Premier Inn London County Hall — the story behind the hotel

Sleeping where London was governed

Look out of the window at Premier Inn London County Hall and you see the London Eye, the Thames and Big Ben. But the building you are sleeping in is a landmark too: for 64 years, London was governed from here.

The seat of London’s government

County Hall was built as the headquarters of the London County Council. Architect Ralph Knott won the competition to design it, in a grand Edwardian Baroque style faced in Portland stone, with a curving colonnade along the river.

Building work began in 1911, and on 17 July 1922 County Hall was officially opened by King George V and Queen Mary. Two world wars and wartime damage meant parts of the building were finished only decades later.

Seven miles of corridors

County Hall is enormous: six storeys high, with around seven miles of corridors. From 1965 it was home to the Greater London Council, and in the 1980s it became the scene of a famous political battle between the GLC and the government of Margaret Thatcher.

In 1986 the government abolished the GLC, and County Hall lost its role as the seat of London’s government. The main building was sold, and over the following years it became home to hotels, the London Aquarium and other attractions.

Little-known facts about Premier Inn London County Hall

• The building: County Hall, headquarters of London’s government for 64 years
• Architect: Ralph Knott, in Edwardian Baroque style
• Built: Work began in 1911
• Opened: 17 July 1922, by King George V and Queen Mary
• Corridors: County Hall has about 7 miles of corridors
• End of an era: The Greater London Council was abolished in 1986
• Protected: Grade II* listed
• Neighbours: The London Eye outside, Big Ben across the river

County Hall today

Today you can stay inside this Grade II* listed building at a fraction of the cost of a riverside luxury hotel. The London Eye is right outside, Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament are across the river, and Waterloo Station is a short walk away.

Getting to Premier Inn London County Hall from the airport

Heathrow is about 45–70 minutes by car, Gatwick about 60–80 minutes, London City about 30–40 minutes. The train is fine if you travel light — but with luggage, children, a late flight or an arrival at Gatwick or London City, most guests prefer a private transfer straight to the door.

• Heathrow to Premier Inn London County Hall and Gatwick to Premier Inn London County Hall — one fixed price per car, agreed before you fly, airport parking and waiting included.
• Meet and greet — your driver tracks your flight and waits inside arrivals with your name, with no extra charge if you are late.
• Executive cars for business travel, people carriers for families and groups, free child seats.
• Transfers from the hotel to every London airport and the cruise ports, 24/7. TfL-licensed private hire operator since 2013.

See your fixed price at the top of this page, or open the Heathrow to Premier Inn London County Hall and Gatwick to Premier Inn London County Hall pages.

A palace for the people

County Hall was built to govern London. Now it welcomes visitors from all over the world — perhaps the most democratic thing that has ever happened to it.

Sources: Wikipedia — County Hall · Londonist — County Hall at 100 · Wikipedia — London Marriott County Hall

Key facts

Facts checked against the sources listed above, November 2026.

Related pages

Heathrow to Premier Inn London County Hall · Gatwick to Premier Inn London County Hall · All London hotel transfers