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Our walk today takes into the secret world of St James’s with its many passages, courtyards and cellars. We’re guided by a route described in Secret London by Andrew Duncan which starts at Piccadilly Circus and goes along Piccadilly. We then walk through the Wren Church of St James’s Piccadilly to Jermyn Street and follow this into Bennet Street and then down a set of steps into Park Place and the home of the Royal Over Seas League. From here we find Blue Ball Yard and then Spencer House in St James’s Place and another secret passage that leads into Green Park. From here a passageway takes us into Cleveland Row and St James’s Palace. Moving towards Pall Mall we explore the wonderful Picking Place, Crown Passage, Angel Passage and King Street before returning to Jermyn Street and then back to Piccadilly Circus.
Music:
Dismantle – Peter Sandberg
Hero (Instrumental Version) – Zorro
from Epidemic Sound
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35 Comments
Really splendid walk. However you missed something – a bit of Africa in St James’s.
Great walk.
Hello Fresh has been maddeningly aggressive with its marketing recently. Had to turn off John, sorry. Thanks for all you do
Love these kind of walks 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
Nice and engaging video, as always, Pickering Place is such a special place. The embassy of Texas found a place in that building, until 1845 when they joined the United States. It was only a small embassy, the office was behind the door on the right side of the passage entering from the street. You can see a memorial plate on the wall too, at 18:43 on the right. Another maybe interesting fact, Napoleon the Third used to live there during his exile, and they say he usually took his walk in that small courtyard.
Pickering Place was the location of the Republic of Texas Embassy.
That really was a secret walk John I know the area quite well nevertheless most of those passages I’ve walked past so often never even knew that they were there… I do struggle with the amount of wealth in that area, but such is life. I really like that camera though .
I think it’s the sound of passing people all the sounds it makes me feel at least I’m alongside with you😊
I know John has to make a crust, & his videos are wonderful, but interruptions to big up Hello Fresh was extremely irritating.
Hey John congrats on the sponsor, I'll see if they are available in U.S. l like all the hidden passages.
Hi John. We've been enjoying your videos for some time, but we believe that sponsorship takes away your independence. It seems a bit beneath you to advertise a food company in the midst of your London trsvelogue. Adverts spoil YouTube when they pop up mid- presentation, but supposing we ordered from Hello Fresh and it turned out to be disappointing? We feel that your intimate videos are now commercialised, and that your delightful tours are now an opportunity to sell us something. Nevertheless, kindest regards. Dave and Katie
Interesting video and walk, I have this book too, bought it in a used book sale the other year, took it out after watching John’s video and my bookmark was in the St James’s walk section, quite a confidence that I’d been intrigued with the same walk and buildings.
Probably several people have already commented about William Huskisson. He ismist famous nowadays for being the first person to be killed by a train. He wasone of the dignitaries at the official opening of the Liverpool to Manchester Railway in around 1830. They had all disembarked and he spotted the Prime Minister on the other side of the track, went over to talk to him and was mown down by Stephenson's Rocket.
I love that Andrew Duncan book. I have used it many times to find interesting places to explore. Great walk, so many little surprises!
The sculptor of the Beau Brummel statue also sculpted the Freddie Mercury statue on Lake Geneva. (Her daughter was a walking companion of mine.)
Really great, John! Highly enjoyable! ❤️
Great stuff. I worked near Trafalgar square for a few years and one of my favourite lunchtime walks was down Pall Mall, past St James's Palace and Clarence house and into Green Park through the passage you exited the park from. Re the lack of tourists/interest around St James's Palace, somehow I think it's a bit of a forbidding place – the sentries by Clarence house with their guns contribute to that general sense – and I never felt that comfortable hanging around for long
Another great video. Got a copy of Andrew Duncan's Secret London earlier in the year, so defiantly be doing this walk. Looking forward to the book.
Fascinating! Sadly,I can't do london anymore, my knees won't allow it.😊
Thank you John
What a fabulous walk! I went to London this year and I loved it! Want to go again next year!
Wonderful as always – thank you!
Fantastic video! This is one of favourite routes when we're in London (with a "rest" at the Three Crowns)
So glad you got some sponsorship! Go You! Loved this walk.
I dislike these new fish eye lens
Nice to see you have a sponsor and although i havent used them they sound like a decent company.
Several "hidden" Masonic buildings in St. James' too! And of course, 93 Jermyn Street – one of Aleister Crowley's most famous addresses in London.
William Huskisson was widely noted as the first notable railway fatality having been run over by Stephensons Rocket during the opening of the liverpool manchester line . Being representative for liverpool at the time he was a great advocate of the railways . There is a statue to his memory in st georges square park pimlico within the grounds of the new england kindergarten where Lady Diana Spencer worked . Might be a good area to do a walk around .
A great book – and an excellent video!
John,you are an egalitarian sort of person so i guess youve rather dismissed St James area as being full of wealth and privilege. We all have these prejudices. Its great when by chance maybe,one finds out different. Love the cooking bits. You and Rick Stein. I think the church of St James Picadilly is very alternative.
Ive walked along Jermyn St but with my usual lack of observation missed all that,but it was a hot day and i was trying to find a bus stop!
I enjoyed your guided tour but one wonders at the point of a few destinations in the book, down run down alleyways, to look at the dull rear exterior of one or two buildings. lol
Hello! I'm back…been at a bit of a low ebb recently but your videos are always a bright spot in the week…long may you run sir!
This one has exponentially expanded my respect for London cabbies!
Great walk that one, thanks John. I have visited a few of the pubs in the area but have never ventured down many of the passages, incredible!
Terrific stuff, John. So many hidden gems in that area, and positively dripping in history. My partner and I will soon be following your footsteps along those mysterious passages.
I was at St. James' Palace trying to walk to Marble Arch but couldnt find that path into Green Park… Ended up having to walk up Park Lane 😷.