Today, let's head to St James's Park in London, a royal park of 23 hectares (about 57 acres) right in the heart of the British capital, with views of Buckingham Palace, the Horse Guards and even the London Eye. It is one of London's most iconic parks, right in central London, easy to reach and full of everyday London life.
By crossing the park, you can walk from Buckingham Palace to Westminster, watch squirrels and pelicans, or simply take a break by the lake.
Here's a complete guide to visiting St James's Park: what to see, where to walk, how to get there, when to go, and how to easily include it in your visit to London. If you're looking for a quintessential London green space with a picture-postcard setting, St James's Park truly deserves a spot in your itinerary.
- St James's Park is a royal park right in central London, ideal for walking between Buckingham Palace and Westminster.
- There you'll see squirrels, many birds and especially a small colony of pelicans that are fed every day near Duck Island Cottage.
- The park offers beautiful views of Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and the Horse Guards buildings along a peaceful lake.
- St James's Park is open free of charge every day, generally from 5 a.m. to midnight, and is easily accessible via several Underground stations.
- You can combine a visit to the park with the Changing of the Guard, the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Walk, or a visit to the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace in summer.
Why visit St James's Park in London?
St James's Park is a quintessential London royal park: historic, central and lively, where you can easily move from a postcard-perfect view to a quieter spot by the water.
Discovering a royal park surrounded by Buckingham, Westminster and the Horse Guards
One of the things that makes St James's Park special is that it is surrounded by some of London's most famous buildings. On one side, you have the legendary Buckingham Palace and the imposing Victoria Memorial; on the other, the Horse Guards, the official headquarters of part of the royal guard, with its uniformed soldiers you often catch sight of as you pass.
As you follow the paths, you can also see, in the background, the London Eye and the rooftops of Westminster, with the Houses of Parliament a little farther away. The park forms a green link between several iconic landmarks, which makes it an excellent starting point or walking route during a classic day of sightseeing in London.
Strolling through a landscape shaped by kings, from the canal to today's lake
St James's Park offers a unique landscape, shaped by several centuries of history.
Originally, this area was bought by King Henry VIII, who already saw it as a hunting ground and place for recreation just steps from his residence. As is often the case with London's royal parks, each monarch gradually left their mark, transforming the landscape of St James's Park over the centuries.
Charles II, influenced by his stay in France and by the gardens of royal residences, had the area redesigned as a French-style garden with a large central canal. Later, under the influence of George IV, this canal would be reshaped to become the lake you see today, lined with winding paths, lawns and flowerbeds. These changes explain the rather harmonious blend of more classical vistas and more informal areas, typical of English gardens.
Enjoying abundant wildlife: squirrels, birds... and pelicans
St James's Park is also a great place to reconnect with nature and encounter a surprisingly diverse range of wildlife.
Over the centuries, the wildlife has changed a great deal, reflecting the tastes of successive monarchs. James I introduced exotic animals into the park: at the time, you might sometimes come across crocodiles and elephants along these now so peaceful paths. At the beginning of the 18th century, there were even cows here, and you could buy local milk right here in the park.
Today, the atmosphere is calmer, but wildlife is still abundant, with a large population of gray squirrels that readily approach visitors, and a wide variety of water birds that make the most of the lake and its islands.
The presence of pelicans is one of St James's Park's most unusual features. This tradition dates back to 1664, when a Russian ambassador gave pelicans to the city of London. Since then, the colony has been regularly renewed, and successive generations of pelicans have lived in the park.
The pelicans are not particularly shy, so you can easily watch them from a short distance although it's important to leave them in peace and avoid approaching or touching them, as they can peck. They often stay near the Horse Guards building, on the lawns along the lake, where they move around with an unhurried confidence that often catches visitors’ attention.
Admiring Duck Island and the lake islands
Most of the park's birds nest on Duck Island, one of the two islands in the lake, along with West Island. Duck Island is on the Horse Guards side of the lake and is home to a small, picturesque house, Duck Island Cottage, which adds to the area's charm. The birds move freely between the islands and the banks, where they are regularly watched by visitors.
