Regent's Park is one of London's most popular open spaces, covering 410 acres in north-west London. Originally a hunting ground for Henry VIII, it remained a royals-only retreat long after it was formally designed by John Nash in 1811; only in 1845 did it open to the public as a spectacular shared space. Attractions run from the animal odours and noises of London Zoo to the enchanting Open Air Theatre. Various food and music festivals pitch up here over the summer and rowing boat hire, bandstands, beautiful rose gardens (with some 30,000 roses and 400 varieties), tennis courts, ice-cream stands and eateries (including the delightful Garden Café) complete the picture. Regent’s Park has several playgrounds, but the most interesting is at Hanover Gate where, in 2010, a timber treehouse area for older kids was built within a large sandpit next to the boating lake and existing playground.
Having recently visited Regents Park after over 10 years since my last visit, it was a breath of fresh air in a busy city. Crossing the lake while watching a heron relax in the mid-day sun, felt like I was a million miles away from the sweaty tube station on baker street. Visited the open air theatre for an afternoon of laughter watching the dinosaur zoo show .. an experience which is a must whilst they are there !
A great day out, a park you can while away the whole day in - highly recommended.
No matter what you want out of a park- Regent's Park offers it. If you want a family picnic, a day of football, or just a stroll through a garden, Regent's Park is your destination. Although the park is a popular destination, the park is so massive that you can find your own space.
I live just a few blocks away and walk to the park weekly, but I still find a new beauty every visit.
There is art, nature, sports, and animals. What more do you need in life?
My favorite bits are the sculpture garden and the Queen's roses.
Oh wow. I always thought Hyde park was the park to go to for picnics and relaxation but I was wrong. Regents park is so large I thought I'd seen most of it on many occasions but I was also wrong! Haha
The royal gardens are stunning!! Extremely well kept with rose gardens,rock gardens and even waterfalls.. Honestly one of the best parks in the whole of London in my opinion. Clean and beautiful !
So many clean benches, ducks and flowers adorning the place its hard not to feel at peace here.
There are many reasons to love this royal park. It’s huge, it
has the iconic Primrose Hill, hosts Taste of London festivals and it has its
own zoo! It is one of my favourite parks, so quick to get to while you’re in
central London. After some shopping on Oxford Street, I sometimes wander up to
Regent’s Park for some down time! There are beautiful fountains and flowers
around and excellent views. It links together some of my top London areas,
Camden, Primrose Hill and Marylebone, a beauty that should be visited regularly!
Regents Park has to be one of my absolute favorite spots in London. Spanning from Camden to Warren Street this park is full of greenery and flowers which take you out of the hustle and bustle of city life. Take a walk along the English flower avenues or a pedal boat across the mini lake as this park is full of activity and things to see.
I went today and discovered a new sculpture exhibition which was a really nice surprise. Dotted about the park there were large pieces that depicted all kinds of things from heads on plinths to an upside down elephant. It's things like this that remind me why I'm so lucky to live in London as you never know when you're going to come across some art which we are lucky to see for free. The sculptures were thought provoking and fun showing that they catered to both adults and children making this park the perfect place for a family day out. I think a trip to Regents Park makes a perfect summers day outing whether you're going for a walk, a picnic or even just for a jog.
Regent's Park is a beautiful open space in London, located between Camden in the north and Baker Street and Great Portland Street in the south. There is something for everyone here; you can cycle and skate through parts of the park and if you don't have a bike you can easily find a bike hire spot at one of the corners of the park. There is also a boating lake, several cafes and kiosks where you can pick up a snack, drink or ice cream, you can play sports on the fields and there is even an open air theatre.
I'm lucky enough to walk through this park every day to work. It's so peaceful and quiet in the mornings with only the odd dog walking around. It helps keep me fit and healthy and save money, also I arrive to work feeling much more awake.
You're not allowed BBQs in this park, but it's perfect for a picnic when the weather is nice. There are deck chairs you can hire, the odd park bench or you could just settle down on the grass under a tree.
This is the perfect destination on a hot summers day, escape the busy London stress for some r&r. The park is filled with people soaking up the sun, playing soccer, jogging or just relaxing on the grass. This park is huge, so there's plenty of space for everyone. Do be sure to explore the park, from the perfectly manicured gardens, the beautiful Queen Mary's gardens, the cafe in the park and the London Zoo! It's also the perfect picnic spot, sitting on the lawns with some friends and enjoying some drinks and snacks you can purchase from the Sainsbury's by Great Portland Station.
