St James's Palace

This palace, one of London's oldest, was commissioned by Henry VIII and is still in use as an official royal residence. Secondary in importance to Henry's Whitehall Palace, it is memorable due to its 16h-century red brick in characteristic "diaper" pattern and for the number of royalty who have stayed here - including Anne Boleyn on the night of her coronation, Bloody Mary and Elizabeth I. Don't miss the gatehouse on the north side, flanked by polygonal turrets.