St James's Palace

St James's Palace, London's oldest surviving royal palace (built by Henry VIII), remains a working royal residence and office — unlike Buckingham Palace, it is not generally open to the public.

What You Can See

The Tudor gatehouse facing Pall Mall is the palace's most recognisable public-facing feature — a genuinely impressive piece of 16th-century brickwork viewable from the street. The Chapel Royal within the grounds occasionally holds public services.

Why It Matters

Ambassadors to the UK are technically still accredited to "the Court of St James's" rather than to Buckingham Palace — a historical quirk reflecting the palace's former status as the primary royal residence.

Getting There

Green Park station (Piccadilly, Victoria and Jubilee lines) is a short walk.

Tips

• View the Tudor gatehouse from Pall Mall — the main publicly visible feature.
• Check Chapel Royal service times if you're interested in attending.