Westminster and St James's

Come walk amongst royalty in this regal borough

Noteworthy for: The Queen, London’s most famous resident, draws visitors crowding round the gate to her main abode for a glimpse.
Word to the wise: Visit on a Sunday when the 12th century Mall is closed to traffic, and the royal chapels are open to the public.

Rarely visited by Londoners themselves, this area draws tourists for the big guns of London attractions: Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben.
Ever since the 11th century, when Edward the Confessor moved into his newly built Palace of Westminster - now the Houses of Parliament - this has been the hub of royal, ecclesiastical and political power. Although there is little atmospheric street life, all the sights are in a half-mile radius and can be seen in a day.

The Royal family relocated to St James's in the 16th century, and the aristocratic residences surrounding Green Park are some of the most exclusive in London, the most notable being Buckingham Palace.

Hyde Park, once the hunting ground of Henry VIII, now offers an expansive green reprieve from the city chaos. The days of gentleman’s clubs and dressing-for-dinner still thrive in this part of town.