Royal Parks

Parks and open spaces: London

Historic parks in central London and along the river Thames 2,000ha/5,000 acres

This impressive collection of outstanding parks and open spaces, including some of the world's most famous green spaces, is among the jewels in London's crown. The central London parks provide invaluable green oases in the heart of the West End, while the generally larger outlying parks offer wide open spaces in suburbia and the added attractions of the nearby river Thames. With their strong connections to the British crown, the Parks are rich in listed buildings, monuments and other sites of archaeological and historical interest. They also offer a busy programme of events.

As well as the principal parks listed below, the Royal Parks office is also responsible for Brompton Cemetry and some smaller open spaces at Grosvenor Gardens, Canning Green and Poets' Green.

All the Parks offer facilities for people with disabilities. See the individual listings on the Royal Parks website or contact the office for details (see below).

Central London Parks (Green Park, St James's Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens)
Bushy Park | Greenwich Park | Regent's Park & Primrose Hill | Richmond Park

Central London parks

A chain of green spaces connecting Westminster and Chelsea include the Green Park, St James's Park and Hyde Park with its famous lake, the Serpentine, all originally established by Henry VIII in 1536 as hunting parks; the small and attractive Victoria Tower Gardens overlooking the river; and Kensington Gardens, attached to Kensington Palace, with its connections to the late Princess Diana.

Local authorities

• Kensington & Chelsea
• Westminster

Promoted routes

• Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk,
• Jubilee Walkway

Contact

• Green Park & St James's Park Park Office, The Store Yard, Horse Guards Approach, St. James's Park,
  London SW1A 2BJ, tel 020 7930 1793
• Hyde ParkThe Ranger's Lodge, Hyde Park, London W2 2UH, tel 020 7298 2100
• Kensington Gardens Park Office, Magazine Storeyard, Magazine Gate, Kensington Gardens, London W2 2UH, tel 020 7298 2100
• Website: see below

The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill

Originally planned by John Nash for the Prince Regent (later George IV) in 1811, the Regent's Park lies between the northern edge of central London and Camden and includes London Zoo. Adjoining Primrose Hill gives excellent views over central London.

Local authorities

• Camden
• Westminster

Promoted routes

• Belsize Walk
• Regent's Canal (Grand Union Canal Walk)

Contact

Park Office, Storeyard ( Inner Circle), The Regent's Park, London NW1 4NR, tel 020 7486 7905 (see below for website)

Bushy Park and the Longford River

Originally three parks enclosed by Cardinal Wolsey and King Henry VIII between 1500 and 1537 and now the second largest Royal Park, with woodland gardens and many streams and ponds fed by the Longford River, a 21km/13-mile waterway created by Charles I to bring water from the river Colne to Bushy Park and Hampton Court.