Things to Do Near Buckingham Palace & The Mall
One of the most popular places for tourists to visit in London is Buckingham Palace and The Mall. There are lots of things to see or do near Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park. The area is walkable, and walking is the best way to take it all in.
I’ve enjoyed many walks here throughout the seasons and find it lovely, especially when the sun is out or in the early morning when it’s quiet. One of the busiest times is during the world-famous changing of the guard ceremony.
If you like longer walks with more landmarks, you can also loop past other top places to visit in London, including the Houses of Parliament, Whitehall and Westminster Abbey.
Things to Do Near Buckingham Palace in London
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You can also arrange walking tours of the area’s prime sites on the GetYourGuide website.
Buckingham Palace
One of the most iconic places in London is Buckingham Palace, which is home to the British monarch. Originally known as Buckingham House, the building at the core of today’s palace was a large townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703. King George III acquired Buckingham House in 1761 to be used as a private residence for Queen Charlotte. It then became known as The Queen’s House.
During the 19th century, it was enlarged, adding three wings around a central courtyard. Subsequently, the palace became the London residence of the British monarch upon Queen Victoria’s accession in 1837. You can view the palace from many places, including from the entrance gates, unless it’s busy for an event or the Changing of the Guard.
One of my favourite views is from the bridge in St James’s Park, especially during the autumn months. Another vantage point is the raised platform of the Victoria Memorial. You can also view Buckingham Palace from various points while walking along The Mall. Make sure to cross at the traffic lights to get a full view towards the palace.
The palace is often open for visitors during the summer for various exhibitions. I went to an exhibition about Queen Elizabeth’s wardrobe, which included all the outfits she had worn throughout her reign. You can arrange to visit the State Rooms or enjoy a variety of tours involving Buckingham Palace.
Changing of the Guard
I’ve enjoyed watching the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace on a few occasions. It’s certainly a crowd draw and can get busy. I enjoy watching it from the slightly less crowded Victoria Memorial, which is a great vantage point.
The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place at three places locally. These include Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace, and Wellington Barracks. Expect crowds and police trying to herd tourists off the roads.
On my recent visit, I saw the tail end of the guards marching into St James’s Palace and playing tunes in the courtyard of Buckingham Palace. To find out the times of the ceremony, there is a handy website to confirm when it’s on.
The Victoria Memorial
One of the most eye-catching monuments is the Victoria Memorial, which sits in front of Buckingham Palace. You can see the memorial all the way down The Mall, and the gold features certainly catch the light.
The Victoria Memorial at the end of The Mall is a monument to Queen Victoria. The sculptor Sir Thomas Brock designed the Victoria Memorial in 1901, and it was unveiled in 1911; however, it was not completed until 1924.
The Victoria Memorial is elaborate and has many details. The central pylon of the memorial was made of Pentelic marble. The individual statues were sculpted from Lasa marble and gilt bronze. It’s a massive monument that weighs 2,300 tonnes and is 32 m in diameter.
Explore The Impressive Buildings on The Mall
There are lots of points of interest while strolling along The Mall. Thus, it’s easy to get sidetracked by interesting buildings and features.
The view up The Mall towards Buckingham Palace and Admiralty Arch at the other end is beautiful. They often line the Mall with flags, mostly the Union Jack; however, on my latest visit, they were paired with the Korean flag. The Mall has many monuments and buildings, all with a picturesque backdrop.
Free Things to Do Near Buckingham Palace
St James’s Park
Alongside The Mall is St James’s Park. St James’s Park is an ideal place to relax. The lake in St James’s Park adds to its relaxing nature, and there are many spots to sit and enjoy the views of the water. One of my favourite parts of the park is the bridge where you can get an excellent view of Buckingham Palace.
In the park, there are a few refreshment stands selling snacks, coffee, or beer. There is also a cafe by the lake; this is an ideal place to stop for refreshments.
Autumn and the changing colours are a great time to visit St James’s Park. If you enjoy watching wildlife, St James’s Park has some fascinating birds and some friendly squirrels.
The Royal Parks have various signs out to help you identify the birds that call St James’s Park home.
Green Park
Another of the Royal Parks to visit in London is Green Park. The Green Park is very close to the palace and is easy to reach by tube. If walking from The Ritz towards Buckingham Palace, the views are special. There are also some other notable buildings at the edge of Green Park, including Lancaster House and Spencer House.
The park has some pleasant features, including the Constance Fund fountain of Diana. You can also pick up refreshments to enjoy in the park at kiosks in the park.
Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk
The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Walk passes various palaces, mansions and royal parks. There are 90 plaques on the 7-mile walking route that all relate to the life and times of Princess Diana. You can find the route and download a map here.
Historic Buildings and Ceremonial Sights
Horse Guards Parade
Horse Guards Parade is the venue for the Trooping of the Colour on the King’s official birthday. It has been used since the 17th century for parades, and before that, Henry VIII hosted tournaments, including jousting.
The main building at the edge of the parade ground is the Horse Guards building. This dates from the 18th century; before that, there were barracks and stables used by the Household Cavalry. The building has a walkway through to Whitehall and a clock tower above.
Another pleasant building at the edge of the parade grounds is the Old Admiralty building, which is the former headquarters of the British Navy. When sightseeing in the area, there are many monuments, including the eye-catching Cádiz Memorial.
Admiralty Arch on The Mall
Admiralty Arch is a picturesque landmark building between The Mall and Trafalgar Square. This Grade I-listed building dates from 1912. King Edward VII commissioned the building in memory of his mother, Queen Victoria. Nearby, there is a statue to commemorate Captain James Cook, the explorer.
Lancaster House
Lancaster House, a mansion on The Mall next to Clarence House, is best seen from Green Park. Construction of the house started in 1825 for the Duke of York and Albany, the second son of King George III.
The building was originally called York House, and it was completed in 1840. It changed hands a few times, and since 1922, it has been used as the government’s wine cellar. Lancaster House has been a filming location in various movies and TV shows, often as a stand-in for Buckingham Palace.
Spencer House
Spencer House was built between 1756 and 1766 for Lord and Lady Spencer. In addition to seeing the building, you can join a tour inside and learn its history. Guided tours cover the architecture and the history of the Spencer family.
Bridgewater House
Bridgewater House, like Spencer House, overlooks The Green Park and is a Grade I listed building. The current building was completed in 1854 in the palazzo style. Bridgewater House was built on the site of Berkshire House, which dates back to the 17th century.
Monuments Near Buckingham Palace and The Mall
Duke of York Column
The Duke of York Column is a monument to Prince Frederick, the Duke of York, who was the 2nd son of King George III. The actual monument is at Waterloo Place and Gardens.
The column was erected in 1832, and subsequently, the statue of the Duke of York was added in 1834. The monument is 42 metres tall and built in the Tuscan style. The Duke of York monument weighs 16840 pounds and was built from granite sourced in Aberdeenshire.
The National Police Memorial
On the Mall towards Admiralty Arch, you can visit the National Police Memorial. It’s quite a new monument that was unveiled in 2005. It commemorates the 4000-plus police officers killed in the line of duty.
Royal Artillery Boer War Memorial
On The Mall is the Royal Artillery Boer War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1910. It commemorates the deaths of the 1083 soldiers of the Royal Artillery who died in the Second Boer War, which took place between 1899 and 1902.
The standout feature of the monument is its life-size bronze horse statue. This horse is being calmed down by a winged personification of Peace.
Wellington Arch
The Wellington Arch was originally built as the entrance of Buckingham Palace and subsequently became a victory arch. The arch was to celebrate the Duke of Wellington’s victory over Napoleon, hence the name. The main decorative feature of the arch is the Angel of Peace descending on a four-horsed chariot. You can also visit inside the arch and use it as a viewpoint.
Galleries and Places to Visit Nearby
The King’s Gallery
The King’s Gallery is Buckingham Palace’s public art gallery. Inside are various works of art from the Royal Collection. These are shown on a rotating basis, as the Royal Collection is vast. The Royal Collection is one of the largest and most important art collections in the world, with over a million objects on rotation. You can book tickets to enter the King’s Gallery on their website.
The Mall Galleries
If you enjoy art, then a nice thing to do is to visit the Mall Galleries. I’ve visited a few times and enjoyed seeing the contemporary art inside. Many of the exhibitions in the Mall Galleries are free to enter; however, some incur a charge. They have various exhibits here; you can find out about current and future exhibitions on their website.
The Ritz Hotel
The Ritz is a luxury and expensive place to stay and is often used as the pinnacle of opulent accommodation. Their neoclassical hotel has been open since 1906 and quickly became the most prestigious hotel in the city. You can find out what to expect on the Booking.com website.
The Ritz is known for their afternoon tea, which is served in the hotel. The hotel has a wonderful selection of teas to choose from, which is accompanied by sandwiches and pastries.
Getting to Buckingham Palace by Underground
You can get here using buses or the tube. The nearest underground stations are:
- Green Park
- Hyde Park Corner
- St James’s Park
- Victoria