The London Trip Day 2: St. James Park & Buckingham Palace

London Trip Day 2: St. James Park & Buckingham Palace

The London Trip

St. James Park, Buckingham Palace and the Punishment Parade

With plenty of time before dinner at NOPI and plenty of sightseeing choices, we headed towards St. James Royal Park, a walk’s distance from where we were staying.

As we happily meandered through the old narrow streets of London towards our destination, we came upon a medieval fortress right out of the history books. In fact, it captured our attention enough for us to latch onto the tour group in front of it. Turns out it is called St. James’s Palace.

The next major stop on the tour was Buckingham Palace.  As we stood in front of the majestic sight, the tour guide told us what we later learned is every tour guide’s favorite story – the 1982 Michael Fagan incident – where a down on his luck inebriated Brit broke into the Palace, no less the bedroom of the Queen … a huge security breach with major staff restructuring repercussions.

Soon enough it was time to head back towards Leicester Square and change for NOPI.  On the route back, passing by yet another historic manor we saw batches of people heading towards an opening in the place.  We couldn’t help but to veer off to see what all the fuss was about.

Turns out it was time for the “The Four ‘O’ Clock Parade” ceremony (there’s no shortage of parades in London). We made it just in time to squeeze into a spot with a partially unobstructed view. Showtime! 

Also called the “Dismounting Ceremony” and “Punishment Parade”, this ritual takes place at 4 pm, or 16:00 hours, in the courtyard in front of the “Horse Guards” building facing Whitehall road in the City of Westminster.

BAFTA iconic London home at 195 Piccadilly in the heart of London's West End and Soho neighborhood
...on the way to St. James Park
… on the way to St. James Park, this medieval era building on Marlborough Road is St James's Palace, the most senior royal palace in the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, although no longer the principal residence of the monarch, it is the ceremonial meeting place of the Accession Council and the London residence of several minor members of the royal family.
... turning onto Marlborough Road headed for St. James Palace
section of the medieval St. James Place manor
Burlington House is located in Mayfair, London, the city’s affluent West End originally a private mansion owned by the Earl of Burlington it was purchased and expanded by the British government in the mid-19th century Today it houses art exhibitions from the Royal Academy, which is housed in the north end of the main building - with the other 4 sides occupied by the 5 learned societies together called “Courtyard Societies”
Buckingham Palace is the London residence and administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom
Buckingham Palace landscapes
St. James Park Lake
St. James Park info
London Trip Day 2: St. James Park & Buckingham Palace
people head towards "Horse Guards” courtyard entryway for “The Four 'O' Clock Parade”
one of several entrances into St. James Park
heading towards Buckingham Palace
St. James Park Lake
St. James Park Lake
St. James Park Lake
heading towards "Horse Guards” building