St James's Park

What to expect

St James's Park is the oldest of the Royal Parks and covers about 23 hectares in the heart of Westminster. Henry VIII enclosed the marshy ground as a deer park, James I had it drained, and Charles II turned it into a formal garden with a canal and opened it to the public. John Nash redesigned it in the 1820s, turning the canal into the more natural lake you see.

Today it is a gentle green break between Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade. A path runs along the lake with two small islands, and the Blue Bridge in the middle gives you views both ways: to the palace in one direction and the towers of Whitehall in the other. Pelicans have lived here since 1664, when a Russian ambassador gave birds to Charles II. A playground makes it easy to stop with children.

Don't miss

• Pelicans on the lake
• View from the Blue Bridge
• Buckingham Palace across the water
• Horse Guards Parade to the east
• Duck Island and the waterfowl

Tips for your visit

• Stand on the Blue Bridge around sunset for the best views of the palace and Whitehall.
• Look for the pelicans around the lake; they have lived here for centuries.
• Use it as a quiet walking link between Buckingham Palace and Big Ben or Trafalgar Square.
• It's a good spot with children thanks to the playground and the birds.