LONDON WEEKEND BREAKS - St James Park

St. James Park is one of the most beautiful and well planted parks in London and it is also the oldest of the original Royal parks.

The park, which still has white pelicans that were a gift from the Russian ambassador, has a mix of paths and lawns with a lake and many planted areas featuring flowers and shrubs. Many regard it as London's best park and with good reason. The pelicans are also fed daily which always attracts the attention of those nearby.

Some of St. James Park's flower beds are nothing short of stunning from early spring to late autumn and they display both a range of domestic and more exotic plants. This means that you will find colour throughout most months of the year and even in the depths of winter the park still acts as a lush oasis.

St James Park History

The location of the modern day St. James park was once the site of a leper colony, an indication of how time and land usage has changed over the centuries. Once feared as an area to avoid, this park now enjoys continual use from tourists, city office workers and local residents alike.

The park's designer was John Nash, a landscape architect, but at that time the park was not seen as a municipal recreation area.

The original St James Park was owned and used by the royal family and their guests and no uninvited visitors were allowed in to the parks gardens. It was not until the reign of Charles II that the park was opened to the public and it has remained one of London's many free parks ever since.

A number of cafes and kiosks are dotted around the park, so it is always possible to get a drink and a snack while you relax.

Although close to major tourist icons like Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey the park allows anyone to escape the busy streets of London for some solitude and relaxation.

Location

St. James Park can be most easily found off Hyde Park corner where it lies opposite Hyde Park. It is also very close to Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey and access to the park is free.