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St. James's Square Review

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St. James's Square

Address: St. James's, London, SW1Y 4LE | Map It
www.londonlibrary.co.uk

Category: Squares
Location: St. James's and Mayfair

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Fodor's Review:

One of London's oldest and leafiest squares was also the most snobbish address of all when it was laid out around 1670, with 14 resident dukes and earls installed by 1720. Since 1841, No. 14—one of the several 18th-century residences spared by World War II bombs—has housed the London Library, founded by Thomas Carlyle. With its million or so volumes, it's considered the best private humanities library in the land and is the workplace of some of the city's top writers. You can go in and read famous authors' complaints in the comments book—but not the famous authors' books, unless you take out a £10 day membership. Other notable institutions around the square include the East India Club at No. 16, and the Naval and Military Club (known as the "In and Out" after the signage on its gateposts) at No. 4.