St James Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A historic building with classical architecture, surrounded by autumn leaves.
A black car parked in front of a historic building with large columns and ornate architecture.
A grand building with large arched entrances and a prominent inscription above the door.
A historic archway with intricate stone carvings and a large ornate gate.
A grand building with large arches and a clock tower.

Visit royal residences, acclaimed galleries and one of London’s poshest shops in this central area. Attend a show at historic theatres and hang out in a Royal Park.

Ritzy St. James’s sits between lush parks and Trafalgar Square at the edge of London’s West End. Developed as a residential neighbourhood for British nobility in the 1600s, today it maintains an air of elite sophistication. Visit St. James’s to discover aristocratic and royal residences alongside century-old theatres, gourmet restaurants, high-end retailers and outstanding art exhibitions.

Admire the Tudor-era St. James’s Palace, which is a London residence of the Royal Family. Clarence House is a home of the Prince of Wales and open in August for guided tours. See the lavish rooms of Spencer House, a townhouse built by an ancestor of Princess Diana. Grand Georgian mansions frame leafy St. James’s Square.

Piccadilly street epitomizes the area’s refined retail. Browse for gourmet treats and luxury homeware and enjoy afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason. Find a chocolatier, milliner and other artisans at Princes Arcade and bespoke menswear on Jermyn Street. Piccadilly Market presents arts and crafts in the church courtyard of St. James’s Piccadilly.

The galleries of St. James’s cater to a range of tastes. Peruse works by Scottish Colourists at Portland Gallery and contemporary masterpieces at White Cube Mason’s Yard. The Institute of Contemporary Arts is a combined cinema, gallery and theatre.

Book tickets for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre. The Theatre Royal Haymarket puts on plays and musicals for all ages. From British pub food to Italian, Scandinavian and West African flavours, St. James’s Market is an epicurean wonderland.

The lush environment of St. James’s Park is ideal for picnics and enjoying London’s natural side. Spot waterbirds, watch a daily pelican feeding and stroll along crisscrossing pathways. On the park’s north side, The Mall connects Buckingham Palace with Trafalgar Square. This ceremonial avenue is the setting for parades such as The Changing of the Guard.

St. James’s is served by the Green Park and Piccadilly Circus underground stations plus several public bus lines. Travel here in November for the star-studded Regent Street Christmas Lights Switch-On.

Stay near popular St James attractions

A guard in a red uniform standing in front of a traditional black and gold building with a white window.
Photo by Barb
Open Photo by Barb

St. James Palace

9.0/5 (11 reviews)
St. James Palace is just one of the places to see in London, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Stroll along the riverfront or visit the shops in this vibrant area.
See properties

Activities

Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath Full-Day Tour with Pub Lunch in Lacock

Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath with Lunch in a 14th-Century Pub

NZ$206
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath with Lunch in a 14th-Century Pub
City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional River Cruise

City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Bookable Extras

NZ$62
per adult
76% of travellers recommend
City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Bookable Extras
The London Pass®: Access 100+ Attractions

The London Pass®: Access 100+ Attractions

NZ$226
per adult
74% of travellers recommend
The London Pass®: Access 100+ Attractions
Madame Tussauds London Admission Ticket

Madame Tussauds London Admission Ticket

NZ$73
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Madame Tussauds London Admission Ticket
Shrek's Adventure Tickets

Shrek's Adventure! London Tickets

NZ$56
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Shrek's Adventure! London Tickets
Westminster Abbey in London

Westminster Abbey Tickets

NZ$32
per child
86% of travellers recommend
Westminster Abbey Tickets
See all activities in London

Our pick of the best St James Hotel Deals

Moxy London Piccadilly Circus

Moxy London Piccadilly Circus

3 out of 5
1 Jermyn Street London England
The price is NZ$410 per night from 13 July to 14 July
NZ$410
13 July - 14 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square are ...
8.4/10 Very good! (372 reviews)
"This property saved us. We booked another that was terrible and decided when we checked in and saw the room that we’d find somewhere else. Moxy had rooms available and it was 1000% better. The AC kept us cold, the beds and linens were comfy. Great location. Bathroom was clean and shower was the best ..."

