The Regent's Park has a fantastic landscape designed
by renowned architect John Nash, and the largest outdoor
sports area in London.
It is known as the 'jewel in the crown' and covers 197
hectares (487 acres including Primrose Hill)
A wide range of sports is available in the Park. There
are tennis/netball courts, an athletics track, cricket,
softball, rounders, football, rugby and hockey pitches.
In addition,
there are three playgrounds for children each with
an attendant, and there is boating on the main lake.
Marylebone Park, as it was known, remained a royal chase
until 1646. It was John Nash, architect to the crown
and friend of the Prince Regent who developed Regent's
Park as we know it today. He created a vast rounded
park, surrounded by palatial terraces, a lake, a canal,
56 villas and a second home for the prince.
The park became the home of several organisations like
the Zoological Society and the Royal Botanic Society.
It wasn't until 1845, during the reign of Queen Victoria,
that the general public were actually allowed into the
Park and this was only for two days of the week.
The main development in the 20th century was the creation,
in the 1930s, of Queen Mary's Gardens. Of the buildings
and monuments within the park, only two villas, St John's
Lodge and The Holm, remain from John Nash's original
conception of the park.
Useful
Information:
Opening Timings
Daily: 05:00 - dusk
Directions
By Tube: Regent's Park, Great
Portland Street, Baker St., St John's Wood and Camden
Town.
