Francis Street, London
Francis Street is located in the heart of Westminster, Central London, within the City of Westminster. It connects Howick Place at its northern end to Vauxhall Bridge Road at the south.
This residential and mixed-use street sits just a short walk southwest of Victoria Station and near key Westminster institutions. It forms a spine through the Westminster Cathedral precinct and is surrounded by charming cross streets and alleyways.
Francis Street intersects or forms T-junctions with several smaller roads including:
- Ambrosden Avenue
- Carlisle Place
- Emery Hill Street
- Greencoat Row
- King’s Scholars’ Passage
- Morpeth Terrace
- Stillington Street
- Thirleby Road
- Willow Place
How Long Is Francis Street?
Francis Street measures approximately 380 metres (1,250 feet) in length. Though modest in scale, it is a key connector within Westminster’s street network, threading through an area with rich historical and ecclesiastical significance.
History of Francis Street
Francis Street was laid out during the rapid development of the area in the mid- to late-19th century, as Westminster evolved from a semi-rural district into an urban heartland of politics, religion, and housing.
The area was shaped in part by the influence of the Westminster Cathedral Estate, managed by the Roman Catholic Church. This influence is reflected in the number of streets named after Catholic figures or with ecclesiastical associations.
Historic maps from the 1880s show Francis Street fully formed, and it has remained largely intact in terms of layout ever since, with buildings updated or redeveloped over time.
How Did Francis Street Get Its Name?
Francis Street is believed to have been named in honour of St Francis of Assisi, one of the most venerated religious figures in Roman Catholicism. The naming was likely influenced by the proximity of Westminster Cathedral, the mother church of Catholics in England and Wales, which is located directly to the east of the street.
The name would have been given around the 1870s or 1880s as part of the broader Cathedral Estate naming scheme, which also gave us streets like Ambrosden Avenue and Morpeth Terrace.
Character of the Road
Francis Street has a distinctly mixed character, combining residential apartments, local shops, a health clinic, and a few cafes and restaurants. It is relatively quiet for central London, with a neighbourhood feel supported by trees, period facades, and proximity to schools and churches.
The western side of the street is lined with elegant mansion blocks and low-rise Victorian or Edwardian townhouses, while the eastern side includes newer developments and community buildings. Its closeness to Westminster Cathedral lends a quiet dignity to the area.
Real Estate on Francis Street (as of May 2025)
Francis Street is part of the desirable SW1 postcode, which encompasses Westminster and Victoria. Property values here are significantly above the London average.
As of May 2025, typical sale prices include:
- Two-bedroom flat (~800 sq ft / 74 sq m): £1.1 million
- Three-bedroom maisonette (~1,100 sq ft / 102 sq m): £1.65 million
- Studio flat (~400 sq ft / 37 sq m): £525,000
Rental prices range from £2,300 to £4,000 per month depending on size and finish.
By comparison, the average price of a London home as of May 2025 is around £510,000, making Francis Street more than twice the city-wide average.
Nearest London Underground Stations
The closest tube station is Victoria Station, located approximately 400 metres southeast of Francis Street. Victoria Station is served by:
Another nearby option is St James’s Park Station, about 800 metres to the northeast, served by the District and Circle lines.
Nearby Bus Stops and Routes
Francis Street is well-served by multiple bus routes. The nearest bus stops are on Vauxhall Bridge Road and Victoria Street, just a couple of minutes’ walk away.
Commonly used routes include:
- Route 2 (to Marylebone or Norwood)
- Route 36 (to New Cross or Queen’s Park)
- Route 185 (to Lewisham or Victoria)
- Route C10 (to Canada Water)
- Route 24 (to Hampstead Heath)
These frequent routes make it easy to connect with key destinations across London, including the West End, Southbank, and south London suburbs.
Fun Fact About Francis Street
Francis Street was once the site of the Francis Street Clinic, one of the UK's first specialist centres for the treatment of venereal disease, operating in the early 20th century. Though the building no longer serves that purpose, it was once at the forefront of London’s public health system.
Also of note: if you walk down King’s Scholars’ Passage from Francis Street, you’re treading one of the area’s oldest paths—dating back to when it served as a route for pupils of Westminster School travelling to fields south of the Abbey.
Quick Facts
- Location: Westminster, SW1
- Length: Approx. 380m (1,250ft)
- Links: Howick Place to Vauxhall Bridge Road
- Intersections: Greencoat Row, Thirleby Road, Emery Hill Street, Ambrosden Avenue, Willow Place, Morpeth Terrace, Carlisle Place, King’s Scholars’ Passage
- Origin of Name: Named after St Francis of Assisi
- Historic Significance: Part of the Westminster Cathedral Estate, developed c.1870–1885
- Character: Residential with some shops and community facilities
- Property Prices (May 2025): £525k–£1.65m | ~£1,375 per sq ft
- Nearest Tube: Victoria (Victoria, District, Circle lines)
- Bus Routes: 2, 36, 185, C10, 24
- Fun Fact: Former location of early 20th-century public health clinic
Map of Francis Street, London
Painting of Francis Street, London (View image in full size)