When you think of St James’s Park, London’s oldest royal park, established in 1532 as a hunting ground for Henry VIII. Also known as the green heart of Westminster, it’s not just a place to sit on a bench—it’s a living ecosystem where ducks, pelicans, and flamingos share space with tourists, joggers, and office workers on lunch breaks. Unlike the manicured lawns of Hyde Park or the busy paths of Regent’s Park, St James’s feels quieter, older, and more personal. You can walk from Buckingham Palace to the Horse Guards in under ten minutes, and along the way, you’ll see exactly why this park has stayed unchanged for centuries.
The lake, a central feature of the park since the 17th century, shaped by Charles II to mimic French formal gardens. Also known as the duck pond, it’s home to over 300 waterfowl, including the famous pelicans that have lived here since the 1660s. Locals know the exact time they’re fed—around 2:30 PM—and show up with bread to watch the show. Nearby, the Bird Sanctuary, a quiet corner where rare species like flamingos and black swans are protected. Also known as the hidden aviary, it’s easy to miss if you’re rushing toward the palace, but worth stopping for. This isn’t a zoo. It’s a working wildlife haven tucked into one of the busiest parts of London.
People come for the views—Buckingham Palace in the distance, the Green Park blending into the west, the Whitehall buildings framing the east—but they stay for the small details. The old iron benches where couples sit without talking. The path where runners circle clockwise every morning. The spot under the weeping willow where students read between classes. The way the light hits the water just before sunset, turning the ducks into gold. This park doesn’t need fireworks or festivals to matter. It just is.
And that’s why the posts here cover everything from quiet mornings with coffee to the best angles for photos, from where to spot the pelicans without crowds to how the park changes with the seasons. You’ll find stories about the people who come here daily, the history behind the bridges, and why this one park feels more like home than any other in the city. No tickets. No lines. Just green, water, and a century of quiet moments.
St James’s Park is London’s oldest royal park, home to pelicans, swans, and a serene lake. Free to enter, it offers quiet walks, seasonal blooms, and daily pelican feedings - a peaceful escape in the heart of the city.