Victoria is the name of the train station and the area immediately surrounding it. Most cheap hotels are in Pimlico, the area south of the station. North of Buckingham Palace Rd lies Belgravia, one of the most expensive parts of London and home to many embassies and wealthy residents.
Victoria/Pimlico is a convenient area to stay if you’re travelling to or from London by coach. And it’s fairly central too. Some of London’s major attractions are within easy walking distance, and it only takes about 20 minutes to walk to the West End.
View a map of the Victoria area
History
The area was developed around the mid-19th century by Thomas Cubbitt, who had recently built the more upmarket Belgravia.
Accommodation information
The immediate area around the train station is busy during the morning and afternoon rush hour but behind the station, the streets are relatively quiet. There’s a good mix of budget chains and traditional B&B hotels. Some are a 10–15 minute walk from Victoria station, nearer Pimlico underground station.
Places of interest within walking distance
- Westminster Abbey
- Buckingham Palace
- St James’s Park
- Westminster Cathedral
- Tate Britain
- Houses of Parliament
- Big Ben
Shopping
The train station has a small shopping centre. The nearest local shopping area is on Wilton Rd, Tachbrook St & Warwick Way. There are also shops on Victoria St and at in new Cardinal Place opposite Westminster Cathedral.
It’s one stop on the underground to Sloane Square for the King’s Rd or a short bus ride to Knightsbridge. The area is just to the south of the West End and it’s only a 5 minute tube ride to Oxford Circus.
Supermarkets
There are several branches of Sainsbury’s in the area and a Tesco on Warwick Way.
Transport
Victoria is one of London’s main transport hubs. Coaches to all London airports, and to all parts of the UK and Europe leave from Victoria Coach Station or from the stops on Buckingham Palace Rd. Frequent trains to Gatwick airport leave from Victoria train station.
Underground stations
Victoria is on the District, Circle & Victoria lines. Pimlico is on the Victoria line.
Local buses
There are plenty of buses from Victoria (pdf) to all parts of London from outside the train station. Bus 24, a useful route, passes many of the hotels on Belgrave Rd and runs all day and night.