St James’s

James’s is an area located within Central London, an exclusive district under the administration of the City of Westminster. Roughly, it is bordered by Piccadilly in the north, the Green Park in the west, the Mall in the south, and Haymarket in the east. It is home to several gentlemen’s clubs and commercial art galleries, earning it a reputation as a place where the upper class meet and converge.

Sights & Activities:

The area only has one square, the St. James Square, where a central garden provides outdoor space for those who wish to take a stroll or simply enjoy a day out. The garden also features the statue of William III.

One of the prominent institutions located in the square is The London Library, an independent lending library that is considered the largest in the world. The library occupied its present building in 1845, though it was established in 1841 and used to be located along Pall Mall.

The Mall is bordered by the St. James’s Park, which holds the distinction of being the oldest of all the Royal Parks of London. Visitors are free to roam its extensive grounds, strolling along the bridge spanning the small St. James’s Park Lake and catching glimpses of the Buckingham Palace in the western edge of the park. In the northeastern-most tip of the park is the National Police Memorial dedicated to all police officers throughout the country that were killed on duty.

Another famous outdoor space in St. James’s is The Green Park, also part of the Royal Parks of London. The park is unique in that is wholly composed of wooded meadows. Paths are available for those who wish to go walking or cycling.

Near The Green Park are several residential houses owned by royalty. One of the most famous and oldest is the St. James’s Palace that is located along The Mall. It is still occupied by members of the Royal Family and is not accessible to the public. Near the palace is the Clarence House, another royal residence that is presently occupied by the Prince of Wales, his wife, and his two sons. Visitors who come in the summer months of June to August may get the chance to tour some of its rooms. Another notable residence is the Spencer House, located along Catherine Wheel Yard. It is open for public viewing and is a venue for several social events.

The Carlton House Terrace is composed of terraced houses along the Mall that were completed in 1832. The area is also where the Duke of York Column is located. This column is made of pink granite and was completed in 1834, in honor of Prince Frederick, Duke of York.

Another historic structure is the St. James’s Church, Picadilly, which started its service in 1684. This red brick structured was designed by Christopher Wren.

Another building that has historic value is the Criterion Theatre on Piccadilly Circus, constructed in 1873. 

Eating Out:

There are a lot of restaurants within St. James’s and most offer distinctive dishes and menus that encourage loyalty among its patrons. Along St. James’s Street are the elegant Luciano Restaurant and the Ristorante Fiore which serves Italian dishes. Another Italian restaurant is the Il Vicolo on Crown Passage. Japanese cuisine can be had at the Matsuri St. James’s on Bury Street while the Wagamama on Norris Street serves all types of noodle dishes. For those looking for that something extra in their dining experience, there’s the Abracadabra Restaurant on Jermyn Street, where the interior decoration seems to be inspired by the children’s book ‘Alice in Wonderland.’