Things to Do Near St James’s Park
Date post added: 25th June 2026
If you like your green spaces with a dash of scarlet, St James’s Park is the one for you. Of all the royal parks, this is probably the most royal. Soldiers in scarlet tunics and glimpses of the Royal Family are pretty regular features here.
Tranquil St James’s Park manages to feel both miles away from busy central London and right at the very heart of it. You can relax beside colourful flowerbeds and watch ducks and pelicans glide across the lake. But the next minute you’re surrounded by royal processions, black cabs and tourists hunting for Buckingham Palace.
You can easily while away the hours in this historic royal park. There’s plenty to see and do within the park itself. But St James’s Park is also surrounded by top attractions to visit. Here, we’ll share some of our favourite things to do in and around St James’s Park.
Where is St James’s Park?
Address: St James’s Park, London SW1A 2BJ
Opening hours: 5 am to midnight all year round
St James’s Park sits in the heart of London’s Westminster with Mayfair and Victoria on its doorstep. It’s surrounded by some of London’s most recognisable landmarks. Buckingham Palace stands to the west, Horse Guards Parade to the east and The Mall runs alongside it. As neighbours go, that’s an impressive flanking.
The nearest tube station is St James’s Park underground station (District and Circle lines), which is a five-minute walk away. You can also easily walk from Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo lines), Westminster (Jubilee, District and Circle lines) and Green Park (Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria) underground stations. Plenty of buses stop here too.
A brief history of St James’s Park
St James’s Park is the oldest of London’s royal parks. Like many things in Westminster, its history involves royalty, palaces and a hefty dose of showing off.
Back in the 1500s, the area was little more than marshland beside a leper hospital. It was dedicated to St James the Less and that’s where the park gets its name. King Henry VIII acquired the land in 1532 and transformed it into a hunting ground for deer while St James’s Palace was being built nearby.
In the 17th century, things became considerably more glamorous under King Charles II. Inspired by the formal gardens he’d seen in France, he had the park redesigned with grand avenues and ornamental landscaping. It quickly became a fashionable place for London society to stroll, gossip and be seen.
The famous St James’s Park lake was added in the 1800s. It was part of a redesign by architect John Nash who was also responsible for Regent’s Park. Nash helped create the softer, more natural look you can enjoy today.
What can you do at St. James’s Park?
What can’t you do in St James’s Park? There are many ways to spend your time in this delightful West End park.
Wander across the famous Blue Bridge for stunning views of Buckingham Palace at one end and the London Eye peeking through the skyline at the other. Grab a cuppa and claim a deckchair for a spot of people watching. Or you can simply stroll the lakeside paths like you’re in a period drama.
Duck Island is the nature reserve that’s home to the park’s bird collection. The quaint 17th century cottage on Duck Island once belonged to the royal duck keeper.
From ducks to pelicans. Yes, real pelicans. St James’s Park has housed pelicans since 1664, when they were gifted to King Charles II by a Russian ambassador. They’ve become one of the park’s quirkiest traditions and are still very much the stars of the show.
If you need refreshments, there are a couple of kiosks as well as the café beside the St James’s Park lake.
Head to Horse Guards Parade, the ceremonial parade ground in St James’s Park. It’s the scene of Trooping the Colour on the King’s official birthday in June.
Make your way along The Mall too. This grand, processional route was created in honour of Queen Victoria. It’s truly the place where pomp meets ceremony.
What are the best attractions to visit near St James’s Park?
One of the great things about St James’s Park is its proximity to other major London landmarks.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, London’s most famous royal address, is just moments away. From the edge of the park, you can position yourself perfectly to get a photo in front of this majestic royal house.
Our Royal London walk is perfectly time to ensure you’re here in time for the Changing of the Guard.
St James’s Palace
Older and arguably more mysterious, St James’s Palace is also nearby. It has a distinctive red-brick façade. It remains a working royal residence and has been connected to the monarchy since the reign of King Henry VIII.
Clarence House
Clarence House is another historic royal residence on The Mall. It’s right beside St James’s Palace. Currently, it’s the official London home of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The ground floor opens to the public in summer months if you fancy a peek behind the grand doors.
Green Park
For another dose of greenery, Green Park is just around the corner. Unlike St James’s Park, it skips the flowerbeds and ornamental flair in favour of expanses of lawn and shaded pathways. It’s a popular spot for a lunchtime sandwich or bento box on a summer’s day.
Houses of Parliament
Around a 10-15 minute walk from St James’s Park, you’ll find the iconic Houses of Parliament. It’s an epic walk too as you’ll pass Trafalgar Square and the important street that is Whitehall. Head to Westminster Bridge for your obligatory selfie in front of Big Ben.
Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk
For a quieter, more reflective experience, follow the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk. It’s seven miles long, so you may opt to simply wander along a small section near the park.
Marked by elegant rose-shaped plaques in the pavement, it links some of Princess Diana’s most significant London locations, including St James’s Park, Kensington Gardens and Buckingham Palace.
You can explore this further on our unmissable walking tour around Diana’s Kensington. It’s led by a fascinating TV producer who actually spent considerable time with Princess Diana at Kensington Palace and beyond.
Afternoon tea
If all that royal sightseeing leaves you craving tea in a fine bone china cup, you’re in luck.
Afternoon tea at the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly is an exceptional experience. The Wolseley and The Ritz offer equally impressive afternoon tea options nearby. For more affordable afternoon tea options in London, check out our recommendations.
Our Royal London walks
If you’d like to hear the tales behind the history. To discover the hidden gems as well as the well-known London landmarks. Take a walking tour with our exceptionally knowledgeable guides. They’re wonderful storytellers as well as navigators.
- Past the palace
- Royal London
- Princess Diana’s Kensington
- The old palace quarter
- The Tower of London
- Old Kensington: London’s royal village
Spend an afternoon around St James’s Park
St James’s Park feels wonderfully, unapologetically London. It’s royal but relaxed. Historic, yet full of everyday life. Whether you’re here for palace spotting, wildlife watching or simply somewhere beautiful to press pause, it’s an absolute gem. In fact, any park with resident pelicans deserves at least an afternoon of your time.
With so much to explore nearby, St James’s Park’s perfectly positioned for the start or end a stint of sightseeing. What better way to see those sights than on a London Walks guided tour? It’s the best way to get to know an area of the city, learn its history and truly understand a place.
Pippa Jackson
Pippa is a word nerd and content aficionado with a background of working in TV on both sides of the globe. She loves to discover and share the diverse and wonderful stories of her much-loved London. When she’s not writing blogs and articles, you’ll find her walking beside the Thames or even paddleboarding on it (in the finest of conditions only!) or enjoying a coffee in the sunshine with a good book.
David Tucker
David – the Seigneur of this favoured realm – broods over words, breeds enthusiasms and is “unmanageable.”* He’s a balterer, literary historian, university lecturer, journalist, logophile and lifelong thanatophobe. For good measure, he’s the doyen of London guides.