The Cake House, St James’s Park 1980s
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Tucked within the peaceful greenery of St James?s Park once stood an eye-catching and fondly remembered building known as The Cake House. Though long gone, its unique design and artistic features left a mark on visitors to one of London?s most iconic royal parks.
Origins of the Cake House
The first version of the Cake House dates back to 1922, replacing a rather unremarkable refreshment hut nicknamed the “Tin Cow”. The new structure offered refreshments to park-goers and served as a much-needed oasis in central London. Over the decades, it became affectionately known as the Cake House, perhaps for the treats it served or for its unusual design that resembled a layered cake.
A Bold Redesign in 1970
In February 1970, a brand-new Cake House was unveiled by Mary Wilson, wife of Prime Minister Harold Wilson. The updated structure was nothing short of striking. It featured a round, canopy-like roof and dazzling blue-and-white mosaic murals designed by renowned artists Barbara Jones and Richard Parkinson. These murals celebrated the rich heritage of the park, including scenes such as the Chinese-style bridge and pagoda erected during an 1814 celebration marking the end of the Napoleonic Wars.
The building’s unconventional form and decorative flair made it one of the more memorable pieces of 20th-century park architecture in London.
Decline and Demolition
Despite its artistic merits and popularity in its early years, the Cake House began to show signs of age by the 1990s. The once-futuristic design had not weathered well, and practical issues with maintenance and use meant it was no longer fit for purpose. Around 1998, the Cake House was quietly demolished.
In its place, a new caf? – Inn the Park – was developed in 2004. Designed to blend more harmoniously with the landscape, it featured a green, grass-covered roof and a modern, minimalist design. It aimed to serve park visitors while minimizing visual disruption in this historic setting.
