St James's Park

dystrophydad

26 Nov 2025

Pelicans in the Park

4

4

Date of visit: October 2025

I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment, accessing toilets and moving around.

I use or have experience of: changing places toilet, disabled toilet, hidden impairment, powerchair, toilet with hoist, toilets, walking aid, wheelchair

Overall Rating

Good

We wandered into St James’s Park on a mid-morning st(roll) near Westminster before heading to an event elsewhere in the city, and it turned out to be such a lovely surprise, even though it has been around since the 1500s. The park is vast and beautiful, with lots of level paths and plenty of benches where you can stop with a hot drink or enjoy a packed lunch. During our visit we were completely taken in by the lakes and their residents – a flock of pelicans – which we mistook for swans at first. The park feels like something out of a fairytale, especially with Buckingham Palace peeking through the trees in the distance.

Disabled Access In and Around

Good

We arrived through the entrance on Horse Guards Road via a set of traffic lights with dropped kerbs and tactile paving on either side. I couldn't see lowered kerbs closer to the entrance but the kerbs are low enough for most wheelchair or powerchair users to bump up. The paths are well maintained and mostly level. When crossing the Blue Bridge I took a left, following the water, before going right up to The Mall. This route had a substantial incline that my power attachment struggled with. I got up but it wasn't easy, even with power, so you may want to consider another route, if this is likely to be a difficulty for you. If you follow The Mall you will be able to see Buckingham Palace, just look out for the large crowds. I had a challenge getting through what I can only describe as a wall of people as I circled round to the other side of the park. On the plus side I got to hear a military band playing Golden from K Pop Demon Hunters! Throughout the park you will find plenty of benches where you can take a break and, if you're facing the lake, see the pelicans. You'll find some coffee kiosks, and St James's Café or the Café at Storey's gate for something a little more substantial. I didn't identify any alternative signage during my time in the park.

Accessible facilities: Step-free entrance, Seating at regular intervals

Parking & Transport

Average

I travelled to this place by walk or wheel

There are two nearby underground stations. Westminster, which is 320 metres away, is wheelchair accessible but St James’s Park, 480 metres away, is not. If you are travelling by bus, the 11 and 148 services stop at Broad Sanctuary, 320 metres away. The following services run via Parliament Street and are roughly 480 metres from the Horse Guards Road entrance: 12, 24, 26, 87, 88, 159, 453, N3, N11, N26, N44, N53, N87, N109, N136, N155 and N381. If you're lucky you may find a parking space on Queen Anne’s Gate, 320 metres from the same entrance, but this area is very busy. Parking isn't great though there may be some space in local car parks like ParkBee Westminster on Abbey Orchard Street or Q Park Victoria on Arneway Street. These are within half a mile. It's worth doing some research before booking either as I didn't visit them. If possible I suggest not taking the car.

Accessible Toilets

There are public toilets at Marlborough Gate. These require a RADAR key. I haven't given a rating as I didn't use the toilets during my trip.

Facilities: Accessible toilet

Staff

This venue is not staffed.