Regent's Park: What to See and Do
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead
- Reserve now, pay later
The most formally beautiful of London's royal parks, and a genuinely good pairing with a Camden Market visit — the two are a 10-minute walk apart. Queen Mary's Gardens in particular are worth planning around if you're visiting between June and July, when the roses are at their peak.
Highlights
- Walk London's largest collection of roses in Queen Mary's Gardens — 12,000 plants, 85 varieties
- Visit London Zoo, the world's oldest scientific zoo, on the park's north side
- Catch a summer production at the 1,240-seat Open Air Theatre
- Climb Primrose Hill at the park's edge for one of London's best free skyline views
Queen Mary's Gardens
Set within the park's Inner Circle, Queen Mary's Gardens hold London's largest collection of roses — over 12,000 plants across 85 varieties, laid out in formal beds around an open-air theatre and lake. Peak bloom is June to July, but the gardens are attractive across most of the year thanks to the surrounding herbaceous borders and mature trees. One of the more underrated free spaces in London.
London Zoo
On the park's north side, London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo, opened in 1828. Highlights include the Gorilla Kingdom, Tiger Territory, and the walk-through Land of the Lions enclosure. Booking online in advance is strongly recommended — it's usually cheaper than door pricing and guarantees entry, since peak dates do sell out. Allow half a day to see it properly.
The Open Air Theatre
A 1,240-seat outdoor venue running a summer season (May to September) of Shakespeare, musicals, and family shows. It's one of London's most atmospheric theatre experiences — performances continue through light rain, and the setting among the park's trees is hard to replicate indoors. Book ahead for popular productions; bring a layer even on warm days, since it cools quickly after sunset.
Primrose Hill
At the park's northern edge, Primrose Hill rises to one of the best free viewpoints in London — a wide panorama across the city skyline, particularly striking at sunset. It's a genuine local favourite rather than a tourist-focused spot, which is part of the appeal.
Getting there
Regent's Park tube station (Bakerloo line) sits at the park's south side. Camden Town station (Northern line) is a 10-minute walk from the park's northeast corner, making a Regent's Park and Camden Market combination easy to do in one afternoon. Baker Street station, close to Madame Tussauds, borders the park's southwest.
Pair Regent's Park with Camden Market
Camden Market is a 10-minute walk from the park's northeast side — a natural way to combine a green afternoon with London's most eclectic market.
Explore the park at royalparks.org.uk
For opening hours, event listings, and official park information, the Royal Parks' own site is the best source.
Regent's Park: Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — the park itself is free, open daily from 5am until dusk or 9:30pm (varies seasonally). London Zoo, inside the park's north side, charges separate admission (around £30+ for adults, best booked online in advance). The Open Air Theatre and boat hire are also separately ticketed.
Queen Mary's Gardens, in the park's Inner Circle, holds London's largest collection of roses — over 12,000 plants across 85 varieties. Peak bloom runs June to July, when the gardens are genuinely spectacular. It's a beautiful, quieter spot year-round even outside peak season.
Booking online in advance is strongly recommended — it's usually cheaper than on-the-door pricing and guarantees entry on a specific date, since the zoo does sometimes sell out on peak days (weekends, school holidays). Allow a full half-day to see it properly.
A 1,240-seat outdoor theatre within the park, running a summer season (May to September) of Shakespeare, musicals, and family productions. Performances go ahead in light rain; only heavy or persistent rain causes cancellation. Bring a layer regardless of the forecast — it's outdoors, and evenings cool down fast.
Regent's Park is quieter, more formally landscaped, and has a wider range of dedicated attractions (the zoo, the rose gardens, the Open Air Theatre) than Hyde Park's more open, general-purpose green space. Hyde Park has the Serpentine and Speaker's Corner; Regent's Park has better gardens and family activities. Both are excellent — the choice mostly comes down to which part of London you're already in.