Image by Black Taxi Tours of London
Tucked away just moments from Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace is one of London’s most overlooked royal landmarks. Built between 1531 and 1536 by King Henry VIII, its distinctive red-brick Tudor façade has survived fires, wars, and centuries of royal drama, making it the oldest royal palace still in use in the UK.
Although monarchs no longer live here, St James’s Palace remains an important working royal residence. It’s where ambassadors are formally accredited to the British monarch, and many members of the Royal Family still have official offices within its historic walls.
One of the palace’s most curious traditions dates back hundreds of years. Officially, the British Royal Court is still known as the Court of St James’s, even though the monarch has lived at Buckingham Palace since Queen Victoria moved there in 1837. It’s a bit like continuing to send invitations to your old house nearly 200 years after you’ve moved!
While the palace itself isn’t generally open to the public, visitors can admire its impressive Tudor architecture from the outside and enjoy nearby highlights such as St James’s Park, Clarence House, and The Mall. For anyone exploring royal London, St James’s Palace offers a fascinating glimpse into the city’s rich history and a reminder that sometimes the oldest buildings still have the most important jobs.
See St James’s Palace on a black cab tour of London!