Go BackThe Mall is one of the most iconic ceremonial avenues in London, forming a grand processional route in the heart of the City of Westminster. Stretching approximately 0.5 miles (0.8 km), it runs in a gentle curve from Charing Cross in the east to the Queen Victoria Memorial and Buckingham Palace in the west.
It created at the same time that similar ceremonial routes were being created in other cities including Washington, D.C., Paris, Berlin, Mexico City, Vienna, St. Petersburg and Oslo. It is intended for major national ceremonies. For the same purpose, Buckingham Palace was given a new façade while the Victoria Memorial was built.
Location and Connections
The Mall is entirely situated within the City of Westminster, connecting key landmarks and roads:- Charing Cross and Admiralty Arch mark its eastern entrance.
- At the western end lies the Queen Victoria Memorial, with Spur Road leading directly to the gates of Buckingham Palace.
Map of The Mall, London
What's on Either Side?
North Side: The north side of The Mall is flanked by St James's Park, the elegant Carlton House Terrace, and several notable government buildings, including the rear of the Admiralty complex. Paths lead into the park, providing picturesque views and relaxing walking routes.South Side: The south side is bordered by St James's Park as well, with scenic lake views, lush greenery, and various statues and memorials. The Duke of York Column rises at the junction with Carlton House Terrace, marking a prominent elevation.
A Road of Royal Pageantry
The Mall was created in its current ceremonial form in the early 20th century, part of a wider scheme by architect Aston Webb, who redesigned the area in front of Buckingham Palace around 1906-1911. It was intended to serve as a ceremonial route for state occasions, processions, and royal parades.Originally, a roadway existed here as early as the 17th century, but it wasn't formalized into the Mall as we know it until the early 1900s. The surface is famously coloured a distinctive reddish hue, designed to resemble a red carpet rolled out for royalty.
Why is it called The Mall?
The name "The Mall" comes from a 17th-century game called pall-mall, a type of lawn game played with mallets and balls, somewhat similar to croquet. The original playing area was located where The Mall now lies. The nearby Pall Mall street-running parallel just to the north-takes its name from the same game. So no, it's not a coincidence-the two names are indeed related, both originating from the playing grounds for pall-mall.How to get there
For those visiting London or exploring the area, The Mall is easy to reach by London Underground:- Charing Cross Station (Bakerloo and Northern lines) is located at the eastern end of The Mall.
- St James's Park Station (District and Circle lines) is a short walk to the south and east, ideal for accessing the middle section of the route or the area around Horse Guards Parade.
Fun and Fascinating Facts
- During major royal events like the Trooping the Colour, state visits, and jubilee celebrations, The Mall is often adorned with Union Jack flags and lined with crowds.
- The London Marathon and many other public events pass along The Mall, making it a popular gathering point.
- The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace can be viewed at the western end, just beyond the Queen Victoria Memorial.
- The Mall also acts as a boundary between Green Park to the west and St James's Park to the east.
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.
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