A fun day out at Regent’s Park
A gorgeous green oasis in the heart of London, Regent’s Park offers beautiful scenery and a wealth of exciting attractions and events.
Highlights
- Hire a pedalo on the large boating lake; it’s fun for all the family and pedalos can be hired from March to October.
- Discover the fragrant rose gardens, which are among the finest in Europe.
- Explore the vast expanse of the historical park which is home to many species of birds and animals.
Tickets & Prices
Explore the beauty and excitement of Regent’s Park and its surrounding attractions with a variety of experiences that cater to all interests, from serene park walks to thrilling zoo visits and the enchantment of Madame Tussauds.
- City Sightseeing London: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour – Experience the iconic sights of London with the flexibility of a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour, featuring stops near all major attractions and an audio guide available in 11 languages.
- Madame Tussauds London: Entry Ticket – Step into the world of fame at Madame Tussauds London, where you can pose with lifelike wax figures of your favorite celebrities and enjoy the immersive Marvel 4D Experience.
- London Zoo: Entry Ticket – Dive into the animal kingdom at London Zoo, located within the leafy expanse of Regent’s Park, and discover over 750 species in the world’s oldest scientific zoo.
Things to Keep in Mind
- The hop-on hop-off bus tour does not include admission to venues, allowing you to choose which attractions you’d like to explore further.
- At Madame Tussauds, remember to check for any special exhibitions or experiences that might require an additional ticket.
- Food and drinks are not included in these experiences, so plan accordingly to enjoy the various dining options available at or near each attraction.
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, especially for exploring Regent’s Park and the zoo.
- Each attraction offers unique experiences; plan your visit to make the most of your time in Regent’s Park and its iconic neighboring attractions.
What to see and do
Regent’s Park is the biggest expanse of open grass in central London, so there is no shortage of things to see and do. Here are some ideas to get you started:
London Zoo
The oldest scientific zoo in the world, London Zoo is the perfect day out for anyone interested in animals and conservation. Located on the northern edge of Regent’s Park, the zoo is home to 673 species of animals, including penguins, snakes, and giraffes.
Primrose Hill
Take a stroll up Primrose Hill, which is just north of Regent’s Park and allows wonderful views of the London skyline. This Grade II listed park is situated in one of the most fashionable parts of London and is a good place for spotting the rich and famous at leisure.
Gardens and Landscapes
There are many distinct gardens in Regent’s Park, each with its character. Queen Mary’s Garden, for example, is home to London’s most extensive rose collection, while the Regent’s Park Allotment Garden provides a wealth of information about growing fruit and vegetables.
Madame Tussauds
For over 200 years, Madame Tussauds has offered visitors the chance to get up close and personal with over 250 incredibly lifelike waxwork figures. It is situated on the southern edge of Regent’s Park, very near to the equally fascinating Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street.
Children’s Playgrounds
There are five children’s playgrounds in Regent’s Park, which are veritable wonderlands of sandpits, timber climbing frames, seesaws, and swings to challenge children of all ages. Take a picnic and enjoy watching your children have the time of their lives.
Did you know: (4 interesting facts!)
- Regent’s Park was once known as Marylebone Park. It was given its current name after John Nash, the famous architect, who transformed it in the Regency period of the early years of the nineteenth century. He was commissioned to design a park fit for a king, and we think he succeeded.
- There is an abandoned canal in Regent’s Park once known as the Cumberland Basin. It was drained during WWII and filled in with rubble sourced from bombed houses during the Blitz.
- Regent Street was named after the Prince Regent who acted as king during the last ten years of his father George III’s reign. He eventually ascended the throne as George IV in 1820.
- There is a ‘secret’ garden near the centre of Regent’s Park. St. John’s Lodge Garden has an intimate, personal atmosphere that never fails to charm. Just don’t tell everyone!
History
- 1811 – Regent’s Park was established.
- 1835 – members of the public were granted access to certain areas of the park on designated days of the week.
- January 1867 – 40 people died in a tragic ice-skating accident, which involved over 200 people. The lake was subsequently drained and refilled to a reduced depth of four feet.
- The 1930s – The creation of Queen Mary’s Rose Garden was the most recent major change to the park.
- The Second World War – Many of the wrought-iron railings that surrounded much of the Park were removed and melted for the war effort. They were replaced with chain-link fencing, much of which remains in place to this day.
Facilities and accessibility
Deck chairs can be hired from March to October.
Limited car parking is available.
There are many cafes and kiosks where you can buy refreshments in the park, such as ‘The Hub’, a large, circular cafe in the middle of Regent’s Park, with open-air seating serving hot and cold drinks and light snacks.
Toilets and changing facilities are available at several locations in the park. A map of the park and signposts indicate their location to visitors.
We recommend downloading the Music for Trees mobile app and listening to it on your visit. It provides a soothing and immersive musical landscape inspired by the trees of the park.