Create your free account
Sign in to your account
Search over 1,000,000 properties worldwide and 550 airlines worldwide.
Search over a million flights, hotels, packages, and more
No Expedia cancellation fee to change or cancel almost any hotel reservation.
St James Park
Surrounded by three of the most important royal residences, Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and St James’s Palace, as well as the Houses of Parliament, St James’s Park is truly at the epicentre of London’s ceremonial traditions.
It’s the oldest of the eight Royal Parks, dating back to the purchase of the land in 1532 by King Henry VIII. Although it has undergone many transformations, the park you see today is little-changed from the design initiated by John Nash in 1827, as part of a huge project that created many of London’s famous landmarks, including Regent Street and Regent’s Park.
Explore the winding paths on foot or on two wheels, or just lay back on a hired deckchair looking out over the serene lake? The two islands serve as important bird sanctuaries for woodpeckers, owls and robins. And if you are around in the early afternoon, you may even catch a glimpse of the pelicans, fed each day by the park’s Wildlife Officers.
Starting at the west border of the park, head to the Queen Victoria Memorial which commemorates the monarch’s death in 1901. This 25-metre high white marble statue stands in front of Buckingham Palace, and is surrounded by the colourful Memorial Gardens.
Do not miss the world-famous Changing the Guard ceremony, which takes place each day both at Buckingham Palace and on Horse Guards Parade at the east end of St James’s Park. If you are lucky enough to be in London in June, nothing will provide you with a more vibrant picture of Britain’s royal pageantry than Trooping the Colour, a ceremony to mark the Queen’s official birthday, also on Horse Guards Parade. You’ll have the opportunity to see the monarch herself inspecting the troops of the Household Division in all their traditional finery. Also in June, you will be treated to the musical spectacular of Beating Retreat featuring the UK’s finest military musicians.
St James’s Park is open all year round, and the closest Underground station is St James’s Park.
Popular Activities at St. James Park
Make the most of your visit to St. James Park. Here's a list of the top things to do:
When organising your visit, you may want to think about buying a Ghost Walk or an Animal Tour in London.
Have a look at our London things to do page to find more activities in the area.
Guide to Exploring St. James Park
Top Hotel Deals
The Strand Palace Hotel
372 The Strand, London, EnglandLocated in London City Centre, this eco-friendly hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Covent Garden Market, Piccadilly Circus, and London Dungeon. Big Ben and Buckingham Palace are also within 1 mi (2 km). Charing Cross Underground Station is 5 minutes by foot and Covent Garden Underground Station is 5 minutes.
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
200 Westminster Bridge Road, London, EnglandLocated in London City Centre, this spa hotel is steps from Southbank Centre Book Market and Florence Nightingale Museum. St. Thomas' Hospital and Sea Life London Aquarium are also within 5 minutes. Waterloo Underground Station is only a 4-minute walk and Lambeth North Underground Station is 6 minutes.
St. James' Court, A Taj Hotel, London
54 Buckingham Gate, London, EnglandLocated in London City Centre, this spa hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Buckingham Palace, Victoria Palace Theatre, and Apollo Victoria Theatre. St. James Park and Westminster Abbey are also within 10 minutes. St. James's Park Underground Station is only a 3-minute walk and Victoria Underground Station is 7 minutes.
The Grosvenor Hotel
101 Buckingham Palace Road, London, EnglandLocated in London City Centre, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Apollo Victoria Theatre and Victoria Palace Theatre. Buckingham Palace and Green Park are also within 15 minutes. Victoria Underground Station and London Victoria Rail Station are within a 2-minute walk.
Marlin Waterloo
111 Westminster Bridge Road, London, EnglandLocated in London City Centre, this aparthotel is within a 10-minute walk of Imperial War Museum, Westminster Bridge, and Sea Life London Aquarium. Coca-Cola London Eye and Big Ben are also within 15 minutes. Lambeth North Underground Station is only a 2-minute walk and Waterloo Underground Station is 8 minutes.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London - Westminster
30 John Islip Street, Westminster, London, EnglandLocated in London City Centre, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Tate Britain and Houses of Parliament. Westminster Abbey and Big Ben are also within 15 minutes. Pimlico Underground Station is 10 minutes by foot and Westminster Underground Station is 13 minutes.
The Grand at Trafalgar Square
8 Northumberland Avenue, London, EnglandLocated in London City Centre, this boutique hotel is steps from Nelson's Column and The Strand. St. Martin-in-the-Fields and Trafalgar Square are also within 5 minutes. Charing Cross Underground Station and Embankment Station are within a 5-minute walk.
Sea Containers London
20 Upper Ground, London, EnglandLocated in London City Centre, this luxury hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Tate Modern and Coca-Cola London Eye. The Shard and Big Ben are also within 1 mi (2 km). Southwark Underground Station is 8 minutes by foot and Blackfriars Underground Station is 8 minutes.