Albert C 1r Bat B February, 17 2011

Oral English

St James's Street

St James's Street is one of the main streets in the central London district of St James's.
It runs from Piccadilly downhill to St James's Palace and Pall Mall. The main gatehouse of
the palace is at the southern end of the road, and in the 17th century Clarendon House
faced down the street across Piccadilly, located where Albemarle Street is now situated.
St James's Street was built up without an over-all plan. Today St James's Street contains
several of London's best known gentlemen's clubs, such as Brooks's, the Carlton Club and
White's, The oldest one, was founded in 1693 ; these clubs evolved from coffee houses
in the 17th century as meeting places for the gentry. Today the clubs still provide a
haven for businessmen (and a few women). A series of small side streets on its western
side lead to some extremely expensive properties overlooking Green Park, including
Spencer House and the Royal Over-Seas League at the end of Park Place. Two 18th-
century yards survive behind the noble frontages and giant orders of columns or pilasters
of the street. One is Blue Ball Yard, with stables built in 1742. The other is Pickering
Place, with four informal Georgian brick houses of 1731. Jermyn Street leads off St
James's Street to the east. The nearest subway station is Green Park tube station to the
west on Piccadilly, and it is only 5 minutes away.

The Carlton Club

Saint James's Palace