UK Travel Guide

Parks
Back

St. James's Park

Created by Henry VIII in the 16th century this park is one of London’s oldest Royal parks. Although it is small (approximately 90 acres) it is generally regarded as the finest. It was originally a deer park for St James’s Palace but in the 17th century at the instance of Charles II it was transformed by the French gardener Le Notre into a landscape garden. The present layout was the result of the magnificent efforts of John Nash who in or about 1828 carried out further landscaping. It was he who built the existing serpentine lake (which was formerly the canal) and where one can today still see pelicans believed to be descendants of the original ones presented to Charles II by the Russian ambassador. One can also see swans, geese and other exotic wildfowl and from the lake’s bridge one has a really great view of Buckingham Palace and Whitehall. The pelicans are fed daily at 3.00pm.

Located at: The Mall, London, SW1

Telephone: n/a

Opens: daily from dawn until dusk

Cost: free

Closest Subway Station: St. James Park Station (Click to see more atrraction at this station)