London area of St James's guide

What to do and where to stay in London's St James's neighbourhood

Once the London home of the very wealthiest members of the British aristocracy, almost every building lining the streets of St. James’s is a palace – though now most play host to corporate headquarters and grand hotels rather than famous families. Pall Mall is the home of London’s gentleman’s clubs, in whose backrooms the new aristocracy of newspaper editors, CEOs, generals and investment bankers swig brandy and make insider deals. Their expensive tastes are catered to by the exclusive boutiques, delicatessens and tailors of Jermyn Street, and the grand theatres of Haymarket. To the south, St. James’s Park is one of the loveliest of the Royal parks, full of semi-tame wildlife and landscaped gardens. Stand on the bridge in the middle of the lake for a perfect London view, with Buckingham Palace on one side, and the palaces of Whitehall on the other.

See our recommended nearby St James's Hotels, Events, Entertainment, Sights and Attractions, Shopping, Restaurants, Pubs, Nightlife, Leisure, Education, and Meeting Venues.

St James's Club and Hotel
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel
7-8 Park Place, SW1A
Naming the St James's Hotel 'and Club' is a clever way of letting you know exactly what to expect from this establishment. Tucked away down a ... More

 

 

Le Meridien Piccadilly
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel
21 Piccadilly, W1J
... More

 

 

The Ritz London
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel
150 Piccadilly, W1J
... More

 

 

Hotels in St James's

 

The 39 Steps
London > Events > Theatre
Criterion Theatre, 218-223 Piccadilly, Piccadilly Circus, St James's, London SW1Y
Hitchcock's 1935 movie is a masterpiece of sustained adventure, as the hero - framed for murder - becomes both pursuer and prey for a shadowy international ... More

 

 

The Phantom of the Opera
London > Events > Theatre
Her Majesty's Theatre, Haymarket, St James's, London SW1Y
Andrew Lloyd Webber's most enduring hit has been running since 1984 and is still as popular with audiences and critics as it ever was. Phantom of ... More

 

 

London Festival of Architecture
London > Events > Exhibitions
Mall Galleries, The Mall, St James's, London SW1Y
'The Playful City' is the theme for this year's London Festival of Architecture. Spread across various locations during a summer in the city that welcomes the ... More

 

 

Events in St James's

 

Pigalle
London > Entertainment > Jazz Clubs
215-217 Piccadilly, London, St James's, London W1J
Forties-themed late-night supper club. If you’re considering a more glamorous and alternative evening’s entertainment, head to Piccadilly and burlesque cabaret club, Pigalle. Inspired by the genteel, romantic ... More

 

 

Apollo West End
London > Entertainment > Cinemas
19 (Lower) Regent Street, London, St James's, London SW1Y
This five-screen venue is big on comfort and style - and has plenty of indie cred. Built on the site of the old Plaza Cinema, which ... More

 

 

Entertainment in St James's

 

Clarence House
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
St James's Palace, London, St James's, London SW1
The home of the Queen Mother from 1953 to 2002, a tour of Clarence House is an excellent way of experiencing the living history of the ... More

 

 

The Royal Society
London > Attractions > Venue Hire
6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London, St James's, London SW1Y
... More

 

 

White Cube Mason's Yard
London > Attractions > Art Galleries
25-26 Mason's Yard, Off Duke Street, London, St James's, London SW1Y
In 2000, Jay Jopling's pioneering White Cube gallery - the spiritual home of the Young British Artists - upped sticks from its home in St James's ... More

 

 

Sights and Attractions in St James's

 

Lock & Co
London > Shopping > Clothing
6 St James's Street, London, St James's, London SW1A
Founded in 1676, for centuries Lock & Co. has been the place to shop for a top hat if you're off to Ascot. The quaint shop ... More

 

 

John Lobb's & Co
London > Shopping > Shoes
9 St James's Street, London, St James's, London SW1A
This historic bootmakers in St James's has been ensuring its well heeled customers remain as such since it was set up by Cornish farmboy John Lobb ... More

