Our charitable objects set out the main purpose of the charity, and what we aim to achieve.
They are:
- 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.
Corporate objectives/priorities
Our corporate objectives are approved by our Board of Trustees and set out the high level plans for the charity which help guide specific projects and pieces of work.
They are currently being considered by The Royal Parks Board of Trustees.
Acts of Parliament
The Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media, and Sport manages the parks under powers set out in section 22 of The Crown Lands 1851 Act, which transferred management of the parks from the monarch to the government.
The 1851 Act originally vested those powers in the Commissioners of Works but the powers were transferred to the Minister of Works in 1942. Following a number of transfers, the powers now rest with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
Other Acts of Parliament which are also relevant to the management of the Royal Parks include:
- The Parks Regulation Act 1872 - deals mainly with the policing of the Royal Parks (in part amended by the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005);
- The Parks Regulation (Amendment) Act 1926 - gives the Secretary of State the power to make Park Regulations;
- The Royal Parks Trading Act 2000 - deals with illegal trading;
- Section 7 of the Crown Estate Act 1961 - makes further provision in relation to the management of certain parts of Regent's Park.
- The Royal Parks and Other Open Spaces Regulations 1997 (as amended by the Royal Parks and Open Spaces (Amendment) Regulations 2004, 2010, 2011) - the main Park Regulations made under the 1926 Act, which are in force in the Royal Parks today.
Find out more about Royal Parks regulations.