Hold an informal picnic
Find out more about hosting your picnic in the park, including how to apply for a large picnic licence for up to 100 attendees.
Host your picnic in one of the Royal Parks
The Royal Parks are the perfect place to host an informal picnic with family, friends, or colleagues.
We welcome informal picnics in the Royal Parks but please be aware the parks can get very busy during the warmer months which may limit available space.
What is an informal picnic?
We define an informal picnic as one with “rugs on the ground” rather than one using tables, chairs and other structures which can impact the park causing ground damage, habitat disturbance and scarce wildlife.
Groups of up to 30 can meet in the Parks and host informal picnics without prior notice. Please be mindful of location and local signage to ensure your gathering is in a suitable area and follow the guidelines in our Holding Picnics and Gatherings policy.
We accept applications for large informal picnics of between 31 and 100 visitors, subject to advance approval. If approved, there is a fee charged for the Picnic Licence to be processed, and permission granted. For school groups, please see the FAQs below.
To apply to hold a large informal picnic in one of the Royal Parks:
- Read the Holding Picnics and Gatherings policy.
- Submit your enquiry via our Get in Touch form below, selecting “Picnics” as the subject and choosing the relevant Park. Include the following in the “message” field:
- Business name (if relevant)
- Proposed date of picnic
- Approx timings (arrival to departure)
- Anticipated number of participants
We recommend submitting your application at least three weeks in advance during peak months to ensure sufficient processing time.
Frequently asked questions
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Please read our information on self-led school visits to the Royal Parks. Schools can being a maximum of 2 classes or 65 people in total for an informal picnic without prior notice or a fee. Groups of 65-100 should apply in advance for a Picnic Licence. Groups of 100+ should contact the Park Events team, you can read more here.
Informal sports games, (defined as “jumpers for goalposts”) can take place in certain areas in the parks. Please view the information on ball games in our Holding Picnics and Gatherings policy. No nets permitted.
For softball, rounders or traditional sports day events in The Regent's Park, please contact The Hub.
For corporate sports day enquiries, please contact Park Sports. For softball, rounders or traditional sports day events in The Regent's Park, please contact The Hub.
Informal ball games (defined as “jumpers for goalposts”) are permitted in some areas of the Parks. No nets permitted. View more information on ball games in our Holding Picnics and Gatherings policy. To play formal ball games, please contact Park Sports.
Commercial activity must be licenced to operate in the Royal Parks. We do not currently licence commercial picnic companies to operate in the parks, although pre-prepared picnics may be carried in from outside the parks. We have many catering outlets in the parks available to our visitors.
We consider informal picnics to be up to 100 attendees. For picnic events larger than this number please refer to the Small Events webpage.
An informal picnic is defined as “rugs on the ground”, therefore tables, chairs, gazebos and other structures are not permitted.
BBQs are not permitted in any of the Royal Parks.
Commercial vehicles are not permitted entry in the Parks. Food can be carried in from outside the park. There are also a range of catering concessionaries within the parks open to all. Learn more about Food and Drink in the Royal Parks.
The parks are used by many people for different reasons and as a public park, we are unable to allow any group exclusive rights to one area.
Please refer to our Holding Picnics and Gatherings policy for further guidance. If you still have a question, please complete the Get in Touch form above, or email visitorsupport@royalparks.org.uk.