St. James's Palace

An impressive historic building with a strong royal atmosphere. Seeing the guards on duty adds to the experience and makes it feel very authentic. Even from the outside, the palace reflects centuries of British history. A great spot for photos and a must-see if you are interested in royal London.

Don't miss St James’s Palace near Buckingham Palace! This spectacular, working royal palace is steeped in history and still used by the Royals for major events. ​PRO TIP: Visit on a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday to see the Changing of the Guard Mount here. Get there 30 minutes early for the prompt 11AM start. Stand off the road and across the street from the palace for best view. It’s an iconic ceremony full of pride, precision drill, and stirring music. The perfect rhythm of the march is a London experience you won't forget!

Beautiful place to get married. I captured James & Sarah’s wedding and it was just stunning. Grace Pham Photography

Excellent place to see the changing of the guard!! Make sure to arrive around 30 minutes prior, they do not let anyone on the street FYI. I believe the time was 10:45 to see them come in. Super fun! But it gets very crowded

St James’s Palace is a fascinating stop for tourists who enjoy royal history and understated photography. Although the palace is not open to the public, the exterior itself is rich in character and offers a quieter, more refined experience compared to other royal landmarks in London. The red-brick Tudor architecture, arched gateways, and clock tower create excellent photo opportunities, especially in soft daylight. Early morning or late afternoon works best, when the light enhances the texture of the brickwork and the surrounding streets are less crowded. The area feels calm and dignified, giving photos a timeless, classic London feel. Located close to St James’s Park and Buckingham Palace, it fits perfectly into a walking route through central London. The surrounding streets add charm and context, making it easy to capture elegant street photography as well. Overall, St James’s Palace is ideal for visitors who appreciate history, subtle beauty, and quieter photography spots away from heavy tourist crowds.

St. James's Palace is one of the most historic and significant royal palaces in the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, just north of St. James's Park, it holds a unique place in British history. Here are the key details about the palace: 1. Historical Background * Origins: The palace was built by King Henry VIII between 1531 and 1536. It was constructed on the site of a former leper hospital dedicated to Saint James the Less. * Royal Residence: For over 300 years, it was a residence for Kings and Queens of England. It became the principal royal residence after the Palace of Whitehall was destroyed by fire in 1698. * Shift to Buckingham Palace: In 1837, Queen Victoria moved the official royal residence to Buckingham Palace. However, St. James's Palace remains the "Senior Palace" of the Sovereign. 2. The "Court of St. James's" Even though the King lives at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle, St. James's Palace is still the official seat of the Royal Court. * Foreign ambassadors are technically accredited to "The Court of St. James's." * The Accession Council meets here. This is where a new monarch is formally proclaimed King or Queen following the death of the previous monarch (as seen recently with King Charles III). 3. Architecture and Design * Tudor Style: The palace is a classic example of Tudor architecture. It is built mostly of red brick with darker brick diapering (patterns). * The Gatehouse: The most famous feature is the surviving Tudor Gatehouse at the north end, which still bears the monogram of Henry VIII. * Complex Layout: The palace consists of several courts, including Colour Court, Friary Court, and Ambassadors' Court. 4. The Chapel Royal Located within the palace grounds, the Chapel Royal is historically very significant: * Royal Weddings: It has hosted many royal weddings, including the marriage of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert in 1840 and King George V to Queen Mary. * Christenings: It is a frequent location for royal christenings (baptisms), including that of Prince George (son of Prince William) in 2013. * Coffin Resting Place: The coffin of Princess Diana rested in the Chapel Royal before her funeral in 1997 so her family could pay their respects privately. 5. Modern Usage Today, the palace is a working royal palace. * Offices: It houses the London residences and offices of several members of the Royal Family (such as Princess Anne and Princess Alexandra). * State Apartments: The State Apartments are used for entertaining during incoming State Visits and for other ceremonial and formal occasions. * Charity Receptions: The palace is frequently used to host receptions for charities associated with members of the Royal Family. > Important Visitor Note: Unlike Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle, St. James's Palace is not open to the public. Tourists can only view the exterior and the gatehouse from the street (Pall Mall) or attend specific religious services in the Chapel Royal during the winter. > Quick Facts | Feature | Details | |---|---| | Location | Pall Mall, Westminster, London | | Built | 1531–1536 | | Builder | King Henry VIII | | Status | The Senior Palace of the Sovereign | | Nearest Tube | Green Park or St. James's Park |

Guided tour worth every penny. 90 minutes of fascination. Groups of 30. Highlight is the chapel royal. Strictly no photography. My pics here from daily telegraph.

We watched the Changing of the Guards. They came from the Buckingham Palace to St. James'Palace and back.

Henry the eighth built this Palace on the grounds of the old Saint James hospital in the early 1500's. The lush St James Park hides the palace. This is currently the Royal Court. Princess Anne uses the palace as her residence & office.

Changing of the guards starts at 10:30but check the calendar. You can follow them to Buckingham palace. But you need to line up on the street we'll before it starts. Lots of people think it's a good idea to wait on the side of the street as the palace. The police will make you move. So you will go from the best view, to the worst.

We went to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony, which started at 10:30 with the first officer coming out. The Irish band came out 10 minutes later. The entire ceremony only lasts about 15 minutes, and then they leave St. James, and march toward Buckingham Palace. So if you want to see an unobstructed view, and not be in a mob of people, this is the place to be. Before the ceremony starts, you are allowed to stand at the gate, but about 5 minutes before it starts, the police will not let you stand at the gate, and you must walk across the street. So when you first arrive, walk across the street, and get your place toward the middle.

A hidden gem just around the corner from buckingham palace. Why? Because they have a smaller changing of the guards ceremony that a lot of people don't know about and it is less packed. You don't have to get here as early to get a good spot, you don't have to wake up as early (for buckingham palace if you want a good view you have to get their at 9:30 am and it dosent start till 11-11:30 or something). My suggestion 1. Save your spot ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. If you stand on the side of the road with the gate and st. james palace they will tell you to move, wait on the other side of the road/other sidewalk (its shadier also lol). 2. Be their 30 minutes early. 3. Check what time it starts because I don't remember. I've seen both changing of the guards but truthfully I liked this one better. I got to see it closer, I didnt have to wake up as early, and this one is shorter. Overall, its less tiring and takes up less time in a busy hectic touristy schedule lol.

A lot of people don't know that St. James' have a guard changing ceremony on a daily basis which has a much thinner crowd than the one that gathers at Buckingham. This is a good alternative to see some sword-crashing and the grounds are a nice place to sit too.