If you're simply looking for a peaceful London walk in the heart of nature, St James Park is the ideal place.
Today, let's take a look back at this green space, much appreciated by locals and tourists alike.
St James Park in London: article summary
St James Park in London: a little history
The area where St. James Park now stands was in fact once the site of a women's leper hospital, dedicated to James The Less.
Henry VIII bought the land from Eton College in 1532, then built St James's Palace before to turn the land into its own deer-hunting and duck-shooting ground.
But it was thanks to Charles II that the park's original marshland was transformed into a long, narrow canal that can still be seen today.
In the seventeenth century, Charles II redesigned the park more like the gardens of Versailles in France.
The greatest transformation of St. James Park took place in 1828, when architect John Nash redesigned the grounds with trees, lawns and gardens under the orders of George IV.
A park you must visit
St James Park covers 23 hectares and is ideally located close to :
- From Buckingham Palace
- From St James's Palace
- From Birdcage Walk
Not only does St James Park boast beautiful flowerbeds and large green spaces, it is also home to 15 different bird species, the most famous being the resident pelican colony.
Among the many other animals you can find in the park are :
- Squirrels
- Water birds
- Ducks
- Geese
- Swans
- Owls
The Blue Bridge is famous in its own right, having been featured in numerous films throughout its history.
Standing on the bridge, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Buckingham Palace, and if you look to the east, you'll be able to see all the sights.ou'll see the Swire Fountain and Whitehall Court.
St James Park in London: a view of the city's main monuments
There are also two islands in St James's Park, and on the south side of Duck Island, you'll see a Tiffany fountain perched on a Pelican rock, with picturesque views over the London Eye and Big Ben.
There are also two famous monuments in St. James Park, one of which commemorates the soldiers of the Guards regiments who perished in the world wars.
To the north, you'll see the Royal Artillery South Africa memorial, built to commemorate the Royal Artillery who died during the Boen wars.
How do I get there?
You can reach St James Park in a number of ways.
If you are travelling in metroThe nearest station is St. James Park, a two-minute walk from the park.
Victoria station is a 13-minute walk away by train.
Finally, if you are travelling in busYou can reach St. James Park via routes 3, 11, 12, 24, 24, 29, 29, 53, 53, 77a, 77a, 88, 91, 148, 148, 159, 211 and 453.
St James Park in London: what are the opening hours?
If you can, try to plan your visit around the daily pelican feedings that attract many daily visitors to the park. Pelicans are fed daily by park staff between :
- 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
St. James Park is open every day of the year from 5 a.m. to midnight.
How much does admission cost?
Entrance to the park is free, but if you want to relax or read a book on warmer days, you can always rent a deckchair.
Deckchairs are available between March and October during the day and during the night. cost £1.50 an hour.
During your visit to London, I recommend a trip to St James Park. Here you can discover an incredible array of flora and fauna. You'll be able to spend beautiful days surrounded by nature.
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