Property in Westminster
Property types in Westminster: Grand, terraced houses and quiet mews streets define Marylebone and Mayfair in Westminster, where property soars in grandeur, value and worldwide renown. Stately mansion blocks and luxury apartments are carefully constructed to complement Westminster’s classic housing stock, as well as new homes too.
Nearer the Palace of Westminster, Pimlico has long served MPs, civil servants – and even spies! – boasting newer, 20th-century mansion blocks alongside more budget-friendly ex-local authority homes. In the northern part of the borough, Maida Vale and St. John’s Wood feature a higher proportion of family homes, from Victorian villas to expensive townhouses.
Property across Westminster is well suited to high-value buyers and tenants, including those who have moved from overseas. Kubie Gold are expert estate agents covering Westminster and other local markets, so we can guide you to the right home for your needs.
Property prices in Westminster: Property for sale in Westminster averaged £1.27m last year, with flats at £1.03m, terraced houses at £2.57m, and semi-detached at £5.5m. Knowledge of property in Westminster is essential to achieve the best property prices, with many homes being sold discreetly or ‘off market’. See here for the most up to date sales prices in the area.
Transport Links
Pimlico Westminster is well connected as a critical area of the Capital – both due to it’s central position and constant influx of tourists, MPs and other professionals.
- Car & road: Travelling by car? The A4 and A3220 are major roads which crisscross the area, linking to the M4 (in 20 mins) and Heathrow Airport (in 45 mins).
- Buses: Buses serve all districts, with Piccadilly Circus offering connections across London.
- Train services: Regular train services depart from Victoria Station (reach Gatwick in 30 mins) and Charing Cross (reach Dover in around 90 mins).
- Underground: The London Underground is ubiquitous, with 11 stations serving the heart of the city (including Oxford Circus, Bond Street, and Westminster) providing swift access wherever you want to go.
Find out more about the transport options in Westminster here.
Local Schools
Westminster, understandably, is home to some of the finest educational institutions in the city – and further afield. For boys, preparatory school choices abound, from Westminster Abbey Choir School to Catholic Westminster Cathedral Choir School.
You’ll also find the prominent Eaton Square Schools in the area, with the head location in the world-famous Eaton Square itself. Among the state secondary schools, St Marylebone Church of England School for Girls is highly regarded, as is Westminster Academy. In the southern part of the borough, the co-educational Pimlico Academy is also an option.
If you’re looking for an exhaustive list of schools, then take a look at this search page on the government website.
Things to do
Perhaps unsurprisingly, there is much to see and do in Westminster. Not only that, but as it stands at the centre of London, you have the rest of the city to explore at leisure.
- Explore Buckingham Palace: Witness the Changing of the Guard, peek into the State Rooms, or delve into the Royal Mews.
- Immerse yourself in history: Take a tour the Abbey of Westminster and experience its storied history, view Churchill War Rooms’ wartime secrets, and the explore the grounds of Parliament.
- Stroll along the South Bank: Take in London’s most iconic sights, from the London Eye to Shakespeare’s Globe.
- Shop in style: From Bond Street’s luxury flagship stores to Covent Garden’s markets, there are far too many places to list when it comes to high-end shopping.
- Cruise the Thames: Enjoy a unique perspective of the city’s landmarks on a scenic riverboat tour.
- Visit Tate Gallery: Discover British art from 1500 to the present day, including masterpieces by Turner, Constable, and contemporary artists.
- Relax in St. James’s Park: Enjoy the beautiful gardens, serene lake, and picturesque views of the Palace.
- Explore the National Gallery: Home to over 2,300 paintings, including works by Van Gogh, Da Vinci, and Rembrandt.
- Attend a Performance at the Royal Opera House: Experience world-class opera and ballet performances in the historic and opulent setting of Covent Garden.
- Discover Trafalgar Square: Admire Nelson’s Column, the famous fountains, and enjoy the lively atmosphere of one of London’s most famous public spaces.
Local Amenities
To be honest, Westminster is so central that you can find convenient access to various amenities across the city. However, considering the Westminster area alone, you can find Sainsbury’s Victoria and Tesco for everyday groceries, while Oxford Street and Regent Street host flagship stores and designer boutiques.
Notable restaurants include The Wolseley (traditional British), Sketch (avant-garde dining), and Hakkasan (upscale Cantonese). Local doctors’ surgeries and leisure centres are abundant, with St Thomas’ Hospital providing comprehensive healthcare nearby.
