St. James’s Park, London
Image: St. James’s Park, London, UK - View of the London Eye - ©Travel Plans To Go
After visiting Buckingham Palace, head to St. James's Park, one of London's most beautiful and historic Royal Parks. It's an oasis in the city's heart where people rest on blankets, enjoy picnics and the gardens, watch birds and squirrels, and are entertained by many ducks and geese. St. James's Park covers 57 acres and is surrounded by iconic London landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, The Mall, and Horse Guards Parade.
History of St. James’s Park:
St. James's Park was founded in 1532 by King Henry VIII. It was initially a swampy hunting ground that underwent a series of transformations to become the park that it is known as today. Initially transformed in the early 17th century by King James I, who drained the swampy land and populated it with exotic animals such as camels, crocodiles, and exotic birds, the park was again redesigned in the late 17th century under King Charles II, who was inspired by the French gardens at Versailles. Charles II built walkways, planted trees, and was the first to open the park to the public. In the 1820s, architect John Nash redesigned the canal to make a more natural-looking lake, making the area even more beautiful and the much loved public space it is today.
Image: St. James’s Park, London, UK - ©Travel Plans To Go
What to see at St. James’s Park:
St. James’s Lake has two small islands, Duck Island and West Island, and you can see the many kinds of waterfowl found here, including ducks and the occasional Black Swan.
Visit Duck Island cottage and see the six Pelicans at feeding time between 2:30 pm and 3:00 pm, when they are fed fresh fish.
Walk across the Blue Bridge, which has views of Buckingham Palace and the London Eye.
Walk along The Mall, which is traditionally a ceremonial route between Buckingham Palace and Admiralty Arch.
Have a coffee at Storey’s Gate Café.
Grab a sandwich at one of the kiosks and relax in the park.
Rent a park deck chair, stay a while, and maybe read a book.
Enjoy the seasonal gardens.
See Horse Guards Parade, a significant parade ground where Trooping of the Colour - a celebration of the Monarch’s birthday- is held yearly.
See the Changing of the Guard. The main ceremony takes place at Buckingham Palace, but the procession passes through St. James’s Park.
Image: St. James’s Park, London, UK - View of Buckingham Palace - ©Travel Plans To Go
Visitor Tips:
Spring and summer are best when the flowers are in full bloom, and the weather is agreeable for a walk in the park.
Public toilets - there is a 20p charge to use the public toilets in the parks. This must be paid using a contactless system that accepts credit/debit cards, prepaid cards, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay. Cash is not accepted.
Swimming is not allowed in the lake.
The park is open from 5:00 am to midnight.
St. James’s Park is a beautiful oasis in central London that, although popular, never seems too busy. It’s a must-visit park for a break during a busy sightseeing day.