Westminster
Introduction
Westminster is a home rule city in Adams and Jefferson counties, Colorado, and forms part of the Denver-Aurora-Centennial metropolitan area along the Front Range Urban Corridor. The Westminster Municipal Center sits about nine miles north-northwest of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver, making the city a practical base for exploring the wider metro region.
Before you go
Westminster is a city in its own right and the twin to the ancient City of London to the east; together they historically formed the focus of what is now regarded as London. The Palace of Westminster became the principal royal residence after the Norman Conquest, and later housed the developing Parliament and law courts, while neighbouring Westminster Abbey became the traditional venue for the coronation of England's regents. The area has thus been the seat of royal and later parliamentary government and power for centuries.
Before you go, get clear on the boundaries, because the district of Westminster covered here is smaller than the City of Westminster. The district is bounded to the north by Trafalgar Square and Mayfair, to the east by Covent Garden, and to the west by Knightsbridge and Chelsea; the wider City of Westminster also takes in Trafalgar Square, Mayfair, Covent Garden and Paddington. Within the district, St. James's encompasses Buckingham Palace, the Palace of Westminster and the park of the same name, and is a very affluent area with a great deal to offer visitors. Belgravia, west of Buckingham Palace, is probably the grandest residential area in the whole of the United Kingdom. Victoria and Pimlico in the south-west are the least grand parts of the district but still have much to offer, including the Tate Britain, wonderful Regency architecture and a number of good-value accommodation options. To the south-east, the smaller area of Millbank has a beautiful view looking at the ships crossing the river.
Getting there
Westminster sits in the heart of London and is served by several Tube stations, all in Zone 1. Westminster station connects to the Circle, District and Jubilee lines; Embankment to the Bakerloo, Circle, District and Jubilee lines; Green Park to the Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria lines; Hyde Park Corner to the Piccadilly line; Pimlico to the Victoria line; St James's Park to the Circle and District lines; and Victoria to the Circle, District and Victoria lines.
The nearest mainline stations are London Waterloo and London Victoria, and it is worth taking the Tube from either to reach Westminster. Waterloo is a terminus for trains connecting to southwest England, with South Western Railway running services from towns across southeast and southwest England as well as within London. Victoria is a terminus for trains connecting to southeast England, with Southeastern, Southern Rail and Thameslink offering services to destinations including Dover, Brighton, Eastbourne and Portsmouth. Victoria Coach Station, a short walk from the train station, brings in coaches from across the country and all over Europe, with National Express and Megabus among the main operators; Stagecoach Oxford Tube runs from Gloucester Green in Oxford to London Victoria Coach Station. Victoria bus station, in front of the train station of the same name, is really more like a cluster of bus stops in one area, but plenty of routes pass through on their way to other parts of London. By boat, you can take a circular cruise from Westminster Millennium Pier.
Getting around
Westminster is compact and dense, and the main sights cluster close together, so walking is often the fastest way between nearby landmarks and lets you take in the streets, parks and architecture in between. Pack comfortable shoes. For longer hops, or when the weather turns, the Tube and bus network will get you almost anywhere you need to go.
The Underground is the quickest way around the district and out to the rest of London. All of Westminster's stations sit in Zone 1, the central fare zone: Westminster (Circle, District and Jubilee lines), Embankment (Bakerloo, Circle, District and Jubilee), Green Park (Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria), Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly), Pimlico (Victoria), St James's Park (Circle and District) and Victoria (Circle, District and Victoria). Fares are the standard London-wide ones, paid as you go or with a travelcard covering the zones you need, and staying within Zone 1 keeps things cheapest and simplest. Westminster has no mainline station of its own, but London Waterloo and London Victoria are both easy to reach by Tube; from either, ride the Tube into the district rather than walking, as the stations are a fair distance from its core. Buses are convenient and often scenic, with routes passing through the cluster of stops around Victoria bus station, and Victoria Coach Station a short walk from the train station handles coaches from across the country and from Europe. Taxis and ride-hailing are widely available for short trips between landmarks, for luggage or for late nights. Westminster Millennium Pier, near Westminster Tube station, runs circular Thames cruises and connects with the Tube.
Where to stay
Most of the accommodation in this part of London clusters around Pimlico, Victoria and the streets near Westminster Abbey, so you can pick your base by how close you want to be to the stations and sights. On a budget, look at the small B&Bs in the Pimlico and Victoria areas, which offer good value for this part of the city; The Wellington on Vincent Square sits in a quiet spot about ten minutes from Victoria Station and has internet access.
- Mid-range choices include the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London—Westminster on John Islip Street, a boutique hotel with a restaurant, bar and meeting venue; the Corinthia Hotel London on Whitehall Place, with rooms, suites and penthouses; and the Eccleston Square Hotel, a smart, gadget-filled hotel a block south of Victoria station where some rooms are very small.
- Also mid-range: St Ermin's Hotel on Caxton Street, with small but well-appointed rooms near Westminster Abbey; the Luna & Simone Hotel on Belgrave Road, a small, comfortable place with friendly staff; the Sanctuary House Hotel on Tothill Street, a small hotel in an old building close to the abbey and part of a popular pub; and the Lime Tree Hotel on Ebury Street, a comfy modern B&B in Belgravia reached by lots of stairs (no children under 5 or dogs).