At one time, the park had a reputation as a rather scandalous meeting place for romantic encounters, but today it is very popular with families, joggers, office workers on their lunch break, and visitors passing through. It is a place where you can really feel the rhythm of London, where landscaped nature sits just steps from the heart of British government.
What to do in St James's Park during your visit to London?
St James's Park is perfect for a leisurely walk, watching the animals, and stopping at a few key viewpoints to enjoy the view of Buckingham Palace, the surrounding monuments, and the lake.
Walks, benches by the lake, and viewpoints not to miss
The first thing to do in St James's Park is simply to walk at your own pace, sit down on a bench, and enjoy the view. Following the paths that run along the lake, you'll come across several excellent viewpoints: Buckingham Palace perfectly aligned at the end of a bridge, the London Eye in the background, and the white facades of government buildings reflected in the water.
If you enjoy photography, give yourself some time to stop and look for the best compositions, especially on the bridge that crosses the lake, which is often very popular for its views. The park is pleasant in every season, with a peaceful atmosphere even in winter, when the mist sometimes adds a slightly mysterious feel to everyday scenes.
Watching the squirrels and birds without disturbing the wildlife
The squirrels of St James's Park are part of the scenery, and it is rare to cross the park without seeing one come closer, climb up a tree trunk, or run across the path. They are used to humans and sometimes come very close, especially if someone takes out a bag of food. Waterfowl – ducks, geese, seagulls, cormorants – are just as present on the lake and along its banks.
I recommend simply watching them without feeding the animals, as human food is not suited to their diet. Taking a few minutes simply to observe their interactions is often enough to add a memorable moment to your visit, especially if you are traveling with a child.
Watching the pelicans being fed, a daily event
The pelicans of St James's Park are fed every day by the keepers, usually in the early afternoon near Duck Island Cottage, on the side of the lake opposite Buckingham Palace. Feeding usually takes place around 2:30 pm, although it can vary depending on the keepers' schedule.
Arriving a little early lets you settle in quietly by the lakeside and watch the birds gathering. Children tend to love it, and adults often do too, because you really appreciate just how large these birds are when you see them moving just a few yards away.
Admiring the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace
When you leave St James's Park on the Buckingham Palace side, you naturally arrive in front of the imposing Victoria Memorial. Set in the middle of a large intersection, it rises to about 25 meters high (about 82 ft) and weighs more than 2300 tonnes of white marble.
If it's your first visit, you'll probably be struck by its size and by the contrast between the whiteness of the monument and Buckingham Palace's slightly golden facade. It’s an easy place to linger for a few minutes, either to take photos or to watch the crowds moving between the palace, the park, and The Mall, the ceremonial avenue leading to Trafalgar Square.
Follow the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk
St James's Park is one of the four royal parks linked by the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk, a signposted walk of more than 11 km (about 7 miles).
By following this route, you walk through St James's Park, Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, connecting several places associated with the life of Princess Diana. Markers set into the ground in the form of medallions help you follow the route, which you can do all at once or in sections depending on how much walking you feel like doing.
It is a pleasant way to discover London's green spaces, while passing through very well-known places such as Kensington Palace, the banks of the Serpentine or the large lawns of Hyde Park.
The Diana memorial walk is free and accessible at all times, and requires no booking or ticket. You just need to look out for the medallions set into the ground bearing the princess's name to follow the route at your own pace.
Enjoy St James's Park on the day of the Changing of the Guard
St James's Park is also a great place to start if you're planning to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. The park's paths make it easy to reach the various palace gates and to move around depending on the crowds. After the ceremony, many people head straight back to the tube, but taking the time to walk back through the park is a much calmer way to continue your day.
I’ve written a full guide to the Changing of the Guard in London if you need detailed advice on the schedule, the best viewpoints and how to plan your visit.
Visit the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace in summer
In summer, you can combine your visit to St James's Park with the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace, which are open to the public for a limited period. In general, they are open from late July to early October, when the sovereign is staying in another official residence.
Tickets are in high demand, especially at weekends and around school holidays, so it is essential to book them in advance. The State Rooms offer a glimpse of the official part of the palace, with several rooms used during receptions and ceremonies. A visit pairs perfectly with a walk in St James's Park before or after, so you can take a break in a more informal setting.
