Are you ready for some charm and tranquility during your whirlwind London tour? Then step into St. James Park and leave the hustle and bustle of the big city behind you.
This delightful public area was once the royal family’s private hunting ground, and it is now 58 acres of winding paths, ponds, and forest area. A St. James Park tour must include a stroll down the Mall, which connects the park to Buckingham Palace and the Admiralty Arch. The Arch, which is actually three arches contained in one imposing structure, was completed in 1912 in memory of Queen Victoria. From that point, you can walk directly to Trafalgar Square, which is also full of historic monuments and structures.
You’re bound to get hungry or thirsty during your St. James Park sightseeing, so make sure you purchase a snack or beverage at one of the many stands and kiosks throughout the park. Don’t forget to stop at the Horse Guards Parade, where you can find several beautiful memorials. If you’re lucky, you may even witness one of the elaborate military ceremonies that occur here.
A stroll through St. James Park is your chance for a quiet afternoon spent in a serene setting. During the summer, it’s the perfect place to stretch out on a grassy hill and catch some rays. Just remember to pack sunscreen!
How will you spend your time in St. James Park?
Royal processions, paddle boats, military parades and fluttering waterfowl liven up the environs of St. James’s, London's oldest park.
St. James’s Park is a sparkling green-and-blue jewel right in the royal heart of London's pageantry. Buckingham Palace gleams to the west, the avenue of the Mall – where kings and queens, princesses and princes have ridden – runs along its north, while to the east sits the military glory of the Horse Guards Parade. You'd be hard-pressed to find a park more connected to the ceremonial splendour of the British royal family than St. James’s Park.
The park is in fact the oldest in London, once an area of marshland that was bought by Henry VIII. It was drained by King James I in 1603. He had it landscaped, with lakes and gardens created, and space made for his collection of exotic animals – including crocodiles, camels and even an elephant. It's now home mainly to walkers, joggers, picnickers, and occasional horse-riders, who come to enjoy long rides surrounded by its tree-speckled lawns, quiet ponds and lakes.
It is still famous for its wildlife inhabitants, too. As well as a profusion of ducks and geese and bright waterfowl, it is also home to pelicans – all descended from birds gifted to the king by the Russian ambassador in the 17th century. Duck Island, with its quaint cottage, is one of the most famous landmarks here, a place for walkers to admire, boaters to row around, and ducks to waddle on.
June is one of the best times to come here. You'll get to see the Trooping the Colour on Horse Guards Parade – held to mark the Queen’s birthday – with its bands, marching soldiers and proud cavalry. And you'll also be able to catch the precision drilling, and military spectacle of Beating the Retreat, acted out for 2 evenings of the month. But whether with, or without the excitement of ceremony and parade, St. James’s Park is still a wonderful way to get close to the colour of London's regal past, present and future.
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