Westminster, St James's Park & Buckingham Palace

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Westminster - St James's Park & Buckingham Palace, with Explorers helping Ivor Getware retrace his steps and find where the royal wedding ring was lost before the ceremony.

The quest covers approximately 2.5 miles and should take around 2.5 hours to complete. You'll start by St James's Park Station, follow Westminster back streets and pavements, pass Westminster Abbey and St Margaret's Church, investigate around Big Ben and Horse Guards Parade, continue through St James's Park and along the path by the lake, then head towards The Mall and Buckingham Palace.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route goes through Westminster back streets and along pavements, with steps up onto a path by The Mall. It also uses crossings and some busy roads.

Busy roads are crossed on the route, so use marked pedestrian crossings where available and take extra care where there are none. The route also passes through an area used by vehicles, especially around Westminster Abbey and the forecourt, so keep Mini Explorers close while royal-ring hunting.

Getting There

By car: The quest begins at the corner outside the CENTRAL Broadway exit from St James's Park Station, opposite Broadway House (SW1H 0BD).

By public transport: Make your way to St James's Park Station and use the CENTRAL Broadway exit to begin the adventure outside, opposite Broadway House. To return to St James's Park station from Buckingham Palace, face Buckingham Palace, go left over Spur Road, head along its left-hand side through the gates, cross straight over at the crossroads onto Buckingham Gate, then turn left along Petty France to reach the station.

Need the Loo?

Toilets can be found in St James's Park and across the road from Westminster Abbey at Clue 08, giving your royal search party a couple of useful comfort-stop options along the way.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers are welcome to join the treasure hunt 🐾

The route is dog friendly, but in St James's Park you should watch out for greedy wildfowl and squirrels. Keep canine companions close around busy roads, crossings, the Westminster Abbey forecourt area used by vehicles, the steps by The Mall and the park's lakeside path.

Food & Drink Stops

Royal ring recovery is hungry work, but there are lots of spots to pick up provisions en route, especially around the tube station at the start and the kiosks in St James's Park.

St James's Park is great for picnics, though watch out for greedy wildfowl and squirrels eyeing up your supplies. A market on Strutton Ground is stated as operating weekdays 8am to 6pm.

Want to Make a Day of It?

St James's Park

The quest passes through St James's Park, making it a cracking place to pause once the clues allow. There are kiosks in the park, the route follows the path by the lake, and the green spaces are great for picnics - just keep a firm grip on snacks around those greedy wildfowl and squirrels.

Westminster Abbey and St Margaret's Church

The route takes Explorers to the forecourt of Westminster Abbey before passing nearby St Margaret's Church. It's a grand spot to slow down and take in the surroundings, but remember that the area is primarily used by pedestrians while taxis and other vehicles also operate there, so take care, especially when looking upwards.

Big Ben

This royal quest brings you close to one of Westminster's most famous timekeepers. The bell known as Big Ben weighs over 13 tons and took 18 hours to pull up to the belfry of the tower. It first chimed in 1859, then cracked shortly afterwards and took three years to repair; the crack is still present and gives it its distinctive 'twang'.

Horse Guards Parade

The Trail goes through Horse Guards Parade, where the information board near the road features the Foot Guards all lined up in a row. You'll also pass the war memorial and the courtyard before heading on to The Mall, so it's well worth lingering if your Explorers enjoy ceremony, history and a properly grand London setting.

Buckingham Palace and the Queen Victoria Memorial

The search leads to the front of Buckingham Palace, where the Queen Victoria Memorial and its lampposts take centre stage. The lampposts were created by Sir Thomas Brock as part of an original ceremonial nautical theme for The Mall, and only those along The Mall, the Captain Cook monument near Admiralty Arch, and here at the memorial still remain.