Practical information for visiting St James's Park
Visiting St James's Park is very simple: access is free, it has long opening hours and several Tube stations are within easy reach of the different entrances.
Opening hours of St James's Park
St James's Park is open all year round, generally from 5 a.m. to midnight. These long opening hours mean you can either walk through in the morning, when the light is soft and there are few visitors, or end a day of sightseeing there before getting back on the tube.
The park is also lovely in the evening, especially in spring and summer when the days are long, but it is best to stay on the main paths as soon as the light starts to fade. In winter, it gets dark early, so try to aim to visit in the early afternoon if you want to enjoy the views of Buckingham Palace and the lake in full daylight.
Where is St James's Park and how do you get there?
St James's Park is right in central London, in Westminster, just a few minutes' walk from Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the Palace of Westminster. Several Underground stations are within walking distance, making it easy to reach no matter where you are coming from in the city. The park is also well served by London buses, with routes running along the surrounding streets.
| When to choose this station? | Underground station | Lines | Access to the park |
|---|---|---|---|
| If you are coming directly to see Buckingham Palace and want to start from the north side of the park. | Green Park | Piccadilly, Jubilee, Victoria | Exit toward Buckingham, then take The Mall or the paths that lead down into St James's Park. |
| If you would like to enter the park from the south and then walk back up toward the palace or Westminster. | St James's Park | District, Circle | Exits on Broadway and Petty France, just a few steps from the park's southern entrances. |
| If you are combining a visit to St James's Park with Trafalgar Square or the Covent Garden area. | Charing Cross | Northern, Bakerloo (+ regional trains) | About a 10-minute walk via Whitehall or The Mall to reach the park. |
| If you are coming from neighborhoods further west and want to arrive near the Victoria Memorial. | Victoria | Victoria, District, Circle | 10–15 minutes on foot via Buckingham Palace Road to the palace, then enter the park. |
| If you are also planning to visit Westminster Abbey and Big Ben on the same walk. | Westminster | Jubilee, District, Circle | Easy walking access to the southeast corner of the park after walking along the Houses of Parliament. |
How much time should you plan for St James's Park?
For a relaxed visit to St James's Park, plan on 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your pace and how often you want to stop. A quick walk across the park, for example to go from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament, can be done in about twenty minutes, but you may miss the viewpoints and the chance to watch the animals.
If you enjoy taking photos, are traveling with a child, or happen to be there during the pelican feeding, allow about an hour. For a longer walk that includes the Diana Memorial Walk and the other parks, allow for about half a day, or even more if you stop often.
Which other places can you combine with a visit to St James's Park?
St James's Park fits easily into many sightseeing itineraries in London, as it is located within easy walking distance of several major sights. You can combine it with Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard, but also with Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, or even the parks that extend it to the west.
I quite like the idea of weaving it into your sightseeing route throughout the day, alternating between visiting monuments and taking breaks in the park, rather than treating it as a stand-alone activity.
| When to choose this combination? | Suggested route | Approximate duration |
|---|---|---|
| If you are coming to London for the first time and want to see several of London's major sights in half a day. | Buckingham Palace → Crossing St James's Park → Westminster Abbey → Big Ben and Houses of Parliament. | 3 to 4 hours depending on photo stops. |
| If you enjoy walking and want to explore several parks in the same day. | Kensington Gardens → Hyde Park → Green Park → St James's Park via the Diana Memorial Walk. | Half a day to a full day. |
| If you are planning a day focused on the royal family. | Changing of the Guard at Buckingham → St James's Park → Victoria Memorial → Buckingham State Rooms (in summer). | Most of a day, allowing some extra time. |
| If you like museums and a mix of experiences within a small area. | St James's Park → Trafalgar Square → National Gallery → return via The Mall and the park. | 3 to 5 hours depending on time spent in the museum. |
Traveler's memo for visiting St James's Park in London
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about visiting St James's Park in London, to help you plan your time in this royal park.
In short, St James's Park is one of those places where you can catch your breath between two major London sights, while still staying in the heart of the city and its history. Whether you come to see the pelicans, to walk across the park on your way to Westminster, or to combine it with the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, it fits naturally into many different itineraries. I hope this information will help you fit it into your itinerary, even if it is "only" for a half-hour walk between two sights.
