Whitehall, London
History and Origin
Whitehall was established in the 16th and 17th centuries along the former site of Whitehall Palace, once the main London residence of English monarchs. The street derives its name from this now-lost royal palace.Whitehall Palace was originally built by Cardinal Wolsey and later expanded by Henry VIII. It became the largest palace in Europe at the time. However, a catastrophic fire in 1698 destroyed most of it, and today only the Banqueting House (on the west side of Whitehall) survives from the original palace complex. This "white hall" is not only the namesake of the street but also a remarkable early example of classical architecture in Britain, designed by Inigo Jones and completed in 1622. Visitors can still explore the Banqueting House, which contains a magnificent ceiling painted by Rubens.
Map of Whitehall, London
Location and Connectivity
Whitehall forms part of the A3212 and is located entirely within the City of Westminster. It begins at the junction with Charing Cross and Northumberland Avenue, and continues south until it meets Parliament Street, where it flows seamlessly into it.Several notable streets connect to Whitehall, including:
- Horse Guards Avenue (leading east toward the Victoria Embankment)
- Whitehall Place
- Great Scotland Yard
- The continuation of Charing Cross to the north
Notable Buildings and Landmarks
Whitehall is lined with some of the most significant government buildings in the UK, many of which are housed in grand historic architecture:East Side (facing the River Thames)
- Department for Business and Trade (formerly part of the Department for International Trade)
- Raffles London at The OWO - a luxury hotel in the restored Old War Office building
- Ministry of Defence - occupying a massive building constructed in the 1930s
- Richmond House - a government office building now being redeveloped as part of the Restoration and Renewal of Parliament
- The Admiralty - including the Admiralty Extension building
- Admiralty House - a historic 18th-century building still used for government functions
- Horse Guards Building - home of the Household Cavalry Museum; the ceremonial Changing of the Guard happens here
- Cabinet Office - supporting the Prime Minister and the Cabinet
- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office - occupying a palatial Victorian-era building with public tours on open days
Getting there
Whitehall is extremely accessible by public transport, especially the London Underground. The nearest tube stations are:- Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern lines)
- Westminster (Circle, District, and Jubilee lines)
- Embankment (Bakerloo, Northern, Circle, and District lines)
Whitehall Self-Guided Walking Tour
I created this self-guided walking tour to show you the sight from Parliament Street to Charing Cross.Additional Faces and Tips
- The term "Whitehall" is often used metonymically to refer to the British Government or civil service, as many departments are based here.
- The Cenotaph, Britain's national war memorial, stands prominently in the middle of Whitehall and is the focal point of Remembrance Sunday ceremonies.
- From Whitehall, visitors can easily access Trafalgar Square, St James's Park, and the Palace of Westminster.
- The street is closed to traffic during ceremonial events, parades, and royal occasions, making it a hotspot for both historical interest and modern-day national life.