St James Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A historic building with classical architecture, surrounded by autumn leaves.
A black car parked in front of a historic building with large columns and ornate architecture.
A grand building with large arched entrances and a prominent inscription above the door.
A historic archway with intricate stone carvings and a large ornate gate.
A grand building with large arches and a clock tower.

Visit royal residences, acclaimed galleries and one of London’s poshest shops in this central area. Attend a show at historic theatres 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 neighbourhood 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 theatres, 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 theatre.

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 flavours, 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.


Stay near popular St James attractions

Activities


Our pick of the best St James Hotel Deals

Moxy London Piccadilly Circus

Moxy London Piccadilly Circus

3 out of 5
1 Jermyn Street London England
The price is AU$241 per night from 13 Sept to 14 Sept
AU$241
13 Sept - 14 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square are ...
8.2/10 Very good! (495 reviews)
"It was a great location, well kept and clean but the only downside was the system being down and the check in was not smooth and took too much time. It could have been handled differently. They seemed short staffed or unable to handle unexpected circumstances."

Reviewed on 7 Sept 2026

Moxy London Piccadilly Circus
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus

Zedwell Piccadilly Circus

3 out of 5
Great Windmill Street London England
The price is AU$180 per night from 13 Sept to 14 Sept
AU$180
13 Sept - 14 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and premium bedding. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (5,996 reviews)
"Gone are the days of having staff to speak with consistently. Need to use WhatsApp to communicate with their automated system for requests. Self check in, have to activate your own key cards, charge £15 per bag if you would like them to store luggage on day of arrival or departure! never experienced ..."

Reviewed on 8 Sept 2026

Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
The Tower Hotel, by Thistle

The Tower Hotel, by Thistle

4 out of 5
St Katharine's Way London England
The price is AU$233 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
AU$233
20 Sept - 21 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their ...
8.4/10 Very good! (10,630 reviews)
"The staff were rwalky good"

Reviewed on 8 Sept 2026

The Tower Hotel, by Thistle
Otherwander Soho Pod Hotel (ADULTS ONLY)

Otherwander Soho Pod Hotel (ADULTS ONLY)

2 out of 5
91-92 Dean Street London England
The price is AU$123 per night from 13 Sept to 14 Sept
AU$123
13 Sept - 14 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, rainfall showerheads and slippers. Popular attractions Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus are located ...
Otherwander Soho Pod Hotel (ADULTS ONLY)
Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge

Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge

4 out of 5
200 Westminster Bridge Road London England
The price is AU$394 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
AU$394
20 Sept - 21 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in London. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge
Strand Palace Hotel

Strand Palace Hotel

4 out of 5
372 The Strand London England
The price is AU$205 per night from 27 Sept to 28 Sept
AU$205
27 Sept - 28 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their reviews. ...
Strand Palace Hotel
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.

Our guide on where to stay in St James

Find the best St James areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about St James
Learn more about St James

London City Centre

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.

Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf is highly notable for its fantastic nightlife, and you might want to visit top sights like Crossrail Place Roof Garden and Billingsgate Market. See more of London by jumping on the metro at Heron Quays DLR Station or Canary Wharf Underground Station.

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 London Transport Museum while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Covent Garden Underground Station to get around town.

City of Westminster

Big Ben and Trafalgar Square 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.

Soho

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



St James Travel Guide

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