St. James's Park, London (must see)
Once upon a royal time, a queen casually asked her courtier how much it would cost to kick the public out of St. James鈥檚 Park. The courtier, with nerves of steel and a flair for drama, replied, 鈥淥nly your crown, ma鈥檃m.鈥� And that pretty much sums up the importance of this place鈥攎ess with the people鈥檚 park, and you鈥檙e one coronation short of a monarchy.
Wedged gracefully between three heavy-hitters鈥擝uckingham Palace, St. James鈥檚 Palace, and the political power zone of Westminster鈥擲t. James鈥檚 Park is London鈥檚 oldest and arguably most charming green retreat. Back in 1532, Henry VIII thought this marsh was in great need of deer, so he snapped it up for his very own deer nursery. Later, during the reign of James I, the land was drained, and an aviary was installed (giving rise to the name Birdcage Walk), along with a zoo that featured exotic species like crocodiles, camels, and even an elephant.
Then came Charles II, freshly returned from exile in France with some serious garden envy after ogling Versailles. He rolled up his sleeves and transformed the park into a regal playground with neat avenues, fruit trees, a canal, and a whole zoo of goats, sheep, and deer casually grazing the lawns. By the 1700s, the park had taken a turn for the scandalous, becoming a preferred hunting ground for the affluent individuals seeking... nighttime companions.
In the 19th century, the romantic stylings of John Nash (one of the foremost British architects of the Georgian and Regency eras) gave the park its current look鈥攁 picturesque escape with winding paths and dreamy views. Peer down the lake toward Buckingham Palace, and you can easily imagine having wandered onto a countryside estate鈥攗ntil a pelican flaps by.
Speaking of birds, Duck Island at the lake鈥檚 eastern tip is a feathery haven for pelicans, swans (King-owned, naturally), geese, and ducks. From March to October, deck chairs appear like sun-seeking mushrooms鈥攑erfect for office lunch breaks or tuning into a bandstand performance at midday.
Evenings are a delight here too, as the lake reflects the glowing silhouettes of Westminster Abbey and the Parliament buildings. It鈥檚 part fairy tale, part postcard, and entirely worth a visit. Lush lawns, birds with better titles than you, and the occasional live performance. Basically, it鈥檚 where London goes to exhale...
Wedged gracefully between three heavy-hitters鈥擝uckingham Palace, St. James鈥檚 Palace, and the political power zone of Westminster鈥擲t. James鈥檚 Park is London鈥檚 oldest and arguably most charming green retreat. Back in 1532, Henry VIII thought this marsh was in great need of deer, so he snapped it up for his very own deer nursery. Later, during the reign of James I, the land was drained, and an aviary was installed (giving rise to the name Birdcage Walk), along with a zoo that featured exotic species like crocodiles, camels, and even an elephant.
Then came Charles II, freshly returned from exile in France with some serious garden envy after ogling Versailles. He rolled up his sleeves and transformed the park into a regal playground with neat avenues, fruit trees, a canal, and a whole zoo of goats, sheep, and deer casually grazing the lawns. By the 1700s, the park had taken a turn for the scandalous, becoming a preferred hunting ground for the affluent individuals seeking... nighttime companions.
In the 19th century, the romantic stylings of John Nash (one of the foremost British architects of the Georgian and Regency eras) gave the park its current look鈥攁 picturesque escape with winding paths and dreamy views. Peer down the lake toward Buckingham Palace, and you can easily imagine having wandered onto a countryside estate鈥攗ntil a pelican flaps by.
Speaking of birds, Duck Island at the lake鈥檚 eastern tip is a feathery haven for pelicans, swans (King-owned, naturally), geese, and ducks. From March to October, deck chairs appear like sun-seeking mushrooms鈥攑erfect for office lunch breaks or tuning into a bandstand performance at midday.
Evenings are a delight here too, as the lake reflects the glowing silhouettes of Westminster Abbey and the Parliament buildings. It鈥檚 part fairy tale, part postcard, and entirely worth a visit. Lush lawns, birds with better titles than you, and the occasional live performance. Basically, it鈥檚 where London goes to exhale...
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St. James's Park on Map
Sight Name: St. James's Park
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in London, England
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Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Bridges of London
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles
The latter has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the finest, most recognizable bridges in the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Harry Potter Walking Tour I
The Harry Potter phenomenon began with author J.K. Rowling, who famously dreamed up the series while delayed on a train from Manchester to London. With the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher鈥檚 Stone in 1997, the literary world changed forever. Across seven books, readers followed Harry鈥檚 evolution from an orphaned schoolboy at Hogwarts to a brave young wizard confronting evil... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
London's Historic Pubs Walk
If there鈥檚 any more iconic symbol for London than Big Ben or the London Eye, then it must be the traditional English pub. And London sure is full of them, dating from pre-Victorian times to just about five minutes ago.
With so much history surrounding London there is no shortage of historic pubs to choose from. Whether you fancy half-timbered, rambling watering holes or small but perfectly... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.6 Km or 3.5 Miles
With so much history surrounding London there is no shortage of historic pubs to choose from. Whether you fancy half-timbered, rambling watering holes or small but perfectly... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.6 Km or 3.5 Miles
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