- Splurge options include The Ritz on Piccadilly, overlooking Green Park, where a jacket and tie for gentlemen and smart attire and proper shoes for everyone are required; Artist Residence London on Cambridge Street in Pimlico, an offbeat stylish hotel with ten rooms, two suites and a good restaurant; St James Court Hotel on Buckingham Gate, close to Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament, with three restaurants, a spa and a gym; The Grosvenor on Buckingham Palace Road, next door to Victoria railway and tube station; St James's Hotel & Club on Park Place, a luxury townhouse hotel in a former diplomats' club (no dogs); The Goring on Beeston Place, a very upscale Edwardian hotel in Belgravia with great cuisine (assistance dogs only); The Stafford on St James Place, an opulent hotel in a historic townhouse overlooking Green Park with great dining (no dogs); and Hotel 41 on Buckingham Palace Road, a top-calibre hotel for comfort, service and cuisine.
Food & drink
Westminster rewards you at every price point, and much of the eating is clustered around the landmarks. Near Buckingham Palace you'll find pizza at Franco Manca and snacks at Le Signore Snack Bar, while around Victoria Station the budget options include Chicken Joint & Taquitos Mexican Grill, Cyprus Mangal, and the basement cafe of Westminster Cathedral, a good bet for a simple hot lunch. Close to Westminster Abbey, The Laughing Halibut is the classic shop for fish and chips.
For something more substantial, Pataka serves modern Indian food, Cardinal Place gathers a selection of chain restaurants in one shopping centre, and The Ebury Restaurant and Wine Bar offers French and European cooking. Seafresh does fish and chips as both restaurant and takeaway, Oliviomare specialises in Sardinian seafood, and The Orange is a modern gastropub with a first-floor restaurant. At the top end, The Cinnamon Club serves Indian food in a converted listed library, Hunan has no menu at all — you tell the staff what you don't like and how spicy you want it — and Wiltons has been doing traditional fine English dining, with an oyster bar, since the 18th century.
For a drink, Belgravia's pubs were built down side alleys and mews, out of sight of the grand houses. The Antelope preserves original Georgian features, The Grenadier occupies a building that began as an officer's mess, and The Star Tavern has a colourful past as a haunt of gang bosses. In St James's you can seek out the pubs named after lions, including the small freehouse Old Red Lion down a passageway, or take afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason. Pimlico and Millbank offer the specialist beer bar CASK Pub & Kitchen and the Victorian Morpeth Arms beside the Thames, while in Victoria The Albert, dating from the 1860s, is a traditional pub often crowded with Chelsea pensioners at the bar.
What to see and do
The Palace of Westminster, better known as the Houses of Parliament, anchors the sightseeing in this part of the city. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and seat of the UK Parliament, the building largely dates from the 19th century, rebuilt after a fire in Victorian neo-Gothic style. The House of Commons sits to the north, decorated with green leather upholstery, and the House of Lords to the south, decorated in red. While the house is sitting, you can watch committees and debates from the Strangers' Galleries of the Commons and Lords at no charge, queueing at St. Stephen's Entrance opposite Westminster Abbey. Queues can run 30 minutes or more depending on the popularity of the debate; avoid Wednesday lunchtime, when the Prime Minister takes questions, unless you have a ticket from a Member of Parliament. If you only wish to see the Lords, tell one of the police officers standing guard outside and you should be able to enter immediately. On entry you pass through a metal detector and a thorough search, then wait in St. Stephen's Hall before being called through the Central Hall and upstairs, leaving all bags, cameras, phones and written material outside. The Lords gallery is by far the more impressive of the two chambers, featuring the throne opposite the gallery, and its queue is always very short. Afterwards you pass back through Westminster Hall, one of the few areas of Parliament where photography is permitted, dating back to the 9th century, with plaques on the floor marking where distinguished individuals have lain in state and significant events such as the trial of King Charles I. The State Opening of Parliament is probably the most colourful event in the UK's legislative calendar, held in May or June each year or after a general election, when the King travels to the Houses of Parliament in an elaborate procession from Buckingham Palace, with the Lords and office holders in ceremonial robes. Attendance at Parliament itself is limited to invited guests, but the event is broadcast live on the BBC and you can view the King's procession from the roadside for free. Across the road from the Houses, the Jewel Tower on Abingdon Street is the only part of the original Palace of Westminster still standing, with good displays about the early history of Westminster. Nearby in Parliament Square, Westminster Abbey is the traditional scene for the coronation of British monarchs and the burial place of many past kings and queens, and at its eastern end the Henry VII Lady Chapel is described as "the wonder of the entire world", a masterpiece of medieval architecture. St. Margaret's Church, next to the Abbey, is the parish church of the House of Commons.Three days in Westminster
Day one: Start in Westminster itself, getting your bearings around The Westminster Municipal Center before heading into Denver to see the Colorado State Capitol. From there, follow the city's namesake thread by seeking out the London connections that give the place its character, from Westminster Abbey to the Palace of Westminster and the Norman Conquest associations that shaped the original.
Day two: Spend the morning exploring the central London names that echo through the area, wandering from Trafalgar Square toward Mayfair, Covent Garden, Knightsbridge and Chelsea. Continue through Paddington and St James's, taking in Buckingham Palace and the surrounding Belgravia and Victoria streetscapes, before finishing near Pimlico and the Tate Britain galleries along Millbank.
Day three: Use the Tube and Zone connections to loop outward toward Adams, Jefferson, Aurora and Centennial, getting a feel for how the Front Range Urban Corridor links these communities to Denver and the wider Colorado landscape. Round off your stay back in Westminster, with a final look at the Regency-era street names and the Palace references that tie the city to its English counterpart.