A couple of Sundays ago, my partner and I met up with a friend for lunch at the Buckingham Arms, a traditional London pub near Buckingham Palace. We chose it because it was convenient for us all to get to, and we hopped on the C10 bus from outside our apartment to Victoria, then took a short walk to the pub. Given its central location, we’d wondered whether it might be rather touristy, but we were pleasantly surprised. It’s a charming old boozer with plenty of character and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. If you’re looking for the best pubs near Buckingham Palace or St James’s Park, the Buckingham Arms is perfect.
Sunday Lunch At The Buckingham Arms
The Buckingham Arms is a proper old-fashioned London pub, with a cosy interior and a good selection of real ales and craft beers. It’s also one of only five pubs to have featured in every edition of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide since it was first published in 1974, which is quite an achievement. Despite being so close to some of London’s busiest tourist attractions, it still feels like a traditional local rather than somewhere catering purely to visitors.
For lunch, I had the veggie roast, our friend chose the chicken roast, and my partner had fish and chips. We’d brought along our little Jack Tzu, who made herself comfortable and enjoyed a snooze while we ate. It was lovely to have a leisurely Sunday lunch together, catching up over good food in such pleasant surroundings.
A Stroll Through St James’s Park And Green Park
After lunch, we headed to nearby St James’s Park for a stroll. It’s one of London’s oldest Royal Parks and a beautiful green space right in the heart of Westminster, surrounded by famous landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards Parade and the Mall. The park is particularly well known for its ornamental lake, picturesque bridges and wonderful variety of birdlife. From the Blue Bridge, you get lovely views toward Buckingham Palace in one direction and Horse Guards and Whitehall in the other.
Plenty of ducks swam on the lake, which our little dog found fascinating, and we also spotted some of the park’s famous pelicans. Pelicans have been associated with St James’s Park since 1664, when they were first presented to King Charles II, and they’re still one of the park’s most unusual attractions. Alongside the pelicans, the lake attracts swans, geese and other waterbirds, making it a lovely place to watch the wildlife while enjoying a leisurely walk.
From St James’s Park, we continued into Green Park, another of London’s Royal Parks, with a different character. Unlike St James’s Park, with its lake, flowerbeds and ornamental gardens, Green Park is known for its wide-open lawns, mature trees and peaceful, leafy paths. It’s also home to several memorials, including the Canada Memorial and the Bomber Command Memorial. If you fancy extending your walk, Hyde Park is also nearby, just beyond Hyde Park Corner, and offers even more green space to explore.
Helpful Information About The Buckingham Arms And Nearby Parks
The Buckingham Arms pub is located at 62 Petty France, Westminster, London SW1H 9EU. The nearest Underground station is St James’s Park, served by the Circle and District lines, while Victoria station is also within walking distance and offers Underground, National Rail and bus connections. For opening times, menus and booking information, visit the Buckingham Arms website.
St James’s Park and Green Park are both free to visit and open daily. You can find further information about opening times, accessibility and facilities on the Royal Parks website for St James’s Park and Green Park. Green Park Underground station is served by the Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria lines, making it a convenient place to finish your walk.
While you are in the area, you might find this article of interest:
Ten Best Things To Do In Victoria London
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. I only write about coffee shops or eateries where I had a good experience. I recommend you do further research, as standards fluctuate, as do opinions. Please verify that the establishment is still in business and check its opening times before visiting.