Built on the site of a leper hospital, St James's Palace has had an eventful history. Although no sovereign has lived there for over 200 years, it is still the official residence of the Queen and is the most senior royal palace in the UK, thus giving its name to the Royal Court. The Palace was built between 1531 and 1536, and was intended as a secondary palace to Whitehall. Built in red brick around four courtyards, the architecture was originally Tudor, but little of it survives today except the Chapel Royal (commemorating the marriage of Anne of Cleves to Henry VIII) and the Queen's Chapel, which are the only parts of the palace open to the public today. Services are held in these chapels on Sunday mornings.

Address

Marlborough Rd, London SW1A 1BS

Getting There

Tube: Jubilee, Picadilly and Victoria lines (Green Park); Bakerloo and Northern lines (Charing Cross).

Bus: Lines 9 and N9 (Pall Mall/St. James's Palace)