Spur Road, Westminster: A Royal Approach to Buckingham Palace

Where is Spur Road?

Spur Road is a short but important road located in the heart of the City of Westminster, Central London. It sits within the ceremonial core of the British capital and plays a prominent role in royal pageantry.

Length and Layout

Though only around 180 metres (590 feet) long, Spur Road has a major ceremonial function. It runs in a gentle curve, connecting the eastern end of the Queen Victoria Memorial and the front gates of Buckingham Palace to the northbound carriageway of Constitution Hill.

History and Origins

Spur Road was laid out during the early 20th century as part of the redesign of the area around Buckingham Palace. The transformation of this space coincided with the creation of the Queen Victoria Memorial in 1911 and included significant landscaping to frame the royal residence.

Map of Spur Road, London

How Did It Get Its Name?

The name "Spur Road" is thought to refer to its function as a spur or branch - a minor road leading off a main route. In this case, it branches from Constitution Hill and The Mall and leads directly to the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

Connecting Roads

Spur Road connects with:

Constitution Hill - to the north, leading towards Hyde Park Corner
The Mall - to the east, continuing through Admiralty Arch toward Trafalgar Square

At its southern end, it leads directly to the gates of Buckingham Palace.

Character and Function

Spur Road is not a typical city street. Instead, it serves as a ceremonial route and is part of the grand setting for royal events. While not open to regular vehicular traffic, it is a key space for public processions and parades.

Notable Sights Along Spur Road

Despite its short length, Spur Road is surrounded by iconic landmarks:

Buckingham Palace - the official London residence of the monarch
Queen Victoria Memorial - a towering white marble monument commemorating Queen Victoria
Green Park - a royal park located just to the north

The area is popular with both tourists and photographers year-round.

Nearest Tube Stations

The closest London Underground stations are:

Green Park - served by the Jubilee, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines
St. James's Park - served by the Circle and District lines
Victoria Station - served by the Victoria, District, and Circle lines

Each of these stations is within a 10-15 minute walk from Spur Road.

Fun Fact

A fun fact for visitors: Spur Road is part of the route used during the Changing of the Guard ceremony. On select days, you can watch the Queen's Guard march along it toward Buckingham Palace - a truly British spectacle that draws huge crowds.

More streets in London

To explore more streets across the capital, visit our Streets in London page, where you'll find an interactive map and a growing list of all the streets we've documented so far.

Map of Streets in London

View all the streets that I have documented on Google Maps in this Map of Streets in London.