Westminster, you’re going to need a place to stay, somewhere that’s close and convenient to the area you’re visiting. For this reason, there’s no better choice than a Serviced Apartment at Dolphin Square in Pimlico, where you’ll find yourself right in the heart of all the action.
If you’re booking corporate accommodation in London for yourself or others in your organisation, our team are on standby to answer questions you may have about Dolphin Square, whether they be about the building, our apartments, the location, or the journey times to other nearby areas.