Whitehall facts for kids

The Foreign Office when the British Empire was very powerful.

Whitehall, London, looking south towards the Houses of Parliament. The tall tower is Victoria Tower.

A map of Whitehall showing the main UK Government buildings.

Whitehall is a famous road in Westminster, London, England. It runs north from Parliament Square towards Trafalgar Square. At the southern end of Trafalgar Square, you'll find a statue of King Charles I. This spot is often seen as the very heart of London!

The name "Whitehall" is used in two ways. It can mean the actual street. But it also often refers to the entire government and its offices in the UK.

Whitehall used to be a very wide road leading up to a grand palace. In the early 1800s, Trafalgar Square was built at its northern end. The part of the road closest to Parliament Square is called Parliament Street. However, when you're there, you can't really tell where Whitehall ends and Parliament Street begins. Together, these streets are about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) long.

What is Whitehall?

Whitehall is more than just a road. It's the center of the UK government. Many important government buildings are located here. This is why when people say "Whitehall has decided," they mean the government has made a decision.

Important Government Buildings

Many key government departments have their main offices along Whitehall or very close by. These are places where important decisions for the country are made every day.

Here are some of the main buildings you can find:

• 10 Downing Street: This is the official home and office of the Prime Minister.
• The Cabinet Office: This office supports the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, which is a group of senior government ministers.
• The Foreign and Commonwealth Office: This department handles the UK's relationships with other countries around the world.
• The Ministry of Defence: This is where decisions about the country's armed forces and national security are made.
• The Treasury: This department is in charge of the UK's money, including taxes and spending.
• Department of Health: This department works on healthcare and public health for everyone in the UK.
• Department of Work and Pensions: This office deals with welfare, pensions, and helping people find jobs.

Whitehall's History

Whitehall has a long and interesting history. It was once home to the Palace of Whitehall, which was the main residence of English monarchs from 1530 until it was mostly destroyed by fire in 1698. The street we see today was built on the site of this huge palace.

Gallery

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  Whitehall, looking south in 1740.

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  In 1799, many areas now covered by large government buildings had smaller houses.

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  A London cab drives past monuments on Whitehall, between Horse Guards and 10 Downing Street.

Images for kids

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  Map of Whitehall in 1680, showing the Palace of Whitehall and Scotland Yard.

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  Map of Whitehall and nearby streets, showing government buildings.

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  View of the Horse Guards Building from Whitehall. It has three arches leading to Horse Guards Parade.

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  Whitehall, looking north in 1953, just before the Queen's Coronation. The Earl Haig Memorial is in the middle of the road.

See also

In Spanish: Whitehall para niños