Whitehall is one of the most important streets in the world. It is the heart of the Government of the United Kingdom, the centre of the British Commonwealth of Nations.

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Map of Government and Tourist Attractions

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The name is taken from the enormous royal Palace of Whitehall that used to occupy the area. From the days of Henry VIII until its destruction by fire in 1698, the great Palace of Whitehall was the Sovereign's main London residence. Today, only the name and one building, the Banqueting House, remains.

It was from one of the windows of Banqueting House that King Charles I stepped on to the scaffold to his execution in 1649.

Statue of of Earl Haig stands in front of Banqueting Hall

On each side of Whitehall are big stone buildings; they are government offices. In amongst them is Downing Street, the home of the Prime Minister.

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Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs is a non-ministerial department of the British Government primarily responsible for the collection of taxes and the payment of some forms of state support.

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The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is the British government department responsible for promoting the interests of the United Kingdom overseas, created in 1968 by merging the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Office.

Decorative sculptures illustrates Home and Colonial concerns: Literature, Commerce, Manufacture, Science, Art, Agriculture and Law are followed by Government, Europe, Asia, Africa, America, Australasia and Education.

The Cenotaph

In the middle of Whitehall stands the Cenotaph, the simple and dignified memorial to men and women who died for their country. It is here that the Queen lays a wreath on Remembrance Sunday.

The Cenotaph

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Downing Street

Next to The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, walking towards Trafalgar Square, is Downing Street.

The official residence of the Prime Minister is at Number 10 Downing Street.

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The Cabinet Office

The Cabinet Office is a department of the Government of the United Kingdom responsible for supporting the Prime Minister and Cabinet of the United Kingdom

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Horse Guards Arch

Two mounted soldiers guard the the official main entrance to both St James's Palace and Buckingham Palace. They are outside Horse Guards (Horse Guards Arch)

Horse Guards

Follow this link to Horse Guards