St James Travel Guide

London

A historic building with classical architecture, surrounded by autumn leaves.
A black car parked in front of a historic building with large columns and ornate architecture.
A grand building with large arched entrances and a prominent inscription above the door.
A historic archway with intricate stone carvings and a large ornate gate.
A grand building with large arches and a clock tower.

Visit royal residences, acclaimed galleries and one of London’s poshest shops in this central area. Attend a show at historic theatres and hang out in a Royal Park.

Ritzy St. James’s sits between lush parks and Trafalgar Square at the edge of London’s West End. Developed as a residential neighbourhood for British nobility in the 1600s, today it maintains an air of elite sophistication. Visit St. James’s to discover aristocratic and royal residences alongside century-old theatres, gourmet restaurants, high-end retailers and outstanding art exhibitions.

Admire the Tudor-era St. James’s Palace, which is a London residence of the Royal Family. Clarence House is a home of the Prince of Wales and open in August for guided tours. See the lavish rooms of Spencer House, a townhouse built by an ancestor of Princess Diana. Grand Georgian mansions frame leafy St. James’s Square.

Piccadilly street epitomizes the area’s refined retail. Browse for gourmet treats and luxury homeware and enjoy afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason. Find a chocolatier, milliner and other artisans at Princes Arcade and bespoke menswear on Jermyn Street. Piccadilly Market presents arts and crafts in the church courtyard of St. James’s Piccadilly.

The galleries of St. James’s cater to a range of tastes. Peruse works by Scottish Colourists at Portland Gallery and contemporary masterpieces at White Cube Mason’s Yard. The Institute of Contemporary Arts is a combined cinema, gallery and theatre.

Book tickets for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre. The Theatre Royal Haymarket puts on plays and musicals for all ages. From British pub food to Italian, Scandinavian and West African flavours, St. James’s Market is an epicurean wonderland.

The lush environment of St. James’s Park is ideal for picnics and enjoying London’s natural side. Spot waterbirds, watch a daily pelican feeding and stroll along crisscrossing pathways. On the park’s north side, The Mall connects Buckingham Palace with Trafalgar Square. This ceremonial avenue is the setting for parades such as The Changing of the Guard.

St. James’s is served by the Green Park and Piccadilly Circus underground stations plus several public bus lines. Travel here in November for the star-studded Regent Street Christmas Lights Switch-On.

Stay near popular St James attractions

A red brick building with ornate gold detailing, including a clock and decorative panels.

Fortnum & Mason

You can do some window-shopping at Fortnum & Mason during your trip to London. Amble around this vibrant area's riverfront or experience its acclaimed art galleries.
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Things to do

Skip-the-Line London Eye Experience Tickets

Fast Track London Eye Entry Ticket

฿1,946
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Fast Track London Eye Entry Ticket
London Eye Entry Ticket

London Eye Entry Ticket

฿1,283
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
London Eye Entry Ticket
City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional River Cruise

City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Bookable Extras

฿1,106
per adult
76% of travellers recommend
City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Bookable Extras
Tower Bridge Admission Tickets

Tower Bridge Admission Tickets

฿796
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Tower Bridge Admission Tickets
City Cruises Lunch Cruise on the River Thames

City Cruises Lunch Cruise on the River Thames

฿1,459
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
City Cruises Lunch Cruise on the River Thames
Shrek's Adventure Tickets

Shrek's Adventure! London Tickets

฿929
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Shrek's Adventure! London Tickets
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Top hotels in St James

Moxy London Piccadilly Circus

Moxy London Piccadilly Circus

3 out of 5
1 Jermyn Street London England
The price is ฿4,771 per night from 1 Nov to 2 Nov
฿4,771
฿5,726 total
1 Nov - 2 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square are ...
8.2/10 Very good! (578 reviews)
"Helpful staff. One downside was that the larger trash cans on room floors was by the elevator. Each morning when we left residents had left take-out containers from the night before in the trash near the elevators and caused a bad smell."

Reviewed on 14 Oct 2026

Moxy London Piccadilly Circus
Otherwander Soho Pod Hotel (ADULTS ONLY)

Otherwander Soho Pod Hotel (ADULTS ONLY)

2 out of 5
91-92 Dean Street London England
The price is ฿2,202 per night from 25 Oct to 26 Oct
฿2,202
฿2,642 total
25 Oct - 26 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, rainfall showerheads and slippers. Popular attractions Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus are located ...
Otherwander Soho Pod Hotel (ADULTS ONLY)
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus

Zedwell Piccadilly Circus

3 out of 5
Great Windmill Street London England
The price is ฿4,099 per night from 18 Oct to 19 Oct
฿4,099
฿4,919 total
18 Oct - 19 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and premium bedding. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
The Tower Hotel, by Thistle

The Tower Hotel, by Thistle

4 out of 5
St Katharine's Way London England
The price is ฿4,968 per night from 1 Nov to 2 Nov
฿4,968
฿5,962 total
1 Nov - 2 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their ...
8.4/10 Very good! (10,819 reviews)
"We loved our stay at the Tower Hotel thank you! We disappointingly couldn’t afford to upgrade to the Tower Bridge view room when we were offered it (it is our dream). Imagine our surprise and delight when we walked into our room to find we had an amazing view of the bridge!!! Thank you so much, our ..."

Reviewed on 14 Oct 2026

The Tower Hotel, by Thistle
Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge

Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge

4 out of 5
200 Westminster Bridge Road London England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿7,958 per night from 15 Nov to 16 Nov
฿7,958
฿9,549 total
15 Nov - 16 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in London. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (6,405 reviews)
"What a beautiful hotel, room and bathroom were large, clean, and very comfortable beds. Of course the location is amazing."

Reviewed on 14 Oct 2026

Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge
Royal Garden Hotel

Royal Garden Hotel

5 out of 5
2-24 Kensington High Street London England
The price is ฿9,672 per night from 29 Oct to 30 Oct
฿9,672
฿11,606 total
29 Oct - 30 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
Royal Garden Hotel
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Where to stay in St James

Find the best St James areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A modern glass building, the Shard, and the Tower Bridge in the background during sunset.

London City Centre

Known for its fascinating museums, stunning river views and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in London City Centre. Top attractions like Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus are major draws. Catch the metro at Charing Cross Underground Station or Leicester Square Underground Station to see more of the city.

The exterior of the Covent Garden Market with the Punch & Judy theatre and Central Avenue entrance.

Covent Garden

The lively bars and colourful gardens are just a few top-rate features of the neighbourhood. Make a stop by Covent Garden Market or London Transport Museum while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Covent Garden Underground Station to get around town.

A large white archway with intricate carvings, surrounded by trees and people walking.

City of Westminster

Big Ben and Trafalgar Square are a few top attractions in City of Westminster. Hop around the city on the metro at St. James's Park Underground Station or Victoria Underground Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

A bustling street with a 'Welcome to Carnaby Street' archway, vintage shops, and pedestrians.

Soho

Soho is beloved for its fantastic nightlife. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Oxford Street and Soho Theatre.

A street lined with shops, including DKNY and Rolex, and a white van on the road.

Mayfair

Travellers love Mayfair for its popular shops, and you can see more of London by jumping on the metro at Bond Street Underground Station or Bond Street (Elizabeth Line) Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Oxford Street and Sotheby’s.

St James Travel Guide