St. James Park is considered by many to be the most beautiful of London’s Parks. The land was originally a marsh, but King Henry VIII ordered the land to be drained and transformed into a Deer Park for the nearby St. James Palace.
In the seventeenth century the Deer Park was converted into Gardens by French landscape gardener Andre Le Notre under command of King Charles II. Along the southern border of the Park an aviary was built- this area is still known as Birdcage Walk. In the nineteenth century John Nash was commissioned to landscape the gardens further by the Prince Regent.
The area is popular with bird lovers, with Ducks and Pelicans making their home here. The lake is now a bird sanctuary and it has its own geese and black swans as well as ducks and pelicans. From the bridge that crosses the lake, there is a glorious view of Buckingham Palace. There is also a magnificent view of the rooftops at Whitehall.
Throughout the summer months a band entertains the city's workers who use the park as a tranquil oasis during lunch. The park has a children’s play area and its own café within the grounds.
