Description
St James, Westminster
St James’s embodies a certain idea of the English art of living — that of gentlemen’s clubs with impenetrable rules, of tradesmen who have supplied the Crown for generations.
Westminster — literally ‘the west minster’. A name that says everything. Since Edward the Confessor built his palace in the shadow of the monastery, this neighbourhood has been intimately bound up with British royal and political power. And it is at the heart of Westminster that St James’s nestles — one of London’s most refined and fascinating neighbourhoods.
Starting from Green Park — the monarchs’ favourite park, sober and regal — this tour introduces you to a London where the most exclusive gentlemen’s clubs hold court, their secrets closely guarded. Beside St James’s Palace, aristocratic townhouses and the prestigious establishments that serve them abound. It is said an emperor once stayed nearby… How marvellous!
Highlights
The gentlemen’s clubs
Pall Mall and St James’s Street are home to the world’s most exclusive clubs — Boodle’s, White’s, the Carlton. Sanctuaries where the world is put to rights, bets are laid and rules seem immutable.
Royal warrant holders
Lock & Co Hatters (1676), Berry Bros & Rudd (1698), Paxton & Whitfield — these shops have supplied the royal family for centuries. Their near-unchanged façades and extraordinary histories make them unique witnesses to the passing of time.
St James’s Palace
Built under Henry VIII, St James’s Palace is the official residence of the British Crown — even if monarchs no longer live there. Ambassadors are still accredited to the Court of St James’s.
Green Park
The most discreet of the royal parks — no flower beds, no fountains, no statues. Just trees, grass and a discretion that suits its royal neighbours perfectly.
Practical information
Meeting point
Green Park station
Jubilee, Victoria or Piccadilly lines
St James’s Park exit
St James’s Park exit
Duration
2h30
Depending on group pace
Language
French
Certified guide, Green Badge
Group size
1 to 20 people
Prices
£30/person or £230 flat rate
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible
Please note
- Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
- Tours go ahead in all weathers.
- Each participant is responsible for their own safety.
Private tour — 1 to 20 people
The tour exclusively for your group, at your own pace
Not included
Photos
