pelicans, a palace and the best bridge in town
The oldest and prettiest Royal Park, free, with a lake full of pelicans, a bridge with the best free view of Buckingham Palace and the London Eye behind you.
Free to visit · Westminster · St James's Park · SW1A 2BJ
Opening: Daily 5am–midnight
St James's Park is completely free to enter, the oldest of London's Royal Parks and probably the most beautiful, a slim ribbon of lake, willow and flowerbed running from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards. It is central and somehow still feels like a secret despite sitting in the middle of official London.
The lake is the star. It is home to a long line of pelicans, here since a Russian ambassador gave some to Charles II in 1664, and they are still fed by the keepers most afternoons. The flowerbeds are some of the best kept in the country, changed with the seasons.
Then there is the bridge across the middle of the lake. Stand on it and look one way for a fairytale view of Buckingham Palace across the water, the other for the towers of Whitehall and the London Eye. It is the best free photo in central London and most tourists rushing between sights walk straight past it.
Getting there: St James's Park or Westminster on the tube, sitting between Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards.
Best time to go: Late afternoon for the light on the lake, or around 2:30pm if you want to catch the pelicans being fed.
Insider tip: Walk to the middle of the Blue Bridge and look west. The view of Buckingham Palace floating above the lake is the prettiest free shot in town, and it is busiest at midday, so come early or late for it to yourself. The pelican feeding is usually around 2:30pm.
Official site: https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/st-jamess-park
Free things to do in London · London Free Guide