I can’t believe it took me over a year of living in London to finally visit Regent’s Park! Of all the parks in central London, this is definitely my favourite. There’s so much to do - rent a pedal boat to go around the pond, visit Queen Mary’s Rose Garden, see a show at the excellent Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, or visit London Zoo. My favourite, and most recent discovery however is the peaceful and remarkably quiet St. John’s Lodge Garden which is hidden behind some hedges in the centre of the park. The lodge is privately owned, but the garden is open to the public. It’s designed for meditation and is meant to be a tranquil place for reflection. There are beautiful flower beds and lots of pretty places to sit back and relax.
Definietely one of my favourite park in London. A bit smaller than Hyde Park but definitely as beautiful, Regent's Park is the perfect spot to escape our buzzing city and enjoy some fresh air. Every visit is a discovery as the various gardens are so different from a season to another and offer a real color show at any time of year. You could spend an entire day walking through its aisles, exploring the amazing rose garden,experiencing one of its many attractions such as the open air theatre, taking out a pedalo, or simply enjoying outdoors sports (football, softball, rugby, criket...etc).
As an overall, local everyday spot this is it, whatever the weather it's beautiful for a lazy stroll or a run, chilling with a coffee or a wine, theatre in the summer evenings and always a lovely spot for taking photos.
Regent's Park is a wonderful place for all seasons but is especially best enjoyed on hot glorious sunny days. The little gardens within the inner circle are secret hidden discoveries. Open air theatre is great to visit during summer months. Borders London Zoo close to nearby Camden Town and the Hub is a good to get friends together to play a bit of frisbee and enjoy long boozy picnics.
Regent's Park is as varied as it is beautiful - from its sports fields to its fountains, the lake to London Zoo, you could easily spend an entire day here and not experience all it has to offer.
For the team sports players there are marked pitches to book (and pay for) and less salubrious patches of grass where it's first come, first served. In summer you'd better get down there early, as its soon filled with softball players!
There are formal gardens and famous fountains. Herons, coots and swans populate the lake. In all, it seems more planned and intentional than its Hyde Park cousin - easier to navigate and with arguably more to see. There's even a university nestled within the grounds!
Spend a morning wandering and then stroll to nearby Camden for lunch - it's an inexpensive way to enjoy London at its finest.
This is the smaller sister of Hyde Park but definitely the more beautiful sister. I love this park so much that I often go weekly for a game of rugby. People play frisbee and football as well and they are all pick up games so you can just feel free to join (most people will readily accept more players unless it is an official match). The gardens are well kept (where do they get the money from?!) and there is also the famous open air theatre where you can catch a show. Look out for the swans!
I'm lucky enough to live and work very close to Regent's Park, though ungifted enough in orienteering and navigation skills to ever find a direct route through. Really this park is made for ambling and roaming, not commuting. Like the other big London Parks - Hampstead Heath, Hyde Park, Richmond - you completely leave London behind when you enter. With the exception of perhaps Hyde Park, it's also one of the most accessible and central London parks with plenty to do nearby, so you can easily fill in a day in and around it - head to the zoo or Camden market on the north end, the Mosque and canals on the west. The South end probably holds the most tourist traffic, right by the Sherlock Holmes museum (always a queue!), Madame Tussaud's and Baker Street station. Highlights of Regent's Park for me are The Open Air theatre (also hosting outdoor cinema throughout summer), the boating lake, the temporary trapeze classes by Gorilla circus, and the Espresso bar that looks like a quaint little wooden church. Trapeze your heart out then go for scones with clotted cream & jam and loose leaf tea for £5, then bask in the sun before it disappears.
Regent's park is one of my favourite places to walk in London. This 7 kilometre walk is a lovely route around the park if you have a couple of hours to spare. It starts at Chalk Farm tube and heads up primrose hill, where there are stunning views of London's skyline. It then heads down round the edges of London zoo and over the Regent's canal. It gives a pretty view of the London Central Mosque before turning down the side of the boating lake. Near the foot of the lake it crosses the bridge, passing the open air theatre and going into to rose garden. The ornamental bridge has a beautiful wisteria in flower in May. It then heads to eastern edge of the park to walk along Chester Terrace a designed by Nash in the early 19th century. Finally along the southern part of the park to Park Street where you can catch buses to north London or turn left for Baker Street tube and connections to the city centre.
