London's eight Royal Parks provide unparalleled opportunities for enjoyment, exploration and healthy living in the heart of the capital. During the summer of 2012 the greatest show on earth will be played out against the stunning backdrop of some of the world's most beautiful green spaces.

The Royal Parks will host three key venues for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and a total of 11 events will take place across six Royal Parks. The Royal Parks has been working closely with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) to protect the parks and to help develop plans for these events.

In supporting the delivery of a world-class Games in 2012 the aims of The Royal Parks are to protect and conserve the parks for current and future generations; to minimise the impact of events; to maximise safe access for park visitors; and to ensure the parks are returned to their pre-Games condition.

2012 Olympic Events

28 July - 9 August 2012	Equestrian	Greenwich Park
28 and 29 July 2012	Cycling - Road Race	The Mall in St James's Park, Green Park, Richmond Park and Bushy Park
28 July - 9 August 2012	Beach Volleyball	Horse Guards Parade in St James's Park
1 August 2012	Cycling - Time Trial	Bushy Park
4 and 7 August 2012	Triathlon	Hyde Park, St James's Park and Green Park
4 and 11 August 2012	Race Walk	St James's Park and Green Park
5 and 12 August 2012	Marathon	St James's Park and Green Park
9 and 10 August 2012	Marathon Swim	Hyde Park
11 and 12 August 2012	Modern Pentathlon	Greenwich Park

2012 Paralympic Events

31 August - 5 September 2012	Equestrian	Greenwich Park
9 September 2012	Marathon	St James's Park and Green Park

Planning permission has now been secured for each venue:

• Greenwich Park - Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events; and elements of the Modern Pentathlon;
• Horse Guards Parade Ground in St James's Park - Beach Volleyball;
• Hyde Park - Triathlon and Marathon Swimming. In addition to this a number of events will incorporate roads in the Royal Parks - including:
• The Mall in St James's Park - will host the start and finish of Road Cycling; the Olympic and Paralympic Marathon and the Olympic Race Walk;
• Bushy Park - will be used for part of the Road Race Cycling route. The outbound route will enter the park at the north and then head south down Chestnut Avenue, and around the Diana Fountain. The course will not pass through Bushy Park on the return leg. The men's Time Trial cycling race will be held on 1 August 2012 and it will take in Chestnut Avenue and the Diana Fountain in Bushy Park along the route;
• Richmond Park - will be used for part of the Road Race Cycling route. The outbound course for the road race will enter Richmond Park through Roehampton Gate, and then head west to leave the park through Richmond Gate. The return route will enter the park at Kingston Gate, and then head north to Richmond Gate where it will then head east to leave the park at Roehampton Gate.

The Royal Parks is also working with the Greater London Authority over plans for Hyde Park to host a Live Site during the Olympic Games, providing Games coverage as well as cultural programmes. For further information please visit the London Live website.

How can I find out more?

Further information is available on the left-hand menu and we will update our website pages as plans develop. General information is also available at the links below.

• The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) - responsible for preparing and staging the 2012 Games.
• The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) - responsible for developing and building the new venues and infrastructure for the Games and their use post 2012.
• The Government Olympic Executive - set up within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to oversee the entire London 2012 project, ensuring that it is delivered on time, on budget, represents value for public money and will benefit the whole of the UK.

London Prepares

On 24 February 2011 the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) announced a comprehensive testing programme to help prepare. The purpose of the 2011 Test Events was to ensure that the London 2012 Games are as successful as possible. LOCOG's testing programme in The Royal Parks focussed primarily on testing the field of play, results, scoring and timing systems, as well as key operational procedures and functions.

The following Test Events took place take in the Royal Parks during the summer 2011:

30 May 2011	Marathon	St James's Park
30 May 2011	Race Walk	St James's and Green Park
4 - 6 July 2011	Equestrian - Eventing	Greenwich Park
9 - 10 July 2011	Modern Pentathlon	Greenwich Park
6 - 7 August 2011	Triathlon	Hyde Park
9 - 14 August 2011	Beach Volleyball	Horse Guards Parade
13 August 2011	Aquatics - Marathon Swimming	Hyde Park
14 August 2011	Cycling - Road Race	The Mall in St James's Park, Richmond Park and Bushy Park

For further information please visit the London Prepares website.