Westminster

Westminster Civil Parish Map 1870

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Westminster Met. B Ward Map 1916

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John Norden's Map of Westminster Large version

Westminster City Hall, Victoria Street SW1 - geograph.org.uk - 1284668

Bird Eye Pictures of London Westminster in 1909

Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster. It is best known for being the location of the Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament, the seat of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Westminster is home to some of London's most iconic landmarks, including Westminster Abbey, where British monarchs have been crowned since 1066, and Big Ben, the nickname for the Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, though it is often extended to refer also to the clock and the clock tower.

History

The name Westminster originates from the informal description of the monastery church and royal peculiar of St Peter's (Westminster Abbey), located west of the City of London's St Paul's. The area has been the seat of the English and later British government since about 1200. The nearby Westminster School was founded in 1179 by Benedictine monks, and Westminster has been the home of the English and later British monarchy since the establishment of the royal palace during the Middle Ages.

Geography

Westminster is situated on the north bank of the River Thames, bordered by Mayfair to the north, the Victoria Embankment to the east, St. James's to the south, and Belgravia to the west. The area is a mixture of government buildings, tourist attractions, residential areas, and commercial properties.

Government

Westminster is synonymous with the UK's political system, housing the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom—the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Alongside the Palace of Westminster, the area contains numerous government offices, including Downing Street, the official residence and executive office of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Landmarks and Attractions

• Palace of Westminster: The meeting place of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
• Westminster Abbey: One of the United Kingdom's most notable religious buildings and the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English and, later, British monarchs.
• Big Ben: The nickname for the Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. A symbol of London and the United Kingdom.
• Westminster Bridge: A road and foot traffic bridge over the River Thames, linking Westminster to Lambeth.

Education

Westminster hosts several prestigious educational institutions, including the aforementioned Westminster School, a historic public school which has educated many notable figures in British history.

Transport

Westminster is well served by the London Underground, with stations such as Westminster, St. James's Park, and Victoria providing access to the area. The area is also served by numerous bus routes and is within walking distance of major railway stations such as Victoria and Charing Cross.

See Also

• City of Westminster
• London
• Politics of the United Kingdom