HM Treasury

Area United Kingdom's finance ministry housed in London

HM Treasury sits on Whitehall beside Downing Street and Parliament, the administrative heart of UK fiscal policy. Tourists pass the building while visiting government landmarks, memorials and Westminster’s concentration of state institutions.

Main image

HM Treasury is the United Kingdom government department responsible for public finance and economic policy, headquartered in central London. It is the UK ministry that oversees taxation, public spending and macroeconomic strategy.

The site functions as an operational government department rather than a tourist attraction, so the main interest for visitors is its role in national government and the surrounding Whitehall precinct. The building sits among other major government offices and is commonly photographed from public streets rather than entered by tourists.

The Treasury traces its role to historic royal and state financial offices that evolved into the modern department; over centuries its responsibilities and institutional structure have been reorganized to meet changing economic needs. It has occupied offices within the Whitehall area for long periods as the centre of the United Kingdoms fiscal administration.

The headquarters sit on Whitehall in central London, close to Downing Street, Parliament and other government ministries. The location places it in the ceremonial and administrative heart of the capital.

  • Access: Located on Whitehall, the building is staffed and secured; there is no general public tour of the working offices.
  • Viewing point: The adjacent area offers clear external views of the building and nearby government sites such as Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament.
HM Treasury
1 Horse Guards Road, Westminster, London SW1A 2HQ, United Kingdom
51.5042, -0.1264
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm (offices; not a visitor attraction)
Free (government offices), tours by prior arrangement only

How to Get to HM Treasury #

The Treasury is on Horse Guards Road in Westminster. Nearest tube: Westminster station (Jubilee, District, Circle) or Charing Cross (Bakerloo, Northern) - both are a 5-10 minute walk. Several bus routes travel along Whitehall; arrival on foot is the easiest way to see the entire government quarter.

Tips for Visiting HM Treasury #

  • Do not expect tourist facilities: the Treasury is a working government building with security checks; photography may be restricted.
  • Walk the short route from Westminster Underground (Jubilee, District, Circle lines) and time a visit to pass by Horse Guards Parade at changing of the guard.
  • Notice the weather stains and soot on the Portland stone façades - they tell London's industrial story better than any plaque.

Best Time to Visit HM Treasury #

The HM Treasury is a working government complex best appreciated from the outside year‑round; visits require prior arrangement for any interior access.

Spring
Mar-May · 6-15°C (43-59°F)
Parks nearby bloom and the light on Whitehall is clean; good for photography.
Autumn
Sep-Nov · 8-15°C (46-59°F)
Fewer tourists than summer; crisp air brings out facade details.

Weather & Climate near HM Treasury #

Climate

HM Treasury's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (645 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
-8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 64 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.2h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

41 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
13.7h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
15.4h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

68 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
16.3h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

43 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
15.9h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
14.4h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
11° 19°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

58 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.5h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.7h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

61 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.7h daylight

Nearby Attractions to HM Treasury