St. James’s Park

St. James’s Park is arguably London’s loveliest park. It is surrounded on all four sides by famous London landmarks.

To the north you have St. James’s Palace and The Mall – the red-bricked road that leads to the Queen’s official residence. To the east you have Horse Guard’s Parade and Admiralty House.

To the south you have a lovely walk from Parliament Square to the Royal Mews, and to the west of the park you have Buckingham Palace itself, with the Queen Victoria Memorial. Don’t miss the views across the lake – stand on the footbridge for the best snap of the Palace.

History of St. James’s Park

St. James’s Park is both the oldest and smallest of London’s royal parks, built by Henry VIII in 1536. It is built on land once owned by the St. James’s leper hospital. The burial ground (where Green Park stands today) was drained and stocked with deer.

Most of the trees were then chopped down and James I laid out some formal gardens, including a small zoo and aviary. Charles II then hired André Le Notre, designer of the gardens at the Palace of Versailles, to spruce up the grounds and opened them the public in the mid 17th-century.

When Charles II died in 1685 the park fell into disrepair, and became a favourite haunt of prostitutes. John Nash was hired in 1827 to make improvements, and the result is what you see today.

Duck Island, and Birdcage Walk

St. James’s Park is famous for its birds. Duck Island is home to flamingos, pelicans, gulls, geese and ducks. You can also stroll down Birdcage Walk – named after the aviary built by James I.