Classy St James Park is one of London’s most popular parks with its location right next to Buckingham Palace, St James’ Palace and the Palace of Westminster.
St James Park is also the oldest of the Royal Parks and is one of the most popular London attractions during summertime allowing visitors to enjoy this beautiful green space in the heart of central London.
The park is famous for the St James Park Lake, home to pelicans which are fed daily by wildlife officers, between 2:30 pm and 3:00 pm. The lake is home to more than forty species of water birds, including grey geese and various ducks.
Get your camera out
If you cross the lake walking over the Blue Bridge, you can get some really excellent shots of the London Eye, Whitehall, Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade. St James Park is also famous for The Mall, which is the Queen’s ceremonial route running along the park towards Buckingham Palace.
St James Park Playground
The park has a small but well-planned children’s playground, giving kids a welcome break from the tourist trail. We particularly like all the boulders which are great for the kids to climb on as well as resting-places for parents sipping coffee 😉
Additional highlights
- The Queen’s Horse Guards stables and changing of the guards
- A fruit-and-vegetables allotment, which is open in the summer months
- A bandstand, which offers free concerts during weekend afternoons in summer
- The tropical border, with its collection of exotic plants
- The Nash Shrubberies, which were introduced in the early 19th century by John Nash.
- Duck Island Cottage – a cute building on the eastern side of the lake
Key Information St James Park
- Free entry
- Outdoor
- Type: Park
- City of Westminster
- Area: Central London
- Tube: St James Park
- Nearby: Buckingham Palace
- The Royal Parks Website