Perhaps one of the most famous stretches of tarmac in the world, the Mall links Trafalgar square, via Admiralty Arch, to the Queen's official residence Buckingham Palace. It was created towards the end of the 19th century to mirror similar ceremonial roads already successfully tried in capitals on the continent.
Bordered by St James' Park and Green Park on either side, the Mall is a place of both ceremony and sporting achievement, playing host as it does to the finish of the London Marathon as well as being the site of some of the most memorable scenes of the Queen's recent Jubilee celebrations. Horse Guards Parade also joins the Mall near the Palace, here the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony takes place.
The Mall is used during visits by foreign heads of state, the present monarch and visiting dignitaries are driven by ceremonial carriage along the Mall, which is decked out in flags of the host and visiting nations, to the Palace.