Regent's Park

Elegant park designed by John Nash.

Another of London’s spectacular John Nash creations, Regent’s Park is a huge, thriving green expanse in the heart of the capital. Consisting of two circular areas (an Inner and Outer Circle) the park is bordered by stunning, stark white stucco terraced houses - also designed by royal architect, Nash. At one-time a hunting ground for the ever-ebullient Henry VIII, the Prince Regent (later King George IV) commissioned Nash to transform the land in the early 19th century. Now most famously associated with London Zoo - positioned over on the north-east corner of the park - an open-air theatre, ornate bandstand, large boating lake, huge mosque and 100-acre sports field add to its many attractions. The rest of its 410 acres consist of vast open parkland interspersed with formal, landscaped gardens. Dating back to the 1930s, Queen Mary’s Gardens are still regularly and fastidiously tended, while the Rose Garden now bursts at the seams with over 30,000 flowers. Primrose Hill lies at the north of Regent’s Park, merging and rising to a peak to offer fantastic views over Westminster and the City. A number of pretty eateries populate Regent’s Park, while Primrose Hill is heaving with trendy cafes and bars. This is a great place for almost every kind of outdoor pursuit. If you’re visiting the zoo or theatre, make sure you schedule in a couple of hours to explore this elegant, rural recreation area.

Best for:
Zoo and theatre, sports, fountains and flowers.

Did you know?
The public were first allowed into Regent’s Park in 1835, and then for only two days a week.