Accommodation for the Games | Guide To Westminster
WESTMINSTER
List the names of as many London sightseeing spots as you can think of, and it’s a safe bet that many of them will reside within the City of Westminster. From the imposing Houses of Parliament through to picturesque but perhaps less well known Little Venice, The City of Westminster is a location the powerful, wealthy and famous call home in central London. As well as having these much snapped tourist spots concentrated in a small area, this is the bustling, varied and vibrant heart of London. The West End, reputed for its theatres, restaurants and entertainment, is a location many visitors should become familiar with, and of course the famous Buckingham Palace and "the changing of the guard" must surely be on a checklist for a trip to our wonderful Capital. With all these landmarks dotted around, plus Beach Volleyball on Horse guards Parade and Triathlon in the glorious and airy Hyde Park what better reason is there for visitors to consider the City of Westminster and its neighbourhoods as an excellent place to stay for the London 2012 Olympics.
Neighbourhoods in Westminster
- Bayswater
- Belgravia
- Covent Garden
- Fitzrovia
- Maida Vale
- Marylebone
- Mayfair
- Paddington
- Pimlico
- Soho
- St John’s Wood
- Westminster & St James
Properties in Westminster
BAYSWATER, W2
Bayswater is possibly London’s most cosmopolitan spot with diverse demographic of residents, many tourists also chose the location due to the offering of numerous hotels, plus good places to eat, drink and shop. The mix of architecture includes some once grand hotels, stucco fronted terraces and some architecturally significant buildings - including the impressive Edwardian Whitley’s Shopping Centre. The business of the area is wonderfully balanced with the serenity of some green space as it sits directly beside both Hyde Park, will all its delights and Kensington Gardens, home of Kensington Palace and the excellent playground built in memory of the late Princess of Wales.
Nearest underground stations
Bayswater, Queensway, Royal Oak and Lancaster Gate
Olympic Venues close to Bayswater
Earls Court, Horse Guards Parade, Hyde Park, Lord's Cricket Ground, Regent's Park
BELGRAVIA, SW1
Belgravia is arguably one of London's most fashionable residential districts and has been since its design. In the 1820’s Richard Grosvenor commissioned Thomas Cubitt to develop Belgrave and Eaton Squares, and the glorious white stucco fronted mansions are the result. Much of the area is still owned by the family. It is a relatively quiet, elegant area, and perhaps for just these reasons it is home to many embassies. The local shops, restaurants, houses and garden squares all reflect the pedigree of the area. However, you will still find some good old fashioned pubs retaining some traditional charm that came with being built for the serving staff all those years ago.
Nearest underground stations
Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge, Sloan Square & Victoria
Olympic Venues close to Belgravia
Earls Court, Horse Guards Parade, Hyde Park, Lord's Cricket Ground, Regent's Park
COVENT GARDEN, WC2
Covent Garden should be high on every visitor’s agenda; the area is synonymous with entertainment and is surrounded by theatres, restaurants and bars. Featuring the Royal Opera House - not only stunning architectural masterpiece in itself but a magical place to take in some culture. Turn left out of the station and you’ll find the atmospheric Neal’s Yard, famed for its cheese shop and other excellent shopping. Turn right, and a short stroll down a cobbled street is The Covent Garden Apple Market (historically a busy fruit and vegetable market), this hosts daily alfresco entertainment on its central piazza and provides some excellent shopping that will delight with variety. The market square also features one of London’s most popular Museums - the London Transport Museum. Further on from here is The Strand, Somerset House and Trafalgar Square - all places where London’s history and majesty will unveil itself to you.
Nearest underground stations
Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus & Tottenham Court Road
Olympic Venues close to Covent Garden
Earls Court, Horse Guards Parade, Hyde Park, Lord's Cricket Ground, Regent's Park
FITZROVIA, W1 & WC1
Not as well known as its neighbours, Bloomsbury or Marylebone, Fitzrovia is an area that sits under the famous BT Tower. Historically home to some notable writers and poets, the area is now perhaps less bohemian than it was, but still full of character and with a sense of community. The location is defined by the mix of business, fashion wholesale, large office blocks, some impressive residential property plus loads of restaurants cafe’s and pubs. It is also a really handy spot for the City, West End and Regent’s Park.
Nearest underground stations
Great Portland Street, Goodge Street, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Warren Street, Regents Park, Euston
Olympic Venues close to Fitzrovia
Earls Court, Horse Guards Parade, Hyde Park, Lord's Cricket Ground, Regent's Park
MAIDA VALE, W9
Maida Vale is home to Little Venice, where the Grand Union Canal meets the Regents Canal and where you will also find a picturesque setting of narrow boats, cafe’s and galleries – head East, down the tow path and you will find your way to Regent’s Park, a delightful walk on a warm summer’s day. The area is mostly residential, and mainly affluent, consisting of many large late-Victorian and Edwardian blocks of mansion flats. The local shops are also often geared towards the luxury market.
Nearest underground stations
Maida Vale, Warwick Park, Kilburn Park
Olympic Venues close to Maida Vale
Earls Court, Horse Guards Parade, Hyde Park, Lord's Cricket Ground, Regent's Park
MARYLEBONE, W1
Perhaps most famous on the tourist trail for Madam Tussauds or even Sherlock Holmes’s fictional residence at Baker Street, there is more to Marylebone that these sights – The quaint Marylebone High Street, with an attractive array of shops, bars, cafes and galleries. Marylebone also features some magnificent white stucco terraces and is a gateway to the enviable Regent’s Park with its delightful gardens, playing fields and the ever popular London Zoo. Not forgetting Regent’s Park Theatre – there is almost no better place to spend a summer’s evening than soaking up some culture at this glorious outdoor theatre. Regent’s Park will play host the Road Cycling events for the Games.
