The Royal Parks – who we are and what we do
We are the charity that cares for the most famous collection of urban parks in the world.
We protect and sustainably manage the parks for everyone to enjoy.
Our vision
To provide free access to beautiful, natural and historic parks, which improve our quality of life, health and wellbeing – this is particularly important in a city environment.
Our purpose
To manage, protect and improve the parks in an exemplary and sustainable manner so that everyone, now and in the future, has the opportunity to enjoy their natural and historic environments.
Havens for people and wildlife
The Royal Parks are havens in a busy city so we set ourselves the highest standards to make sure we protect and maintain them responsibly, respectfully and sustainably.
Each of the eight Royal Parks and other exceptional public spaces we look after including Brompton Cemetery and Victoria Tower Gardens, are unique landscapes and wildlife habitats. Our role is to protect and preserve these parklands while welcoming millions of visitors a year.
Why we do it
There are over 77 million visits to the Royal Parks each year. People meeting up with friends and family, spending time alone in nature, attending music, arts or food events, discovering more about our shared history or just getting a bite to eat. A Royal Park is a place where you can put the world on hold for a moment and enjoy the peace and quiet of over 5,000 acres of open parkland in the city. A place to discover more about the natural world, as well as our place in it.
We are committed to protecting the wildlife, habitats and historic heritage of the Royal Parks, and to providing access to parks that can improve people’s quality of life and wellbeing.
How we do it
It currently costs around £60 million a year to manage the Royal Parks. As a charity, we need to raise 80% of that income ourselves.
We are supported by hundreds of volunteers who give up their free time, donate, or take part directly in challenge events to raise funds that support our work. This helps us care for the parks day to day and carry out vital conservation projects. Our many Friends groups and partners play a key role too.
Thank you – we couldn’t do it without you.
Our Charitable Objects
- To protect, conserve, maintain and care for the Royal Parks, including their natural and designed landscapes and built environment, to a high standard consistent with their historic, horticultural, environmental and architectural importance;
- To promote the use and enjoyment of the Royal Parks for public recreation, health and well-being including through the provision of sporting and cultural activities and events which effectively advance the objects;
- To maintain and develop the biodiversity of the Royal Parks, including the protection of their wildlife and natural environment, together with promoting sustainability in the management and use of the Royal Parks;
- To support the advancement of education by promoting public understanding of the history, culture, heritage and natural environment of the Royal Parks and (by way of comparison) elsewhere;
- To promote national heritage including by hosting and facilitating ceremonies of state or of national importance within and in the vicinity of the Royal Parks.
Our Values, Our Behaviours
“Our Values, Our Behaviours” defines how we want to “get things done” at The Royal Parks. It guides how we behave, how we make decisions and how we interact with one another and with stakeholders, partners and customers.
Our values were selected by staff. Our behaviours were developed with staff through a series of workshops and describe, in their own words, how to bring our values to life – as well as what could undermine our values if left unchallenged. They provide a common standard that will not only support the achievement of our strategic plan, but also the development of a positive working culture by helping everyone understand what is expected of them. As the organisation continues to develop “Our Values, Our Behaviours” are also likely to evolve.
“Our Values, Our Behaviours” applies to everyone equally. They are an integral part of our day to day work and highlight some of the basics that we need to get right to show that our actions match our words. You will see them being used in our recruitment and selection processes, during 1-1s and when we review our own individual performance against our objectives.