Tourists on Westminster Bridge, London, on a sunny day
© Andrew Thomas

Westminster area guide

Find the best things to do and see in central London with our guide to Westminster’s best attractions, pubs, hotels, restaurants and tours

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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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The best bits of Westminster

Restaurants in Westminster

Cinnamon Club
Restaurants

Cinnamon Club

  • 4 out of 5 stars

There’s a gentleman’s club feel to this grand, Grade II-listed Victorian building. 

Regency Café
Restaurants

Regency Café

  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4

Behind its black-tiled art deco exterior, this classic caff has operated on the quiet Westminster/Pimlico borders since 1946. 

Cellarium
Restaurants

Cellarium

Cellarium is useful in an area that’s a desert for decent places to eat.

Quirinale
Restaurants

Quirinale

  • 3 out of 5 stars

This part of town is the epicentre of the civil service and Quirinale is busiest at lunchtime, when you’re likely to overhear diners discussing the...

The best hotels in Westminster

Bars and pubs in Westminster

Dukes Bar
Bars and pubs

Dukes Bar

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 3 of 4

Dukes is one of London’s true classic bars.

Golden Lion
Bars and pubs

Golden Lion

  • 3 out of 5 stars

Set opposite Christie’s auction house, this august Nicholson’s hostelry cannot fail to attract a discerning suit-and-tie clientele.

The Speaker
Bars and pubs

The Speaker

  • 3 out of 5 stars

This is a real pub. No big screen. No music. No fruit machines. 

The perfect weekend in Westminster

Eat: Cinnamon Club
Restaurants

Eat: Cinnamon Club

  • 4 out of 5 stars

A fine-dining menu of updated rustic and regal pan-Indian dishes. 

More things to do in Westminster

Jewel Tower
Attractions

Jewel Tower

One of only two buildings from the medieval Palace of Westminster.