History

History of the Westminster Arms

Once known as the Red Lion, the Westminster Arms sits within a 19th century building that was rebuilt in 1913. It is one of six local public houses to feature a division bell within it (‘division’ in this context referring to a vote).

The bells are used to call members of the House of Commons or the House of Lords back to the nearby Houses of Parliament and, upon hearing the division bell chime, MPs or Lords will have eight minutes to get to their chosen division lobby to register their vote.

The House of Commons and the House of Lords share the division bell network but the bells are set up to make distinct sounds depending on which House is being called back to vote.

As well as regularly welcoming many familiar faces from the world of British politics, the Westminster Arms has played host to a range of other famous luminaries over the years such as South African bishop and theologian Desmond Tutu, US President Bill Clinton, and American actor Angelina Jolie to name but a few.

The Westminster Arms received a £1.2 million refurbishment in 2025 to install an expanded and all-electric kitchen set-up, implement various energy saving improvements, and give the pub a bespoke deep-purple ‘Westminster Plum’ makeover with a hue created especially for the Westminster Arms by Britain’s oldest, family-run paint manufacturer - and fellow Royal Warrant Holders - Mylands.