Hotel Near St James’s Palace, London: 10 Minutes on the Piccadilly Line
Stay at Mowbray Court Hotel
Photo: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0
Looking for a hotel near St James’s Palace? Mowbray Court Hotel in Earl’s Court is about 25 minutes away, door to door. Walk 3 minutes to Earl’s Court station, then take the Piccadilly line to Green Park: 10 minutes, no change. From there it is about 8 minutes on foot down St James’s Street to the palace gatehouse.
Updated 4 November 2026 · checked on royal.uk, the Household Division website and the TfL Journey Planner.
How do you get from Earl's Court to the palace?
The quickest route is the Piccadilly line to Green Park. Trains run straight through from Earl’s Court, so there is no change of train. Green Park station is on the Piccadilly, Victoria and Jubilee lines. These are the TfL Journey Planner times for a weekday morning.
| Step | Route | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walk from 28–32 Penywern Road to Earl’s Court station | 3 minutes |
| 2 | Piccadilly line eastbound to Green Park, 5 stops, no change | About 10 minutes |
| 3 | Walk from Green Park station to the palace gatehouse | About 8 minutes |
You can also take the District line to St James’s Park station, about 9 minutes on the train. From there it is about 15 minutes on foot across the park to Friary Court. On Friday and Saturday nights the Piccadilly line runs the Night Tube, handy after a late evening in the West End.
District line
- Earl’s Court
- South Kensington
- Victoria
- St James’s Park
What is St James's Palace?
The palace was built largely between 1531 and 1536 by Henry VIII. From his building, the gatehouse, the Chapel Royal, some turrets and two Tudor rooms in the State Apartments survive. Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in the Chapel Royal in 1840. Today it is a working palace, with royal offices including the Royal Collection Trust and the Yeomen of the Guard. It also hosts about 100 charity receptions a year.
The palace opens to the public only on selected dates, for guided tours. The Royal Collection Trust website has the details. When a new monarch accedes, the Accession Council meets here. The proclamation is read from the Proclamation Gallery, which overlooks Friary Court. For the official background, see the St James’s Palace page on royal.uk.
Changing the Guard at St James's Palace
The St James’s Detachment of the King’s Guard mounts guard every day in Friary Court. The Household Division lists Changing the Guard on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On those days, soldiers gather at the palace and at Wellington Barracks from 10:00. They march to Buckingham Palace with a band. The ceremony there starts at about 10:45 and lasts about 45 minutes.
On Sundays the Colour is marched back after the 10:00 parade at Buckingham Palace and lodged in Friary Court. Ceremonies can be changed or cancelled at short notice, especially in wet weather. Check the Household Division schedule the evening before. For the palace’s Tudor history and the royal events held there, read our guide to visiting St James’s Palace.
What else is close to the palace?
St James’s Park
St James’s Park is across The Mall. The Royal Parks call it the most royal of London’s parks. Three palaces border it, and pelicans have lived by its lake since 1664. Some pedestrian gates are open from 5am to midnight. Head down The Mall and you reach Buckingham Palace.
Buckingham Palace
Planning to see the King’s official residence too? Start early and you can see the guard gather at 10:00. Then follow the march to Buckingham Palace for the ceremony. The District line route and the walk from the nearest station are on our page for a hotel near Buckingham Palace.
Where to stay near St James's Palace
Mowbray Court Hotel is a hotel near St James’s Palace by Tube rather than on foot. It is a 3-star hotel in a listed Victorian building at 28–32 Penywern Road, London SW5 9SU. Earl’s Court station (District and Piccadilly lines) is a 3-minute walk away. The palace is about 25 minutes away, so the 10:00 guard gathering is easy to reach after breakfast.
Choose from Single, Double, Twin, Triple and Family rooms; the Family room sleeps 4. Every room has air conditioning, free WiFi and a private shower room. There is a 24-hour front desk, a lift and luggage storage. Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out is by 12:00. A continental buffet breakfast is available. There is no restaurant, but restaurants, bars and cafés are within 5 minutes’ walk. Compare our budget hotel Earl’s Court rooms before you book.
Watching Changing the Guard? Stay the night before a Monday, Wednesday or Friday. Book direct for our best rate, guaranteed. Or call reception on +44 (0) 207 373 8285.
Frequently Asked Questions About Staying Near St James's Palace
How far is Mowbray Court Hotel from St James's Palace?
About 25 minutes door to door. Walk 3 minutes to Earl’s Court station and take the Piccadilly line to Green Park, about 10 minutes with no change. Then walk about 8 minutes.
Which Tube station is closest to the palace?
Green Park, on the Piccadilly, Victoria and Jubilee lines, is about 8 minutes’ walk away. St James’s Park station, on the District and Circle lines, is about 15 minutes’ walk across the park.
Can I watch the guard leave the palace?
Yes. On Changing the Guard days soldiers gather there from 10:00 and march to Buckingham Palace. Check the Household Division schedule first, as ceremonies can be cancelled at short notice.
Is there a direct Tube from Earl's Court to Green Park?
Yes. The Piccadilly line runs from Earl’s Court to Green Park with no change, about 10 minutes on the train.
Can I leave my luggage before check-in?
Yes. The hotel has luggage storage and a 24-hour front desk. Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out is by 12:00.
Photo credits: Colin Smith (CC BY-SA 2.0), It's No Game (CC BY 2.0). Some photos cropped to fit.