St James’s Park: Pelicans, Lake & Buckingham Palace Views

St James’s Park was probably the part of the day where I could finally slow down and enjoy the moment. After walking around, I found a spot in the park where we could sit in the shade, as the sun was extremely strong.

Getting My BearingsThe Boards Before the Birds

Before finding anywhere to sit, I stopped at a couple of the Royal Parks boards near the entrance, partly out of habit and partly because the illustrations of the park’s wildlife were genuinely good.

Having the layout in my head before setting off made the rest of the walk easier, the lake runs almost the full length of the park, so most of what there is to see sits along one side of it or the other.

Life on the LakeBirds Everywhere, Which Made It Even Nicer

The park had a really peaceful feeling despite being in the middle of London. There were birds everywhere, which made it even nicer to just sit, watch them and enjoy being surrounded by nature.

The pelicans have been here since 1664, when they were first given to the park as a gift from the Russian Ambassador, and it still feels slightly surreal to see them drifting past so casually in the middle of London. Close to where they gather, a sign asks visitors to keep their distance and keep dogs on leads, since this year’s chicks are still finding their feet on the water.

Further along, a quieter stretch of the lake had almost disappeared under lily pads, with another sign reminding visitors to keep dogs on leads near the water and to leave the birds undisturbed.

Slowing DownA Small Picnic in the Shade

We decided to have a small picnic there and take some time to relax. Sitting under the shade with the warm summer weather, some food and the sound of the birds around us made it feel like a proper break from the busy city.

After walking around, finding that spot in the shade was probably the part of the day where I could finally slow down and enjoy the moment. The lawns look completely different from the lake, drier, more open, and the kind of place where people just stop and stay for a while rather than pass through.

Along the WaterThe Fountain and a Tower Through the Trees

Walking the lakeside path, the fountain kept appearing and disappearing between the trees, one of those small details that’s easy to miss unless you’re walking slowly, which by that point in the day I was.

The BridgeBuckingham Palace in the Distance

One of my favourite views was from the bridge in the centre of the park. From there, I could see Buckingham Palace in the distance, and with the sun shining, it was a beautiful place to stop for a few photos.

It’s a small detail, but standing on that bridge is really where the park’s whole layout clicks into place, the Palace at one end, Whitehall and the London Eye visible toward the other, and the lake and its birds filling the space in between.

A Few Small DistractionsIce Cream and a Passing Pedicab

Neither of these is really a park landmark, but they’re the kind of small, ordinary things that end up in the memory of a visit almost as much as the pelicans do, an official Royal Parks ice cream van under the trees, and a pedicab parked on the street just beyond the railings.

Just Beyond the ParkMemorials, a Statue and the War Rooms

Leaving the park toward Horse Guards, a cluster of memorials and one very well-known museum sit close enough together to fold naturally into the same walk.

Close by, a carved granite sphere remembers the 202 people killed in the 2002 Bali bombings, an unexpected and quietly affecting stop tucked among the grander monuments.

The Churchill War Rooms sit right at the edge of this cluster, an easy add-on if there’s time left in the day, and one of the more obvious reasons this side of the park tends to stay busy.

Looking BackMore Than Somewhere to Walk Through

For me, St James’s Park was more than just somewhere to walk through. It was a place where I could sit down, have a picnic, watch the birds and simply enjoy a quiet moment in central London.

Practical InformationEverything Else I Didn’t Cover in the Walk

Getting There

• Nearest tube: St James’s Park Underground station for the Westminster and southern side; Green Park station works better for the western entrance near Buckingham Palace.
• Also close by: Victoria, Charing Cross and Westminster stations, useful if the park is part of a wider sightseeing route.
• On foot: the park connects directly with Buckingham Palace, The Mall, Horse Guards and Whitehall, so it folds easily into a longer central London walk.

Parking

• There is no general public visitor car park inside St James’s Park.
• Central London parking restrictions and charges make public transport the simpler option for most visits.

Facilities

• Public toilets are available in the park; the current charge is 20p by contactless card, prepaid card or mobile wallet, cash is not accepted.
• St James’s Café is the larger lakeside option, with kiosks also dotted around the park.
• A Royal Parks ice cream van was also operating inside the park on this visit, though it isn’t a fixed daily fixture.
• Picnics are welcome on the lawns, but barbecues and fires are not allowed.

Wildlife and the Lake

• Pelicans have lived beside the lake since 1664, when the first birds were gifted by the Russian Ambassador.
• A dedicated information board near the lake identifies the different waterfowl species that share the water with them.
• Signs around the lake ask visitors to keep dogs on leads and not to chase or disturb the birds, this year’s pelican chicks in particular are asked to be given extra space and quiet.

Dogs

• Welcome in much of the park but must stay on the footpath around the lake.
• Not permitted in the Memorial Gardens in front of Buckingham Palace.
• Extra care is asked for around the lake while this year’s pelican chicks are still developing.

What to See

• The lake, its pelicans and the wider waterfowl population
• The bridge view toward Buckingham Palace and, looking the other way, the London Eye
• The Guards Memorial and the nearby Bali bombing memorial
• The statue of Clive and the Churchill War Rooms just beyond the park
• The open lawns, good for a picnic and some shade on a hot day

How Long to Spend

• 45–60 minutes: a direct lakeside walk between Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards.
• Around two hours: add a picnic in the shade, time with the birds and a stop on the bridge.
• Half a day: combine it with Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards and the Churchill War Rooms just beyond the park.

Best Time to Visit

A sunny summer afternoon delivers exactly the atmosphere I found, warm, calm and full of birdsong, but the strong sun also makes the shaded lawns worth seeking out early rather than waiting until midday.

Nearby

• Buckingham Palace, right at the park’s western edge.
• Horse Guards, the Guards Memorial and the Churchill War Rooms toward the eastern side.
• The Green Park, adjoining St James’s Park and offering open grass and mature trees rather than water and birdlife.

Frequently Asked Questions

Research Method

This guide is based on a personal visit to St James’s Park, walking the lakeside path from the Buckingham Palace end toward Horse Guards, with a picnic stop on the lawns along the way. All photographs above are original and were taken on site, including the lake, the pelicans, the information boards, the bridge view and the memorials just beyond the park. Signage, prices and wildlife details reflect what was seen on the day; check current information with The Royal Parks before travelling, especially around ceremonial events that can affect access.