ST JAMES PARK LONDON

St. James Park, bordered by Buckingham Palace and the Mall, is among the most popular and the oldest royal parks. It is located in central London, in the area once the site of a lepers hospital for women. It is a good place to look for peace surrounded by nature. On tour to London, it is a must-visit attraction in the city.

St. James Park originated in 1532 when Henry VIII purchased it from Eton College. He then transformed this into a personal deer-hunting and duck-shooting ground. Then, Charles III redesigned the park into more like the gardens of Versailles in France and opened it to the public. During his reign, he used the park to entertain his guests and mistresses. Discover more about this historical park with our Europe tour packages.

In 1828, John Nash redesigned the land with trees, lawns, and gardens under the orders of George IV and transformed the original canal into a "naturally-shaped" lake. It has been named after James Less, one of Christ's Twelve Apostles. It serves the visitors with fine views of Big Ben, and the London Eye makes it one of London's most scenic spots. It forms a perfect place for rest or picnic along with sightseeing. It has a large collection of waterfowl, including a colony of pelicans, a gift from the Russian ambassador in 1664. It has been an encouragement for the development of many other urban parks and green spaces in London. 

The Park offers a supreme view location and is the place for national celebrations and ceremonial parades. Also called to be a synonym for tranquility, it is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city in the city.

Highlights

• St. James Park is located in the vicinity of famous attractions like Buckingham Palace, The Mall, St. James’s Palace, Horse Guards, and the Birdcage Walk.
• St. James Park is home to 15 species of birds, the most famous being the resident colony of pelicans. Some other creatures in the park include squirrels, water birds, ducks, geese, swans, woodpeckers, owls, and much more which can easily be spotted here.
• The Blue Bridge, located above the lake, gives stunning views of Buckingham Palace. Swire fountain, the Horse Guards Parade, and Whitehall Court can be seen from the east of St. James Park.
• There are two islands within the boundaries of St. James Park named West Island and Duck Island.
• Park has two memorials, one for commemorating the Guards' soldiers' regiments and another for the Royal Artillery South Africa Memorial. They were built to commemorate the Royal artillery who died during the Boer Wars.

How To Reach

One could reach there via tube, train or by bus. The nearest station is St. James's Park, within walking distance of two minutes from the park. If traveling by train, the Victoria Station is nearest to the park and is just 13 minutes away from the park. Also one can reach there by bus on the routes 3, 11, 12, 24, 29, 53, 77a, 88, 91, 148, 159, 211, and 453.

Read More: Places To Visit In London

Best Time To Visit

St. James Park is open every day from 5 am to midnight throughout the year. However, the best time to visit this park would be between 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm, as during those hours of the day, the pelicans are fed by the park staff.

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Other Essential Information

• Check the official site before visiting St. James Park, as there are times when events are scheduled. 
• The blue bridge offers you the best views of some of the major attractions of the London city like the London Eye, the Horse Guards Parade, and Big Ben or Buckingham Palace.
• To witness some of the most famous architecture in London, one could take a seven-mile walk through St. James Park with Hyde Park, Green Park, and the Kensington Gardens along the way.

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