Reviewed on 29 June 2026

Moxy London Piccadilly Circus
Strand Palace Hotel

Strand Palace Hotel

4 out of 5
372 The Strand London England
The price is NZ$488 per night from 19 July to 20 July
NZ$488
19 July - 20 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (5,376 reviews)
"Perfect location, friendly and helpful staff"

Reviewed on 29 June 2026

Strand Palace Hotel
Otherwander Soho Pod Hotel

Otherwander Soho Pod Hotel

2 out of 5
91-92 Dean Street London England
The price is NZ$189 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$189
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, rainfall showerheads and climate control. Popular attractions Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (69 reviews)
"Interesting hotel All very new and clean. The pods were good although slightly tight getting into. Perfect shared bathroom facilities. My only issues were that there are no instructions on how to use the keypads so I was left locked out in the bedroom corridor until a member of staff was free to ..."

Reviewed on 30 June 2026

Otherwander Soho Pod Hotel
The Tower Hotel, by Thistle

The Tower Hotel, by Thistle

4 out of 5
St Katharine's Way London England
The price is NZ$350 per night from 26 July to 27 July
NZ$350
26 July - 27 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their ...
8.4/10 Very good! (10,242 reviews)
"No air conditioning in the room in the hot summer months. Otherwise, my stay was wonderful!"

Reviewed on 30 June 2026

The Tower Hotel, by Thistle
Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge

Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge

4 out of 5
200 Westminster Bridge Road London England
The price is NZ$587 per night from 26 July to 27 July
NZ$587
26 July - 27 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in London. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (5,962 reviews)
"Good location and can walk easily to Big Ben, Parliament and Eye of London. One can also find restaurants nearby."

Reviewed on 30 June 2026

Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus

Zedwell Piccadilly Circus

3 out of 5
Great Windmill Street London England
The price is NZ$237 per night from 26 July to 27 July
NZ$237
26 July - 27 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and premium bedding. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (5,865 reviews)
"For a one night work trip, I couldn’t fault the location and cleanliness of the hotel, it did exactly what I needed and on one of the hottest days of the year, the lack of windows and great air con were greatly appreciated. If I were to stay here for more than one night then I’d miss having a hairdryer ..."

Reviewed on 29 June 2026

Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
See all 30,763 properties in St James
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Our guide on where to stay in St James

Find the best St James areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A waterfront with modern buildings, including a curved structure with glass windows and a bridge overhead.

Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf is highly notable for its fantastic nightlife, and you might want to visit top sights like Crossrail Place Roof Garden and Museum of London Docklands. See more of London by jumping on the metro at Heron Quays DLR Station or Canary Wharf Underground Station.

A modern glass building, the Shard, and the Tower Bridge in the background during sunset.

London City Centre

Known for its fascinating museums, stunning river views and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in London City Centre. Top attractions like Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus are major draws. Catch the metro at Charing Cross Underground Station or Leicester Square Underground Station to see more of the city.

The exterior of the Covent Garden Market with the Punch & Judy theatre and Central Avenue entrance.

Covent Garden

The lively bars and colourful gardens are just a few top-rate features of the neighbourhood. Make a stop by Covent Garden Market or London Transport Museum while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Covent Garden Underground Station to get around town.

A large white archway with intricate carvings, surrounded by trees and people walking.

City of Westminster

Big Ben and Trafalgar Square are a few top attractions in City of Westminster. Hop around the city on the metro at St. James's Park Underground Station or Victoria Underground Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

A cityscape with modern skyscrapers and a distinctive dome-shaped building.

The City of London

The City of London is highly notable for its stunning cathedral, and you might want to visit top sights like St. Paul's Cathedral and Liverpool Street. See more of London by jumping on the metro at Bank Underground Station or St. Paul's Underground Station.

St James Travel Guide

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: