Royal Parks, The Mall, Buckingham Palace & St James’s Palace - Running & Walking Route (2.3 km)
- Philip Carey
- Oct 13, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 21
Running and Walking Route Overview
Route: 12 of 16 — Across London Visual Marathon
Start: Piccadilly Circus Station
Finish: Green Park Station
Distance: 2.3 km
Estimated Time: 12-20 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Best Time: Early morning weekends,
Overview: South of Piccadilly Circus Station, runs Pall Mall, The Mall and St James's Piccadilly — the ceremonial heart of Britain — past St James's Palace and Buckingham Palace, through St James's Park and Green Park, finishing at Green Park Underground Station. Royal London at its most magnificent
The Experience
Starting at Charing Cross Station, this 2.3 km self-guided running and walking route takes you through the ceremonial heart of the British monarchy. Stride down Pall Mall past the gentlemen's clubs of St James's, turn onto The Mall — London's grandest processional avenue — with St James's Palace on one side and St James's Park on the other. Continue to Buckingham Palace and then through Green Park to Green Park Underground Station. In the early morning, The Mall is empty and extraordinary — a half-mile of royal red tarmac with only birdsong and runners for company.
The Familiarisation Guide
Essential information to help you become familiar with the route before you arrive.
Maps
Use the Google and Strava maps below to stay on track. They show your location relative to the route, helping you explore confidently without getting lost.
Please note: These don't provide turn-by-turn directions—we want you present and alert, using your senses, not glued to your screen.
Both maps will open in a new tab.
Watch the Route at Running Speed (Treadmill Version) 10:52
See the route from a runner's perspective as if you were running at 12 km/h. Watch this before you go to familiarise yourself visually with what's ahead.
What to Know Before You Go
Best Time to Stride:
Early morning, especially weekends, when there are no crowds, the light is at its best, and you have the rest of the day ahead of you.
Changing of the Guard:
At Buckingham Palace, normally occurs at 11:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The New Guard arrives from St James's Palace and Wellington Barracks at approximately 10:45.
The Mall on Sundays:
Closed to traffic during the day, making it perfect for a peaceful stride.
Terrain Notes:
Some of the route is on roads, and pavements can be busy around Piccadilly Circus. It will be crowded around Buckingham Palace during the Changing of the Guard.
Accessibility:
The area around Buckingham Palace can be crowded, with some uneven areas within Green Park.
Top Tip:
Have this guide and your chosen map (Google or Strava) available on your mobile for quick reference.
The Route Connoisseur Guide
Don't just run the route - get to know it!
Eating and drinking areas
Things to Do and Visit,
Sightseeing Gallery
Where to Eat & Drink - Key Dining Areas:
Shepherd Market and Piccadilly Circus – Largest and most varied selection
South Mayfair – Quality options
Piccadilly and St James's – Historic venues
Around Hyde Park Corner – Five-star hotels and high-end venues
Things to Do
Piccadilly Circus and Haymarket:
Many theatres, cinemas, and entertainment venues
St James's Park Area:
Changing of the King's Life Guard
ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts)
Mall Galleries
Guards Museum
Horse Guards Museum
Buckingham Palace:
Changing of the Guard
The Queen's Gallery
The Royal Mews
State Rooms and Gardens tours (summer only)
St James's Park:
Fantastic walking and relaxation spot
Wildlife and lakeside views
The Sightseeing Guide
Once you know the route, dive deeper into the stories and sights that make this stride special.
Key Sights Along the Way
Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly and Jermyn Street
Waterloo Place
Pall Mall
St James's Palace
The Mall
St James's Park
Changing of the Guard
Buckingham Palace
Green Park
Explore the gallery below for photos, history, and the stories behind each location.
360° Virtual Tour
Step into the route before you stride it—or relive your experience afterwards. Click the map below to explore interactive 360° views at key locations along the way.
The virtual tour opens in a new tab with a map showing all 360° locations. Click any location icon to be transported to that spot.
Follow-On Routes
Stride It Backwards:
Complete the route in reverse to experience London's ancient heart from a different perspective.
Previous Route: Covent Garden, London Eye, Big Ben, Leicester Square – 5.7 km
Complete The Central London Collection Challenge - 9.4 km:
This route is number 12 and the second one in the Central London collection
