Northumberland Avenue is a major thoroughfare in the City of Westminster, London, connecting Trafalgar Square to the Victoria Embankment. It is a key link between the administrative center of Whitehall and the River Thames.
The street was constructed in 1876 on the site previously occupied by Northumberland House, the Jacobean townhouse of the Dukes of Northumberland. The Metropolitan Board of Works purchased the property and demolished the house in 1874 to make way for the new road, which was intended to provide improved access to the newly developed Thames Embankment.
Architecturally, Northumberland Avenue is characterized by large, imposing Victorian buildings. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it became a prestigious location for grand hotels, such as the Hotel Metropole, the Hotel Victoria, and the Grand Hotel. Many of these structures were later converted for alternative uses; several are currently utilized as government offices, particularly by the Ministry of Defence.
Notable institutions located on or immediately adjacent to the avenue include the Royal Commonwealth Society and the Playhouse Theatre, the latter of which is situated near the street's junction with the embankment.
In cultural history, Northumberland Avenue is recognized as one of the three pink-colored properties on the British version of the board game Monopoly, along with Pall Mall and Whitehall. These three streets meet at or near Trafalgar Square, reflecting their geographical proximity in central London.