St. James's Park

The Basics

Purchased by King Henry VIII, landscaped by King James I, and redesigned in the French style by King Charles II, St. James’s Park has had a royal pedigree since its founding. In addition to its lawns, pond, and two small islands, the park also comprises the Mall (a grand processional thoroughfare) and Horse Guards Parade (a formal parade ground used for ceremonial events). Other highlights include its Blue Bridge, Memorial Gardens, and the soaring Queen Victoria Memorial, made from Carrara marble.

St. James’s Park is a popular, year-round destination in London; as it offers a prime vantage point on the Changing of the Guard ceremony, it is frequented by out-of-towners eager to take in the spectacle. The park can also be seen during hop-on hop-off bus tours, bike tours, walking tours, and other excursions.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Striped deck chairs can be rented for a small fee during daylight hours from March to October (except in times of bad weather).

• There are several eateries and kiosks in the park, the highlight of which is St. James’s Café.

• The park has wide paths with step-free access as well as wheelchair-accessible restrooms.

How to Get There

Via London Underground, take the Central or District line to St. James’s Park Station; the Circle, District, or Jubilee line to Westminster Station; or the Victoria, Circle, or District line—or numerous train lines—to Victoria Station. The park is also served by multiple bus lines and can be reached on foot, by taxi, or by bike.

When to Get There

St. James’s Park is open daily 5am–midnight and is free for all to visit. The park hosts several popular events throughout the year, including the Beating Retreat, a showcase of military drumming with music, cannonfire, and fireworks, also in June.

The Pelicans at St. James’s Park

One of the quirkier pieces of lore attached to St. James’s Park is its resident pelicans. In 1664, the Russian ambassador presented King Charles II with several pelicans as a gift, and the birds’ descendants have been park residents ever since. See if you can spot them fishing in the lake.

Ways to explore

Many travelers visit St. James’s Park with guided tours that cover nearby landmarks such as Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and St. James’s Palace. Some tours include entrance to Buckingham Palace and a chance to watch the Changing of the Guard, with the park offering a prime vantage point. Independent visitors can easily access the park via hop-on hop-off bus tours—some with River Thames cruises included—or explore on two wheels with one of several bike tours that pass through the park.

Accessibility

St. James’s Park is accessible to travelers using wheelchairs, with wide, flat paths. There are accessible restrooms, too.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Refillable water bottle, small bag, picnic supplies

What to wear

Comfortable shoes, hat and sunglasses on sunny days, layers

Not allowed

Feeding wildlife, swimming in the lake, littering

Amenities

Cafés, restrooms, food kiosks, water fountains

Address

It’s easy to travel to St. James’s Park via the tube to several nearby stations, including St. James’s Park. Some visitors also visit on hop-on hop-off bus tours or guided walking tours.

Driving

There is no on-site parking at St. James’s Park, so driving isn’t recommended. If you do drive, head to nearby Hyde Park car parks or use on-street meters. The park is within the Congestion Charge zone, so be aware you’ll need to pay that if you do drive, plus the ULEZ fee if your vehicle is eligible.

Public transportation

It’s easy to get to the park by tube. Use the Circle or District lines to St. James’s Park station, or the Jubilee, Victoria, or Piccadilly lines to Green Park.

Best times to visit

If you’re interested in seeing the pelicans being fed, come between 2:30pm and 3pm each day.

Best days to visit

Weekends at the park are busy, so plan a weekday trip for a quieter experience.

Best months to visit

It’s best to come when it’s warm outside, but London weather is unpredictable, so aim for June through September if you can.

Special events

Trooping the Colour, a military parade marking the King’s official birthday, takes place in June. The London Marathon also runs alongside the park in April.