The Regent’s Park, London

Dotted by vast parks, preserved territories, woodland and gardens that offer retreat and relaxation away from the urban jungle, London can be rightly called Europe’s greenest capital.

Some of the city’s green spaces are landmarks in their own right and with so much to see and do, from deer watching to horse-riding, one should spare the time to spend some time to roam the parks. In central London, Regent’s Park is one of the most popular and best visited parks. 

Today the park attracts numerous visitors with its splendid open green spaces, large number of sports facilities and annual music events. The northern parts of the park are occupied by the London Zoo which is home to an impressive variety of exotic animal species.

What comprises today’s Regent’s Park, were once lands used for hunting by King Henry VIII. The exclusive property of the royal family, the woods were transformed into a park at the beginning of the 19^th century and then open to the public a few decades later.

The park also boasts an open-air theatre, a lake, a boating area and several landscaped gardens planted with fragrant flower varieties. 

Gardens

The varied terrain makes Regent’s park a truly exciting place to explore. There are wild grasslands, shady woods and landscaped gardens. You can find serenity and beauty in the English or Italian gardens or simply stroll the open fields of wild flowers.  The park is home to London’s largest and richest rose garden. Designed in the 1930s and named after Queen Mary, the garden is planted with several thousand  roses of different breeds, as well as various other flowers species. Visit the garden in June to feast your eyes on the rich colours and your senses on the delightful fragrances. Apart from all the venues dedicated to amusement, the park also has its own allotment garden where volunteers grow healthy fruits and vegetables. Stop here to have a look at their work or exchange gardening tips and tricks. 

Open Air Theatre

Do you fancy watching a performance under the stars? The open air theatre in the heart of Regent’s Park can rival many of the West End stages. Built in the manner of the ancient amphitheatres and beautifully set among scenic groves, the venue can hold up to 1200 visitors and is open throughout the spring and summer months. You can see a variety of shows here, dramas, comedies, musicals and even operatic performances. Complete the experience by bringing your hamper to enjoy a picnic at one of the tables provided on the lawn.

Sports Activities

Regent’s park is an excellent place to keep fit and stay in shape. On the territory of the park you can find a number of sports facilities for both winter and summer use. The area that provides the majority of sporting facilities and activities is called the Hub. There are shower and changing rooms, as well as rooms available for various exercises and classes, such as yoga and pilates. In addition to that you can find several football, cricket, lacrosse and rugby pitches. The park also has a tennis centre equipped with excellent facilities and available to the public free of charge. 

Perhaps you prefer more relaxing activities? Hire a boat and have fun on the waters of the lake gliding along the numerous birds. The park has a number of playgrounds and designated children’s toilets making days out with the children easy and worry-free for both parents and kids. 

Flora & Fauna

While here visit the oldest zoo in the world that is conveniently located in the northern parts of the park. The zoo is a miniature planet earth with separated themed zones where you can find exotic animal species. Have a safari experience with the African birds, gorillas and monkeys, stop to watch the penguins in their Antarctic corner, spot the lizards crawling up sun-purged rocks, marvel the butterflies as they flutter amid lush tropical vegetation or visit the aquarium to enjoy the sight of thousands of fish swimming in blue waters. 

The park itself is home to a stunning variety of bird species. Take a stroll along the lake and you will be accompanied by friendly ducks, swans, herons, geese, while owls and falcons will be observing you from a distance. The bird fauna is so rich and varied that it attracts regular crowds of bird watchers. The flocks of birds are the most conspicuous inhabitants of the park, yet if you keep an open eye you might catch a glimpse of a hedgehog, a fox or a bat. 

The variety of water basins on the territory of the park create pleasant opportunities for leisurely strolls along their banks and boating on the waters. Regent’s canal runs along the northern side of the park. Once a major commercial waterway, today the canal only provides leisure to visitors. Book a boat cruise from Little Venice to London zoo and marvel the scenic architecture along the banks of the canal. Those who prefer to stay on the territory of the park can feed the birds swimming in the lake or head to the boating area and cruise along the swans. 

 Regent’s park is a great place to have fun in the outdoors, even if you do not have time to visit all of the park’s attractions. Spend a day in the sun with your picnic hamper, cycle along the lake, or simply stroll the vast open spaces of beautiful flowers and towering trees and you will take home breathtaking memories from London.

FAQ’s

What is there to do in Regents Park?

Top 10 Things to Do in Regent’s Park

• Head to a playground. Including this one in Primrose Hill, there are four playgrounds in Regent’s Park, all with different fun things to do.
• Watch a show at the Open Air Theatre. …
• Learn to play tennis.
• Climb to the top of Primrose Hill.
• Rent Bikes
• Go on a bird watch.
• Explore the rose gardens. Their very Rosie.
• London Zoo. Visit all the caged animals in one of the worlds oldest Zoos.

How many acres is Regents Park?

410 acres. The 166 hectares (410 acres) park is mainly open parkland.

What Underground line is Regents Park station on?

Regent’s Park is a London Underground station by Regent’s Park in Marylebone, City of Westminster. It is on the Bakerloo line, between Baker Street and Oxford Circus. It is located on Marylebone Road between the two arms of Park Crescent in Travelcard Zone 1.