skip to main content
The Royal Parks web site uses cookies. By browsing you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Read our cookie policy
  • Home
  • Royal Parks
  • Support
  • Media Centre
  • Careers
  • Shop
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • searchsearch
The Royal Parks menu
  • Visitor information
    • The parks after lockdown
    • Opening times and getting there
    • Accessibility information
    • Park Deck Chairs
    • Parking in Regent's Park
    • Park regulations, legislation and policies
    • Contact The Regent's Park
    • Feeding birds and animals
  • Map of Regent's Park
  • Food and drink
    • The Regent's Bar & Kitchen
    • The Broad Walk Cafe
    • The Espresso Bar
    • The Boathouse Cafe
    • The Hub Cafe
    • Refreshment points
    • Primrose Hill Café
    • Will To Win Sports Centre Café
  • Things to see and do
    • Events in Regent's Park
    • Primrose Hill
    • The Hub - Sports Facility
    • Gardens and landscapes
    • Memorials, fountains and statues
    • Sports and leisure
    • Wildlife
    • ZSL London Zoo
    • Music for Trees mobile app
    • Children's playgrounds
  • Latest News
    • Weather station data
  • About Regent's Park
    • History and Architecture
    • Landscape History
    • Regent's Park in film
  • Donate
searchSearch
  • The Royal Parks
  • Visitor information
    arrow_drop_down
    • The parks after lockdown
    • Opening times and getting there
    • Accessibility information
    • Park Deck Chairs
    • Parking in Regent's Park
    • Park regulations, legislation and policies
    • Contact The Regent's Park
    • Feeding birds and animals
  • Map of Regent's Park
  • Food and drink
    arrow_drop_down
    • The Regent's Bar & Kitchen
    • The Broad Walk Cafe
    • The Espresso Bar
    • The Boathouse Cafe
    • The Hub Cafe
    • Refreshment points
    • Primrose Hill Café
    • Will To Win Sports Centre Café
  • Things to see and do
    arrow_drop_down
    • Events in Regent's Park
    • Primrose Hill
    • The Hub - Sports Facility
    • Gardens and landscapes
    • Memorials, fountains and statues
    • Sports and leisure
    • Wildlife
    • ZSL London Zoo
    • Music for Trees mobile app
    • Children's playgrounds
  • Latest News
    arrow_drop_down
    • Weather station data
  • About Regent's Park
    arrow_drop_down
    • History and Architecture
    • Landscape History
    • Regent's Park in film
  •  
  • Donate
    • Home
    • Royal Parks
    • Support
    • Media Centre
    • Careers
    • Shop
    • About us
    • Contact us
  • The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill
  • 
  • About Regent's Park
  • 

History and Architecture

Known as the 'jewel in the crown', The Regent's Park (including Primrose Hill) covers 197 hectares. Like most of the other Royal Parks, Regent's Park formed part of the vast chase appropriated by Henry VIII.

Marylebone Park, as it was known, remained a royal chase until 1646. It was John Nash, architect to the crown and friend of the Prince Regent, who developed Ther Regent's Park as we know it today.

A vast rounded park was designed by John Nash, surrounded by palatial terraces, a lake, a canal, 56 planned villas (only 8 were ever built) and a second home for the Prince - a summer palace, which was never built.

The park became the home of several organisations like the Zoological Society and the Royal Botanic Society. It wasn't until 1835, during the reign of King William IV, that the general public were actually allowed into the sections of the park and this was only for two days of the week.

The main development in the 20th century was the creation, in the 1930s, of Queen Mary's Gardens. Of the buildings and monuments within the park, only two villas, St John's Lodge and The Holme, remain from John Nash's original conception of the park.

About Regent's Park 

Landscape History

Regent's Park in film

Help us improve our website by providing your feedback.

Website user survey

close

search
Explore the Royal Parks
  • Hyde Park
  • Kensington Gardens
  • Richmond Park
  • Bushy Park
  • St James's Park
  • The Green Park
  • The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill
  • Greenwich Park
  • Greenwich Park Revealed - Park Restoration Project
  • Brompton Cemetery
  • Victoria Tower Gardens
  • Grosvenor Square Garden
Support the parks
  • Make a donation
  • Philanthropy and major giving
  • Leave a gift in your Will 
  • Run, cycle or swim for the parks
  • Hire The LookOut, Hyde Park
  • Become a partner
  • Corporate volunteering
  • Dedications in your local park
Media Centre
  • Press Releases
  • Royal Parks News Permit
  • Filming and photography
  • Royal Parks Image Library
  • News Archive
  • Trooping the Colour media accreditation
About us
  • Who we are
  • What we do
  • Procurement
  • Partner organisations
  • Publications
  • Friends of The Royal Parks
  • Contact us
  • Modern Slavery Statement
Connect with us
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Watch our videos on YouTube
The Royal Parks

The Royal Parks is a registered charity (No. 1172042) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales no. 10016100 (VAT No. 261 4640 19)

Copyright © The Royal Parks 2016-2022 | Head Office: The Old Police House, Hyde Park, London. W2 2UHTerms & Conditions | Privacy Policy

close

Subscribe to our eNewsletter today

Be the first to hear our latest news and read about upcoming events, learning and volunteering opportunities, fundraising and park improvement projects when you sign up to our mailing list.

Aerial view of Regents