 

 

Berry Bros & Rudd
London > Shopping > Wine Merchants
3 St James's Street, London, St James's, London SW1A
300-year-old wine emporium. From £5 bottles of Berry’s Good Ordinary Claret to £7000 bottles of Romanée Conti this historic wine emporium has something to suit every palate. ... More

 

 

Shopping in St James's

 

Pret A Manger
London > Restaurants > Cafes and Delis
21 Crown Passage, London, St James's, London SW1Y
Pret sells up market fast food, hand made from natural ingredients, to take away or eat on site, in its trademark no nonsense chrome interiors. The ... More

 

 

L'Oranger
London > Restaurants > Modern European restaurants
5 St James's Street, London, St James's, London SW1A
Haute cuisine. Booking essential. Separate room for parties. Tables on patio. Occasional live entertainment. Dress smart casual. ... More

 

 

Il Vicolo
London > Restaurants > Modern European restaurants
3-4 Crown Passage, Pall Mall, , London, St James's, London SW1Y
... More

 

 

Restaurants in St James's

 

The Reform Club
London > Nightlife > Pubs
104 Pall Mall, London, St James's, London SW1Y
Located in the heart of London's traditional Clubland in Pall Mall, The Reform Club was founded in 1836 and was membership was initially restricted to those who ... More

 

 

Waxy O'Connors
London > Nightlife > Pubs
14-16 Rupert Street, London, St James's, London W1D
Located where it is, Waxy’s is fairly predictable. It’s expensive, it’s busy and it’s got a fair smattering of tourists, but it also has that certain ... More

 

 

Waxy's Little Sister
London > Nightlife > Pubs
20 Wardour Street, London, St James's, London W1D
If you're not up for the hectic atmosphere of Waxy O'Connors it might be worth slipping across the street to her infinitely more tranquil Little Sister. ... More

 

 

Pubs in St James's

 

Dukes Hotel: Cognac and Cigar Garden
London > Nightlife > Bars
35 St James's Place, London, St James's, London SW1A
Famous for its martinis - a favourite with James Bond author Ian Fleming - Dukes Hotel extends its drinking area to include an outdoor Cognac and ... More

 

 

Institute of Contemporary Art Bar & Cafe
London > Nightlife > Bars
12 Carlton House Terrace, The Mall, London, St James's, London SW1Y
The Institute of Contemporary Art on The Mall (just down the road from the Queen's pad) is a great place for a trendy drink after taking ... More

 

 

Nightlife in St James's

 

Catalyst Health and Fitness Ltd
London > Leisure > Fitness
30 Bury Street, London, St James's, London SW1Y
Catalyst personal trainers are among the best in London. Get fit without doing yourself an injury, lose weight with a specially devised programme or build your ... More

 

 

So SPA Sofitel St James
London > Leisure > Health and Beauty
6 Waterloo Place, London, St James's, London SW1Y
Opened in July 2009, So SPA by Sofitel is a stunning relaxation space - all marble and modern design - housed within the Sofitel St James ... More

 

 

Green Park
London > Leisure > Parks and Gardens
Piccadilly, London, St James's, London W1J
Although many of the parks in London are officially owned by the sovereign, it is the four central London parks (one of which is Green Park) ... More

 

 

Leisure in St James's

 

Education in St James's

 

Spencer House
London > Business > Venue Hire
27 St James's Place, London, St James's, London SW1A
Spencer family's 18th London residence. The ancestral home of Diana, Princess of Wales, the Spencer family hasn’t lived in this, their London residence, since 1926. Following ... More

 

 

Institute of Directors - IOD
London > Business > Venue Hire
116 Pall Mall, London, St James's, London SW1Y
... More

 

 

195 Piccadilly (BAFTA)
London > Business > Venue Hire
195 Piccadilly, London, St James's, London W1J
The home of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is also available to hire for your own event. The iconic building at 195 ... More

 

 

Meeting Venues in St James's