Whitehall facts for kids

The Foreign Office in the days of the British Empire

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

Whitehall showing the major UK Government buildings.

For other uses, see Whitehall (disambiguation).

Whitehall is a road in Westminster in London, England. It is the main street running north from Parliament Square, towards traditional Charing Cross, now at the southern end of Trafalgar Square and marked by the statue of Charles I, which is often regarded as the heart of London.

The name "Whitehall" is often used for governmental administration and as a geographic name for the district around it.

Whitehall was originally a wide road that ran up to the front of the palace. Trafalgar Square was built at its northern end in the early 19th century. The southernmost part by Parliament Square is named Parliament Street, but there is no longer any obvious difference between the two on the ground. Combined, the streets cover a total distance of about 0.6 mile (1 km).

Government buildings in Whitehall

10 Downing Street
The Cabinet Office
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The Ministry of Defence
The Treasury
Department of Health
Department of Work and Pensions

Gallery

Whitehall, looking south in 1740
In 1799 many of the sites now occupied by large government buildings were covered with terraced houses.
A London cab zooms between two monuments on Whitehall, between Horse Guards and 10 Downing Street

Images for kids

Map of Whitehall in 1680, showing the Palace of Whitehall and Scotland Yard. To the west of Holbein Gate, the road is known as The Street.
View of the Horse Guards Building from Whitehall, showing the three arches that link it to Horse Guards Parade
Whitehall, looking north in 1953, with the Earl Haig Memorial in the middle of the carriageway.
The Whitehall Theatre, now Trafalgar Studios, opened in 1930 and is a Grade II listed building.