Westminster

The Mall

Westminster, Central London

The Mall is the ceremonial road that leads from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace.  It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens to provide a suitable avenue along which the King and his entourage could process in state carriages and coaches, accompanied by the mounted soldiers of the Household Cavalry.  It was opened in the 1900's in time for King Edward VII and his Queen Alexandra to use it, and has been part of the route for such state occasions as the Coronations of King George V, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.  Memorably it was also part of the route for the funeral of the late Princess Diana.

Left: The Mall - photo courtesy S Worsfold

At the west end of The Mall stands Buckingham Palace, the London home of the Queen.  In front of the Palace is the grandiose state to Queen Victoria. 

The Mall is bordered on the south side by St. James' Park - a magnificent and beautifully laid out oasis of grass, flowers and birds, and much loved by the many workers from the St. James Park and Victoria areas, who use the park's facilities at lunchtime.

The north side of the Mall is bordered by St. James' Palace, Clarence House (the London home of The Prince of Wales), Carlton Hosue Terrace and the Institute of Contemporary Arts.

The Mall is best on a Spring morning with the sun shining along its full length and without the traffic which pounds its length on most days.  If you are really lucky you will catch the Household Cavalry on their splendid black horses as they process down the Mall on thier morning ride back to their barracks.                                                                            

   Below: Household Cavalry in the Mall by SW                                                                      

Nearest Tube stations: Charing Cross and St. James Park.

Parking virtually impossible.

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