The City of Westminster is a special part of Greater London, England. It's known as a city and a London borough. This area is super important because it's where the UK's government works. You'll find the Houses of Parliament and many government offices here.

Westminster includes a big part of central London. This means famous shopping streets like Oxford Street and Regent Street. It also has the fun entertainment area called Soho. Many well-known London landmarks are in Westminster. These include Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and Trafalgar Square.

The borough also has many large parks. These include Hyde Park and most of Regent's Park. Further from the city centre, you'll find areas like St John's Wood and Maida Vale. In 2021, about 204,300 people lived here.

Westminster used to be a separate town west of London. It grew around the minster church of Westminster Abbey. It became a city in 1540. Over time, it joined with London. Today, Charing Cross in Westminster is seen as the very centre of London. Distances from London are measured from this spot.

History of Westminster City

After the Roman London era, a village grew west of London. It was called Lundenwic. Later, the old Roman city was rebuilt. Lundenwic then became a quieter, more rural area. Part of it is still known as Aldwych today.

Westminster Abbey, where the first settlement began.

The City of Westminster started even before the Norman Conquest of England. In the mid-1000s, King Edward the Confessor began building an abbey. This was Westminster Abbey. He also built a palace nearby. This made Westminster the fixed home of the government. It brought power and wealth away from the old City of London.

For many centuries, Westminster and the City of London were separate. It wasn't until the 1500s that houses filled the land between them. This slowly created the huge Greater London we know today.

King Henry VIII closed the abbey in the 1500s. But the church is still called Westminster Abbey. In 1540, Westminster was made a city. It kept this special status even after the church's role changed.

How Westminster Was Governed Over Time

Westminster was part of Middlesex county. It was a royal centre for a long time. But it only became a formal local government area in 1900. Still, it was called a city from 1540.

Westminster Council House, also known as Marylebone Town Hall. It's now the main meeting place for Westminster City Council.

From 1856, the Metropolitan Board of Works helped manage London. In 1889, this area became the County of London. In 1900, London's local government changed. Smaller areas became "metropolitan boroughs."

The areas of Paddington, St Marylebone, and Westminster became their own boroughs. The new borough of Westminster was given city status. In 1965, these three boroughs joined together. This created the modern City of Westminster. In 1966, the city was allowed to have a lord mayor.

How Westminster is Governed Today

The local government is the Westminster City Council. They meet at Westminster Council House. Their main offices are at Westminster City Hall on Victoria Street.

Westminster City Hall, built in 1965, is the council's main office.

Westminster's UK Parliament Members

Westminster is represented in the UK Parliament. Its members are called MPs. They speak for the people of Westminster in the government.

People and Population

Population pyramid of the City of Westminster in 2021

The population of Westminster has changed a lot over time. In 1801, about 220,000 people lived there. By 2021, the population was around 204,300.

Different Backgrounds in Westminster

Westminster is home to people from many different backgrounds. In 2021, about 55% of people were White. About 16.7% were Asian or Asian British. Around 8% were Black or Black British. About 6.5% were Mixed. And 13.5% were from other ethnic groups. This shows Westminster is a very diverse place.

Religions in Westminster

Westminster has many different religions. In 2021, about 37.3% of people were Christian. About 25.9% said they had no religion. Around 20% were Muslim. Other religions like Jewish, Hindu, and Buddhist are also present.

Housing in Westminster

Westminster has a lot of privately rented homes. This means many people rent their homes from landlords. It's one of the highest rates in England.

Education in Westminster

Many adults in Westminster have good qualifications. About 82% of adults have Level 3 qualifications. This means they have completed advanced studies.

Areas and Neighbourhoods

The City of Westminster includes many well-known areas of London. Some of these areas are:

Bayswater
Belgravia (shared with Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea)
Covent Garden (shared with London Borough of Camden)
Hyde Park
Maida Vale
Mayfair
Paddington
Pimlico
Soho, including Chinatown
West End (shared with London Borough of Camden)
Westminster City Centre

Westminster's Economy

Many big companies have their main offices in Westminster. This includes global and European headquarters. Areas like Mayfair are known for finance companies.

Piccadilly Circus (September 2012)

The West End is famous for its theatres. It's a major centre for performing arts. Soho is a hub for media and creative businesses. Oxford Street is a very popular place for shopping.

Famous Landmarks

The City of Westminster has some of London's most famous sights. These include Buckingham Palace, where the King lives. Also, Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament). And of course, Big Ben.

Big Ben is the famous nickname for the bell in the Elizabeth Tower at the Palace of Westminster.

The Centre of London

Charing Cross is considered the very centre of London. It's the point from which distances from London are measured. This tradition started with the Eleanor crosses in the past.

Parks and Green Spaces

Westminster has many beautiful parks. These include Green Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent's Park, and St James's Park. These parks offer great places to relax and enjoy nature.

Getting Around Westminster

Train Stations

Four main train stations serve the City of Westminster:

These stations connect Westminster to many parts of London and beyond.

London Underground

The City of Westminster has 27 London Underground stations. Ten of the eleven Tube lines pass through the borough. This makes it very easy to travel around.

Electric Car Charging

Westminster City Council has many electric vehicle charging points. These help people charge their electric cars. By 2018, there were 60 charging spots.

How People Travel to Work

In 2011, many residents used public transport for work. About 21% used the Underground. About 9.3% walked or took the bus. Some people also drove, cycled, or worked from home.

Learning and Education

The main entrance to the London School of Economics

Westminster Children's Services runs many schools. There are primary and secondary schools. Some are faith schools, like Church of England or Roman Catholic. There are also private schools.

Universities and Colleges

Westminster is home to many important universities and colleges:

The University of Westminster has three campuses here.
The Strand campus of King's College London.
The London Business School, in Regent's Park.
The London School of Economics, near Aldwych.
The Royal Academy of Music, for music students.
University of the Arts London has colleges here.
City of Westminster College is a college for further education.
Regent's College, located in Regent's Park.
Westminster Kingsway College has centres in Soho and Victoria.
The Royal College of Art in Kensington Gore.

Public Libraries

Charing Cross Library

The city has two main reference libraries. These are Westminster Reference Library and Marylebone Information Service. Westminster Reference Library has special collections. These include a Sherlock Holmes collection.

Westminster also has two special libraries:

The Westminster Music Library, which is the UK's largest music library.
The Westminster Chinese Library, in the Charing Cross Library.

There are also many free public lending libraries. These include Charing Cross Library, Paddington Library, and Victoria Library.

Embassies and High Commissions

Many countries have their embassies or High Commissions in Westminster. These are like their country's offices in the UK.

Famous People from Westminster

Many famous people have lived in or come from the City of Westminster.

Westminster's Coat of Arms

Coat of arms of Westminster City Council at Westminster City Hall

The current Westminster coat of arms was given in 1964. It has symbols from older areas that joined to form the city. The portcullis (a gate symbol) is a main part of the design.

Freedom of the City

Some special people and military groups have been given the "Freedom of the City" of Westminster. This is a great honour.

Individuals Honoured

Sir Winston Churchill: 1946.
Sir Robert Mark: 1977.
Margaret Thatcher: 1990.

Military Units Honoured

HMS Westminster, a Royal Navy ship: 2005.

Images for kids

Population pyramid of the City of Westminster in 2021
Ethnic makeup of the Westminster including the City of London in 2021
Marylebone station
An image of Charing Cross Station with Southeastern trains at the platform.
Marylebone station at night, with red benches and glowing departure boards.
Paddington railway station with sun shining through the arches built by Brunel
Victoria station concourse. British flags hang from the ceiling.

City of Westminster facts for kids

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