One of the loveliest views on our London walks is to be had on our tour around St James’s. In the course of this Royal London walk we stroll through St James’s Park and to pause on the bridge that spans its delightful lake.

The lake was originally laid out in the reign of King Charles II and its picturesque curves were added in the reign of King George IV.

On his first morning in England, George 1V was presented with a pair of carp by a servant of the Steward of St James’s Park. The King accepted them and, in response to his courtiers’ advice, reluctantly gave the man two guineas.

But on asking where the fish had come from he was somewhat disgruntled to learn that they had in fact been caught in the Lake of St James’s Park, not a stones throw away from the room in which he was standing. Somewhat affronted by this the King remarked aloud, ‘What! Am I really expected to give two guineas to the servant of my steward who gives me my carp from my lake in my park?’

It cannot be denied that the view from the middle of the bridge over the lake is one of the most romantic in London. The sparkling water stretches towards the fountain, over which the buildings of Horse Guards, the pinnacles and turrets of the Old War Office and Whitehall Court tower and beyond this is the London Eye.

It really is a magical view and from here the whole vista combines to give the illusion of a massive fairytale palace or chateau. On a crisp winter’s morning the Portland stone from which the buildings are constructed just seems to shimmer in the winter’s sun. It really is one of the photographic moments on our London walks.

The bridge that spans the lake is the second on the site.… Its predecessor, a wooden suspension bridge, was erected in 1867, lasted a hundred years and its removal was not greeted enthusiastically by Londoners.

When the present bridge was built their was much debate as to who should pay for it. The Office of Works and Crown Commissioner were decidedly reticent as to whether or not it was their responsibility. An historian managed to trace a payment for the first bridge to a particular firm of solicitors, but when it was discovered that the firm in question handled Queen Victoria’s private affairs the matter of payment remained unresolved.

Indeed, the matter of Royal ownership of the bridge has never been confirmed or denied. What is undeniable, however, is that the view is truly breathtaking.

One of the things that really catches the eyes of participants on our Royal London walks is the abundance of water fowl that are visible on this lake.

Indeed, the section of the lake that stretches away from the bridge is home to hundreds of wild fowl that have been collected from all over the world. The most famous are the pelicans whose well-being is often discussed by the House of Commons.

The original pelicans were a gift from the Czar of Russia in 1660 and there have been pelicans in St James’s Park ever since.

However, throughout the 1960’s their numbers saw a rapid decline and by 1970 just one survived. The newspapers nicknamed her “The Lady of the Lake,” although the park’s bird-keeper knew her by the more mundane name of Daphne.

In discussions about replenishing the lake’s pelican stock it was remembered who had presented the original pelicans and an approach was made to the Russian Ambassador. In due course a brace of pelicans duly arrived and were let loose on the lake.

Unfortunately these new birds failed to understand the stately elegance of their new surroundings. It wasn’t long before they discovered that small birds were equally as appetising as the fish they were meant to eat. Horror stories abounded about the dietary habits of the newcomers with the newspapers even raging about ‘Russian aggression.’

One Member of Parliament complained how his children had nightmares after seeing a pigeon they were feeding being suddenly gulped down by a pelican.

Diplomatic considerations meant that drastic action could be taken to rid the lake of the scourge of these incomers, so the Russian pelicans were discreetly retired to the Zoo ‘for a rest’.

The picturesque cottage at the end of the lake stands on Duck Island, where injured birds are cared for. This featured in another diplomatic incident that we feature on our Royal London walk.  It occurred in the 17th century when the poet, St Evremond, was forced to flee France because of his attacks on Mazarin’s government.

Arriving in London he petitioned for an appointment at Court of King Charles 11. Although St. Evremond had powerful friends in London, Charles was reliant on the French for financial support and was somewhat reluctant to offend Mazarin. However, he came up with a suitable compromise by making St Evremond Governor of Duck Island.

The appointment saved him further appeals from St Evremond’s supporters, whilst at the same time amusing the French ambassador, who was able to reassure Mazarin on the real significance of St Evremond’s grandiose new title.