London
Town Guide


St James's District

SW1
Nearest Tube: Green Park


St James's is one of the most exclusive and expensive districts in London. It encompasses the approximate area from Piccadilly in the north to Victoria Street in the south and from Haymarket and Whitehall in the east to Grosvenor Place in the west.

Its associations with royalty are particularly strong. For example The Mall is the ceremonial route taken by the royal family during ceremonial occasions, and of course it is here that you will find Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace.

Even the street names are derived from royalty, for example Birdcage Walk that forms the southern boundary of St James's Park is named after the aviary that James I (1603-25) built there.

St James's is also known for its exclusive 'Gentlemen's Clubs', such as the Athenaeum and the Reform Club, mostly situated around Pall Mall and Jermyn Street. Most date back to the 18th Century and were where aristocratic men met to talk, drink and where they won and lost fortunes gambling.

The other thing that St James's is known for is its exclusive shops, for example its bespoke tailors shops that line Jermyn Street, and department stores such as Fortnum and Mason.


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