Whitehall - London UK

Whitehall, including  Banqueting House, Churchill Museum, & the Houses of Parliament

Easy to locate and quite historic, Whitehall is an area that holds much of the past, present, and will hold much of the future as well. Whitehall is very easy to locate via the Tube; one simply must exit at Westminster. Locals as well as tourists will find the area rich with interesting and historic sights.

The name Whitehall originates from the Palace of Whitehall, which was home to royalty for many centuries until the palace was burned down by a devastating fire in 1698. Though the main palace was completely burned down, The Banqueting House that dates back to 1622 is still open to visitors today. The building is truly a remarkable site and pays homage to Italian Renaissance era. Many believe that the view of the Banqueting House is one of the most beautiful views from the street and they may be right. The inside of the Banqueting House is as spectacular as the outside with original paintings and decoration, antique furniture, and concerts for the public to enjoy.

Common Associations

Mention the name Whitehall and many think of the British government. The thought is not at all off base as the Houses of Parliament are not far away at all being on the end of the road that runs north from Parliament Square. But, Whitehall is not just synonymous with British Government. In fact, there is more along this famous route than the common associations with the Palace of Westminster, which is home to the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Downing Street is also located just off of Whitehall and is of course the location of the Prime Ministers official residence.

Sites to See in the Area

If visitors appreciate gardens at all, the Whitehall Gardens are a must see. The gardens are home to many sculptures, one of which is Gordon of Khartoum. The gardens are serene and beautiful. In addition, areas of the garden serve as a frame for areas of the now destroyed Palace of Whitehall, including the old wine cellars of the palace.

After visiting the Gardens, great places to stop along Whitehall are The Admiralty, the Ministry of Defense Buildings, as well as the Horse Guards Parade. If you visit in June you will enjoy the Trooping the Color ceremony, which is a celebration of the Queen’s Official Birthday.

If the military theme proves interesting, Trafalgar Square is a great place to visit. A visit to Trafalgar will allow visitors a peak at the statue of Lord Nelson, which is in the plaza and built to honor his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. The sculptures are very large and require binoculars to see the detail, which is quite impressive. The sculptures were designed by a very well known man by the name of Sir Edwin Landseer and these works are considered some of his best.

Many enjoy other sites such as the Cenotaph, which is a memorial dedicated to the lives lost in World War One. The site is that of an empty tomb and every November a beautiful ceremony is held to honor all of the fallen soldiers. The Royal ceremony is quite moving and most find it one of the more touching experiences along Whitehall.

New Things to See

Even if you have walked along Whitehall in the past, there are some recent changes that have taken place. Perhaps one of the most exciting is the Churchill Museum. In the museum visitors will be able to peruse the area that was used by Churchill during World War II to plan the next step in the war. Visitors find the completely restored Cabinet War Rooms very intriguing. Those that enter also have the chance to see Churchill’s private living quarters. The project has been a huge undertaking, and has cost more than 13 million pounds, or $24 million dollars.

When You Come to the End

Whitehall becomes Parliament Street at its end. It’s here that visitors to the area can visit Big Ben, or even view debates at the House of Commons or the House of Lords, which can be quite interesting. Of course, these things have to be scheduled, but are not opportunities that should be passed over if at all possible.