Providing a well-earned respite from a busy sightseeing schedule, St. James’s Park is a perfect place to rest weary feet, soak up the sun on simply take a stroll. This 23-hectare green space is London’s most central open area, within walking distance of three of the most treasured landmarks in the city Buckingham Palace, Palace of Westminster and St. James’s Palace.
Once the private hunting grounds of former British Monarchs, London’s eight vast green spaces are now open to the public for all to enjoy. These well-tended parks are treasured spaces in the city and have often been referred to as the “green lungs of London”.
Take a stroll after a busy day’s sightseeing at Buckingham palace, stroll through St. James’s Park and maybe stop off at the Queen Victoria Memorial Gardens. Join locals on the vast lawns during the summer months and enjoy the free live entertainment on offer. Hire a deckchair and witness the extraordinary wildlife that inhabit the surrounding area or visit the sanctuaries to see woodpeckers, owls and robins down by the lake.
Explore the park’s many avenues either on foot or bicycle and grab a bite to eat in one of the many cafés or pubs in the surrounding area. These magnificent tree- lined pathways are perfect for a romantic stroll or a family walk.
If visiting in June, you’re in for a treat when this green paradise transforms into a theatre of luxury Royal pomp. Witness the annual Trooping the Colour on Horse Guards Parade, where Her Majesty personally inspects the troops of the Household Division. The Royal Marines also perform their Beating retreat ceremony, a musical spectacular not to be missed, during the summer.
Centrally located, St. James’s Park is within walking distance of other attractions such as the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms, Admiralty Arch and the Institute of Contemporary Art. The Park is accessible via most major bus routes and has its own Underground Station.
