Whitehall and Westminster are the areas where you can see some of London’s most famous sights. Here, next to the river Thames, are Big Ben are the houses of Parliament. At one time, England’s kings and queens lived in these buildings, and they were called the Palace of Westminster, but today Parliament meets here. Near the Houses of Parliament is Downing Street, where the UK’s prime minister – the leader – lives, and where the government meets. Also near here is Westminster Abbey, a large and very important church where England’s kings and queens have had their coronations since the time of William the Conqueror.