The photos are; Skyline from Primrose Hill, Egyptian Goose by the boating lake, Regent's Canal, Deckchairs and Daisies.
Ah, Regent's Park how I miss you when I'm away from you. And when I go back I enjoy something new and discover a different corner, new flowers or a new crowd of visitors, each time.
This beautiful royal park includes the peaceful boating lake, the glorious 'Avenue' currently showing off its spring display and the romantic Rose Gardens, (in full bloom in August). Wander across to Queen Mary's Gardens and enjoy coffee and cake along the way in the cafe, pack a picnic in a quiet spot or people watch - as this park attracts all sorts of characters!
Of course you musn't forget the Open Air Theatre in summer and various music playing at the bandstand. You can also spot a variety of interesting birds, as well as The Queen's swans of course and if you're lucky, you'll spot the local man feeding herons from chop-sticks!
A really delightful park that London is incredibly lucky to have, it never feels too crowded (even on the hottest days) as there is so much space and, cliched as it is, it's true to say that you really do forget you're in a city of over 8 million people when you visit here.
This most regal of parks is accessible from a number of locations in North and West London - its 4.5km loop has entry points by Camden/Primrose Hill, Swiss Cottage/St John's Wood, Baker Street/Marleybone, and Great Portland Street/Euston stations. Around the outer ring, which also cuts through the middle of London Zoo, cyclists and runners whip around completing lap after lap. The inner ring contains tennis courts and holds the Regent's University buildings.
Great promenades stretch along the public walking areas, and many flower beds and gardens are dotted around. A boating lake is another major attraction - it is great fun to piddle around in a pedalo for a few hours and head to the excellent cafe afterwards.
When the weather is nice which... actually, when is the weather nice in London? Has it ever been nice? Coming up to the end of January, it seems as though the answer is: No, never. However, when it is nice and sunny out, city workers flock to Regent's Park in their hundreds, and it is a decidedly calm, picturesque space to spend an extended lunch hour eating hummus and sipping on cans of premium European lager beer.
Regent's park is just lovely on a Sunday. I'm more used to running through it on early mornings where it appears to be a haven for dog-walkers and runners. On a Sunday, there are a lot more families and children and it has so much more to offer than other Royal parks. With an open air theatre, the boathouse cafe, the zoo, the boating lake - there's lot to do inside. When walking around the outer circle it's easy to forget you're so close to Oxford Street, and the busy hustle and bustle of Soho and surrounding central London.
Accessible from so many tube stations - the vast green space is also in walking distance to Primrose Hill, with unparalleled views of London.
There is nothing lovelier than Regent's Park on a sunny day. The flowers are magnificent, and it's a lovely peaceful oasis amidst the chaos of urban life. Definitely make time for the pedalos- much merriment ensued when i almost fell in!
Walk through this park to work every day and get a nice free art show in October with the sculptures. Grew up here; road my first bike here, made my first snowman here. Love it!
Nice Park with such a variety of things to do. Whether your playing cricket, visiting the zoo or taking the kids to the play area, this Park gives you a lot of options.
I could talk for days on how much I love Regents Park, and in fact I think of myself as quite the expert. Regents Park tube is the obvious starting point but it's so huge you can just as easily come into it from the north along the canal from Little Venice and St Johns Wood, or Camden if you're going the other way. There's the sweetest little rose garden (St Mary's) in the middle where there's also a super cafe and the open air theatre. On a sunny day, just go there and take a book. If you have friends or family in tow, there's sports fields, play areas and the lake where you can take little boats on. Of course there's always Regents Park zoo at the very north of the park. For the adventurous, you're so close to Primrose Hill, maybe sneak there for an afternoon visit and enjoy the breathtaking view of the London skyline.
What a great refuge from the crazy busy streets. Although the park tends to be full of people on a sunny summer day (which park in London isn't?), it's still so vast that everyone fits in and finds place to rest, drink with friends, play frisbee and other games. There're quite a few pubs and cafes in the park but they are pricy and their quality isn't great. It's definitely better to stock up before coming to the park or stay close to the souther part (where the rose gardens are) as there're a few shops open late at night or even 24/7 close to the Regent's Park tube.
You can go for the zoo, the open-air theatre, the playgrounds, the nice outdoor caff, but the jewel of what must be central London's most beautiful park has to be the rose garden – the prettiest, headiest, most photogenic, uplifting, 'why haven't I been coming here for years?' floral experience to be had all summer. And it's free.
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