St James Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Admiralty Arch which includes heritage architecture
Visit royal residences, acclaimed galleries and one of London’s poshest shops in this central area. Attend a show at historic theaters and hang out in a Royal Park.

Ritzy St. James’s sits between lush parks and Trafalgar Square at the edge of London’s West End. Developed as a residential neighborhood for British nobility in the 1600s, today it maintains an air of elite sophistication. Visit St. James’s to discover aristocratic and royal residences alongside century-old theaters, gourmet restaurants, high-end retailers and outstanding art exhibitions.

Admire the Tudor-era St. James’s Palace, which is a London residence of the Royal Family. Clarence House is a home of the Prince of Wales and open in August for guided tours. See the lavish rooms of Spencer House, a townhouse built by an ancestor of Princess Diana. Grand Georgian mansions frame leafy St. James’s Square.

Piccadilly street epitomizes the area’s refined retail. Browse for gourmet treats and luxury homeware and enjoy afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason. Find a chocolatier, milliner and other artisans at Princes Arcade and bespoke menswear on Jermyn Street. Piccadilly Market presents arts and crafts in the church courtyard of St. James’s Piccadilly.

The galleries of St. James’s cater to a range of tastes. Peruse works by Scottish Colourists at Portland Gallery and contemporary masterpieces at White Cube Mason’s Yard. The Institute of Contemporary Arts is a combined cinema, gallery and theater.

Book tickets for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre. The Theatre Royal Haymarket puts on plays and musicals for all ages. From British pub food to Italian, Scandinavian and West African flavors, St. James’s Market is an epicurean wonderland.

The lush environment of St. James’s Park is ideal for picnics and enjoying London’s natural side. Spot waterbirds, watch a daily pelican feeding and stroll along crisscrossing pathways. On the park’s north side, The Mall connects Buckingham Palace with Trafalgar Square. This ceremonial avenue is the setting for parades such as The Changing of the Guard.

St. James’s is served by the Green Park and Piccadilly Circus underground stations plus several public bus lines. Travel here in November for the star-studded Regent Street Christmas Lights Switch-On.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best St James Hotel Deals

Corus Hyde Park Hotel
Corus Hyde Park Hotel
4 out of 5
1 Lancaster Gate, 1-7, London, England
The price is AU$210 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
AU$210
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,718 reviews)
"The stay was nice and the staff was friendly"

Reviewed on 26 Mar. 2024

Corus Hyde Park Hotel
The Cavendish London
The Cavendish London
4 out of 5
81 Jermyn Street, St James's, London, England
The price is AU$401 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
AU$401
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy breakfast, 24-hour room service, and valet parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,130 reviews)
Fabulous stay
"Wonderful stay, the hotel staff were so friendly and helpful. The bed was really comfortable and the room was nice and spacious. Great location for exploring the city, very close to Leicester Square but on a quiet street which gives you the best of both worlds."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

The Cavendish London
The Tower Hotel, London
The Tower Hotel, London
4 out of 5
St Katharine's Way, London, England
The price is AU$246 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
AU$246
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (4,286 reviews)
"It was close to everything and simple to wander around"

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2024

The Tower Hotel, London
Strand Palace Hotel
Strand Palace Hotel
4 out of 5
372 The Strand, London, England
The price is AU$339 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
AU$339
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3,008 reviews)
"My stay was excellent."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Strand Palace Hotel
Royal Garden Hotel
Royal Garden Hotel
5 out of 5
2-24 Kensington High Street, London, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$441 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$441
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 3 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,061 reviews)
"Perfect for Royal Albert hall."

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2024

Royal Garden Hotel
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
4 out of 5
200 Westminster Bridge Road, London, England
The price is AU$414 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
AU$414
per night
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,544 reviews)
"Staff prompt responsiveness to our requests, such as needing towels or things for our room, was one of the things we really appreciated."

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around St James

Carnaby Street which includes a square or plaza as well as a large group of people

London City Centre

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, stunning river views and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in London City Centre. Top attractions like Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus are major draws. Catch the metro at Charing Cross Underground Station or Leicester Square Underground Station to see more of the city.

London City Centre
Soho

Soho

Soho is beloved for its fantastic nightlife. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Oxford Street and Soho Square.

Soho
Mayfair

Mayfair

Travellers love Mayfair for its popular shops, and you can see more of London by jumping on the metro at Bond Street Underground Station or Bond Street (Elizabeth Line) Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Oxford Street and Berkeley Square.

Mayfair
London showing heritage elements, markets and signage

Covent Garden

The lively bars and colourful gardens are just a few top-rate features of the neighbourhood. Make a stop by Covent Garden Market or Royal Opera House while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Covent Garden Underground Station to get around town.

Covent Garden
Victoria showing a city and heritage architecture

Westminster

While you're in Westminster, take in top sights like Big Ben and jump on the metro at St. James's Park Underground Station to see more of the city.

Westminster
Admiralty Arch showing heritage architecture

City of Westminster

4.5/5(470 area reviews)

Buckingham Palace and Big Ben are a few top attractions in City of Westminster. Hop around the city on the metro at St. James's Park Underground Station or Victoria Underground Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

City of Westminster

St James Travel Guide

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