Nearest underground stations
Baker Street, Bond Street, Edgware Road, Marble Arch, Marylebone, Oxford Circus, Regent’s Park
Olympic Venues close to Marylebone
Earls Court, Horse Guards Parade, Hyde Park, Lord's Cricket Ground, Regent's Park
MAYFAIR, W1
Mayfair is possibly London’s wealthiest district bordered by Piccadilly, Park Lane and Oxford Street. For those of you outside the UK these names may be more familiar if you play Monopoly but in fact they play host to some of central London’s most expensive residences, as well as some exclusive shopping and London's largest concentration of luxury hotels. For those of you seeking culinary delights, Mayfair has more Michelin star restaurants than any other London area. The cobbled Shepherd Market is Mayfair’s more down to earth offering; with chocolate shops, a good pub or two and some attractive restaurants. West of Park Lane is the wonderful Hyde Park. Here you’ll find Speakers Corner, the beloved spot for free speech advocates – see if you can spot an MI5 agent keeping an eye on proceedings! Hyde Park is a truly impressive, green and inviting space to find within this bustling metropolis.
Nearest underground stations
Oxford Circus, Bond Street, Green Park, Hyde Park Corner and Marble Arch
Olympic Venues close to Mayfair
Earls Court, Horse Guards Parade, Hyde Park, Lord's Cricket Ground, Regent's Park
PADDINGTON, W2
Until recently Paddington was famed only for the impressive station opened in 1847 and designed by the celebrated engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel ... and perhaps a small marmalade loving bear. However, thanks to a massive rejuvenation project Paddington can also lay claim to an impressive modern waterside residential development, with gleaming buildings and public spaces. It features walkways, pedestrian friendly towpaths and new bridges that allow strollers to circumnavigate the whole basin. The “Rolling Bridge” is perhaps worth stopping to take a look at during operation.
Nearest underground stations
Paddington
Olympic Venues close to Paddington
Earls Court, Horse Guards Parade, Hyde Park, Lord's Cricket Ground, Regent's Park
PIMLICO, SW1
Dotted with elegant 19th century listed buildings and garden squares designed by the planner Thomas Cubitt, Pimlico plays host to such attractions as the Tate Britain Art Gallery and even used to be home to Winston Churchill. A short hop from the River Thames, this is another handy location for getting to and from both Olympic and pure pleasure events.
Nearest underground stations
Pimlico, Victoria
Olympic Venues close to Pimlico
Earls Court, Horse Guards Parade, Hyde Park, Lord's Cricket Ground, Regent's Park
SOHO, W1
Soho is bordered by four landmarks – Oxford Circus, St Giles Circus, Cambridge Circus and Piccadilly Circus and has historically been associated with the slightly seedier side of life. Irrespective of this assumption it is in fact a vibrant hotspot of activity, as well as being residential and touristy. Beyond the “red light” attractions the local area provides a multitude of things to do - Carnaby Street parallel to Regent Street is a great place to shop, Chinatown is as the name suggests offers a hint of the East. A few local restaurants carry Michelin stars and there is a fabulous selection of clubs, bars and restaurants, a thriving gay scene, plus many theatres offering a host of different shows. Soho Square itself is an oasis of calm, if the frenetic shopping on Oxford Street gets too much.
Nearest underground stations
Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Covent Garden, Leicester Square
Olympic Venues close to Soho
Earls Court, Horse Guards Parade, Hyde Park, Lord's Cricket Ground, Regent's Park
ST JOHN'S WOOD, NW8
St John’s Wood was one of the first London suburbs to be developed with a large amount of “Villa" housing, as opposed to the normal terraces built in Victorian times. Some of these have been replaced with higher density housing, but it still remains a highly desirable residential area. The most notable attraction is Lord’s Cricket Ground which will be home to the Archery events for the Games. Also on offer are the famous Abbey Road Recording Studios and that pedestrian crossing the iconic Beatles strutted across, although this has been moved from its original location. The area’s proximity to the gracious Regent’s Park is a delightful advantage for those wishing to stay here.
Nearest underground stations
St John’s Wood, Swiss Cottage, Maida Vale, Marylebone and Warwick Avenue
Olympic Venues close to St John's Wood
Earls Court, Horse Guards Parade, Hyde Park, Lord's Cricket Ground, Regent's Park
WESTMINSTER & ST JAMES'S, SW1
The wider borough is called the City of Westminster, but the inner circle built up around Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament takes the name Westminster itself. Along from Parliament Square, Trafalgar Square is a landmark not to be missed and also plays host to the Mayor of London’s free seasonal events. Connecting these two public squares is Whitehall, where tourists can photograph themselves with the Household Cavalry Guards, or you might even catch a glimpse of our Prime Minister or at least a politician or two at the heavily guarded and security gated Downing Street. Down the road is the gorgeous St James’s Park, famed for its water fowl, it provides a delightful stroll down to the famous Buckingham Palace.
Nearest underground stations
Westminster, St James’s Park, Victoria, Waterloo, Lambeth North, Charing Cross, Embankment, Piccadilly Circus and Green Park
Olympic Venues close to Westminster & St James’s
Earls Court, Horse Guards Parade, Hyde Park, Lord's Cricket Ground, Regent's Park
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