St James's Park
About St James's Park
The oldest Royal Park in London, set between Buckingham Palace and Whitehall, famous for its lake, resident pelicans and postcard views of the palace.
History & Heritage
St James's Park is the oldest of the Royal Parks, taking its name from a leper hospital dedicated to St James the Less that once stood on the site. King Henry VIII acquired the marshy land in 1532, and it was King James I who first drained it and kept an exotic menagerie here. King Charles II later remodelled the park in a formal French style and opened it to the public.
The park's most famous residents are its pelicans, first presented to King Charles II by a Russian ambassador in 1664. The tradition continues today, and the pelicans are fed daily beside the lake. In the 1820s the architect John Nash redesigned the park in the naturalistic style seen today, creating the curving lake and romantic planting that frame the celebrated views of Buckingham Palace.
What to Expect
Expect beautifully maintained flower beds, a graceful lake alive with waterfowl, and some of the best views in London — from the Blue Bridge you can see Buckingham Palace in one direction and the domes and spires of Whitehall in the other. The resident pelicans are fed daily, usually in the afternoon, and lakeside deckchairs and a café make it a favourite spot for relaxing in the heart of ceremonial London.
Known For
Features & Facilities
- Ornamental lake
- Pelican feeding
- Flower beds
- Café
- Deckchairs
- Waterfowl
Frequently Asked Questions
- When are the pelicans fed in St James's Park?
- The park's pelicans are typically fed daily between 2.30pm and 3pm near Duck Island Cottage on the eastern side of the lake, a popular spectacle for visitors.
- Can you see Buckingham Palace from St James's Park?
- Yes, the view of Buckingham Palace from the Blue Bridge over the lake is one of the most photographed in London.
- Is St James's Park close to other attractions?
- Yes, the park sits between Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards Parade and Westminster, making it ideal to combine with the Changing of the Guard and other ceremonial sights.
More London Parks
Hyde Park
One of London's largest and most famous Royal Parks, home to the Serpentine lake, Speakers' Corner and 350 acres of open parkland in the heart of the city.
Regent's Park
An elegant Royal Park designed by John Nash, famous for Queen Mary's Gardens, the Open Air Theatre, London Zoo and beautifully manicured formal gardens.
Green Park
A tranquil Royal Park of mature trees and open lawns linking Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly, known for its simplicity, spring daffodils and memorials.