Regent's Park, 166 hectares (410 acres) is a delightful place to relax, with formal rose gardens, a boating lake, wildlife garden and secluded woodland.
The park, which was originally a hunting ground for Henry VIII, was transformed in the early 19th century when the Prince Regent (King George III) commissioned John Nash to landscape the area. Nash designed Regent's Park as a hugh circle, lined by terraced houses with white stucco facades. The park contains a number of villa's and a private estate, one of these being Winfield House, the American Ambassador's residence.
The park, which is mostly padestrianised, has two ring roads, the outer and inner. The inner Ring contains the Queen Mary Gardens and many other formal gardens, such as the rose gardens (300 varieties of roses), italian garden, english garden, flower garden etc. And it is here that one will also find the park's open-air theatre, bandstand - which is used for concerts through out the summer - and large boating lake.
The outer ring largely consists of playing fields, and is London's largest outdoor sports area, with facilities for football, rugby, cricket, tennis courts etc, as well as an athletic track, all centred around 'The Hub' - the park's community sports pavillion.
The Grand Central canal runs along the length of the park's north-east border, and it is here that London's Zoo is also located. Also near the canal is the capital's largest Mosque 'London Central Mosque,' (open to visitors) - its large Golden Dome is one of the park's major landmarks.'
On the north side of the Park is the 256ft (78m) Primrose Hill, from which there are fine views of central London and Hampstead. Primrose hill gives its name to the local area, which is famous for its trandy shops and cafes.
Opening Times
5am until midnight all year round.
Nearest Tube Stations
Baker Street, Regent's Park and Camden Town
External link
Official Regent's Park Web Site
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