St James's Park is London's oldest Royal Park, and lies at the heart of London covering 23 hectares (58 acres). It has three Royal Palaces on its border: Buckingham Palace, St James Palace and Westminster Palace (Parliament,) and is considered by many to be the most beautiful of London's Royal Parks because of its views, its waterfowl and its flower displays.
The park contains a man-made lake over which crosses the Blue Bridge. From one side of the bridge there is a wonderful view of Buckingham Palace, while on the other there are equally fine views of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the London Eye. The Lake is home to many waterfowl, especially of note are the five pelican's that call St James's Park home, and which can usually be found within the vicinity of Duck Island, one of the two small islands on the Park's Lake.
St James's Park is also home to the Mall, London's ceremonial route that runs from Admiralty Arch to Buckingham Palace, which is used on State visits, when the Queen and visiting head of State are escorted in a carriage to Buckingham Palace. The park has many pathways, the most famous being Birdcage Walk, which borders the Park's South side.
St James's Park was originally marshy water meadow, and takes its name from a 13th century leper hospital for woman, that was dedicated to St James's the lesser. In 1532 King Henry VIII purchased the land from Eton College and stocked it with dear for hunting, he also commissioned the construction of St James's Palace. In 1603 King James I order the marshy land to be drained and landscaped, and kept a small menagerie of exotic animals and birds in the park.
When Charles II returned from exile in France he ordered the park to be redesigned in the style of the elaborate gardens of French Royal palaces, during this restyling a large canal was created that ran through the park's centre. On its completion Charles's I opened the park to the public and was himself a frequent visitor, often entertaining his mistresses here, including Nell Gwyn.
The park took its present form in 1826-27 when the Prince Regent (later George IV) commissioned John Nash, London's great Regency architecture, to redesign the park. Nash remodelled the canal into a lake, and created winding pathways in place of straight boulevards, and shrubberies in place of formal flower beds.
Opening Times
5am until midnight all year round.
Nearest Tube Stations
St. James's Park & Charing Cross
External link
Official St James's Web Site
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