Location & History
Discover all you need to know about the Westminster area below…
- Westminster location: Westminster sits at the heart of London, bordered by the Thames to the south and extending north to Marylebone Road. This district in the centre of London has been the seat of British government for nearly a thousand years, with the Palace of Westminster and the Abbey forming its historic core. The area evolved from Thorney Island, where Edward the Confessor built his palace and abbey in the 11th century, establishing Westminster as the centre of royal and parliamentary power.
- Living in Westminster: Living in Westminster means residing in one of London’s most prestigious postcodes, where government buildings stand alongside luxury apartments and townhouses. The area draws a unique demographic – senior civil servants, diplomats, business executives, and long-established families who value the proximity to power and culture. Unlike the financial focus of the City or the retail bustle of Oxford Street, Westminster maintains a more stately pace despite its central location.
- Westminster’s distinctive elements: The district’s distinctive character comes from its role as the nation’s political centre. Big Ben’s chimes mark the hours, while the comings and goings at Number 10 Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament create a constant undercurrent of national significance. Beyond politics, Westminster encompasses elegant squares like St James’s and Vincent Square, the largest in London after Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
- Areas near Westminster: Westminster divides into several distinct neighbourhoods. Belgravia’s white stucco terraces represent some of London’s most expensive real estate, while Pimlico offers slightly more affordable Victorian properties. Victoria has transformed from a transport interchange into a major commercial district with new residential developments. Each area maintains its own identity whilst contributing to Westminster’s overall prestige as one of London’s most significant boroughs.
Places Of Interest
Westminster’s concentration of national monuments, royal palaces, and cultural institutions makes it one of London’s most historically significant areas, offering far more than typical tourist attractions for those who call it home.
- Palace of Westminster: The iconic Gothic Revival building houses Parliament and Big Ben, offering tours when Parliament isn’t sitting and providing a constant reminder of British democracy in action.
- Westminster Abbey: This thousand-year-old church hosts coronations and royal weddings, whilst regular services and concerts make it a living place of worship for local people.
- Buckingham Palace: The Queen’s official London residence opens its State Rooms in summer, while the Changing of the Guard provides daily pageantry for those living nearby.
- Churchill War Rooms: The underground bunker where Churchill directed World War II operations preserves a crucial piece of British history beneath Westminster’s streets.
- Westminster Cathedral: This striking Byzantine-style Catholic cathedral offers a peaceful contrast to the Abbey, with its distinctive striped tower visible across the area.
- St James’s Park: London’s oldest Royal Park provides 23 hectares of green space with its lake, pelicans, and views towards the Horse Guards.
- Tate Britain: The national gallery of British art from 1500 to the present day houses works by Turner, Constable, and modern British artists in its Millbank location.
- The National Gallery: While technically in Trafalgar Square’s northern edge, this world-class collection of Western European paintings sits within easy reach of Westminster.
- Horse Guards Parade: The ceremonial parade ground hosts the annual Trooping the Colour and daily mounted sentries, maintaining centuries of military tradition.
- The Supreme Court: Housed in the former Middlesex Guildhall, Britain’s highest court opens its proceedings to the public, offering insight into the judicial system.
Jobs & Employment
Discover the typical jobs and employment prospects in Westminster…
- Westminster’s employment landscape: Westminster’s position as the UK’s political and administrative centre shapes its employment landscape fundamentally. The area hosts Parliament, numerous government departments including the Treasury and Foreign Office, and the headquarters of the Civil Service. These institutions employ thousands of civil servants, policy advisors, researchers, and administrative staff across all levels. The concentration of political activity also supports a substantial ecosystem of think tanks, lobbying firms, and political consultancies clustered around Smith Square and Millbank.
- Employment sectors active in Westminster: Beyond government, Westminster has developed into a significant commercial district. Victoria’s ongoing regeneration has attracted major corporations, with companies like John Lewis Partnership, Burberry, and numerous financial services firms establishing headquarters here. The area between Victoria Station and the Palace has seen particular growth in professional services, whilst traditional businesses around St James’s continue to serve the luxury goods market. The hotel and hospitality sector provides substantial employment, with establishments ranging from historic five-star hotels to modern business hotels serving the constant flow of international visitors and business travellers.
- Future prospects for growth in Westminster: Looking ahead, Westminster’s job market shows steady growth, particularly in professional services and the tech sector. The completion of major developments around Victoria and the ongoing transformation of the Vauxhall Nine Elms area just across the river are creating new employment opportunities. However, the area faces challenges from high commercial rents and competition from other London business districts. The shift towards hybrid working following recent global events has also affected demand for traditional office space, though Westminster’s unique position in national governance ensures continued employment stability in the public sector.
