Spring is here and we’ve rounded up the best seasonal things to do in the Royal Parks. Fancy ditching that winter coat and going for a sunny picnic, or taking a walk with picture-perfect blooms? Here are some great ways to say goodbye to winter and welcome the spring this year.
Get your floral fix this spring
In spring you can expect a kaleidoscope of colour from charming pink and white cherry blossoms to dashing yellow daffodils. You can find stunning spring scenes across all of the Royal Parks, however there are definitely a few locations that draw the crowds each year. Here are a few of the favourite blossoming hotspots, perfect destinations for a stroll and a photo or two:
Isabella Plantation. Carpets of bluebells and evergreen azaleas and rhododendrons that put on a display of vivid pinks, purples and reds. In full bloom in May.
Greenwich Park. Cherry blossom trees bordered along the Ranger’s House avenue creating a tunnel of candy floss pink, usually in full bloom late April or early May.
The Rose Garden in Hyde Park. Seasonal flower beds, a grand pergola and two ornate fountains, with a sweet aroma of its traditional roses.
St James’s Park. A sea of daffodils as we plant one million daffodil bulbs across the Royal Parks each year. They tend to be one of the first signs of spring, flowering early in March.
Cherry Avenue in spring
Go on a walking tour
Every month we run walking tours that explore the heritage and wildlife of the central Royal Parks, the perfect way to stretch your legs while learning things that will increase your enjoyment of the parks. Here are some favourites:
Hidden Stories of St James’s Park Walking Tour
The oldest of the Royal Parks with years of dark history to discover, like how the park was a playground for exotic pets and how it came to be a home for 40 pelicans since 1664.
Bat Walking Tour
Search for bat species such as common pipistrelles, soprano pipistrelles and noctules, using bat detectors that make the bats' echolocation calls audible to the human ear.
Hidden Stories of Hyde Park Walking Tour
Learn about the underground river running beneath Hyde Park and enjoy an exclusive visit to the Victorian Pet Cemetery, the first public pet cemetery in Britain.
Albert Memorial Walking Tour
Go behind the railings and get a closer look at the Frieze of Parnassus and other fine details of the greatest monument of the Victorian era.
Flowering Trees Walking Tour
Take in the beautiful blooms covering Hyde Park and discover its rarest tree whilst getting exclusive access to The Dell area and waterfall.
Keep an eye out on our what’s on page for all walking tours.
Pelican in St James's Park
Bats hibernate when overnight temperatures drop below five degrees © Hugh Clark
Marble figure on corner of Albert Memorial
Boost your wellbeing
The health benefits from spending time outside and in nature are well known. If you want to take your fitness to the next level then why not run or swim for The Royal Parks? Not only will you be working on your fitness and wellbeing, but you’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing it's all for a good cause.
To apply and for more information click on the following links:
- 2022 Royal Parks Half Marathon, presented by Royal Bank of Canada
- 2022 London Marathon
- 2022 Swim Serpentine
Enjoy the new More4 documentary series, ‘Secrets of the Royal Gardens'
We’re delighted to be featured in episode 2 of this fascinating four-part weekly series which explores Royal palaces, castles, houses and parks. You can tune in to More4 to watch this episode specifically dedicated to The Royal Parks or follow the link below.
Narrated by Hugh Bonneville, the episode will take viewers on a journey to several lesser-known locations within London’s eight Royal Parks, such as the hidden Hyde Park super nursery, the shire horses’ stables at Richmond Park and more.
It will reveal stories from The Royal Parks’ staff alongside historians, garden designers, wildlife experts and royal gardeners.
You can watch the episode here.
Hedgehog (credit: Hugh Clarke)
Entertain the little ones outdoors this Easter holiday
This Easter, our Learning, Play and Mission: Invertebrate teams are hosting free spring-themed activities and events across the Royal Parks.
Spring Surprises and Marvellous Mammals Discovery Days
5 – 14 April | The LookOut Discovery Centre, Hyde Park | Free
Join the learning team on one of their popular discovery days and learn about the secret lives of hedgehogs, search for mammal tracks in our gardens or explore our nature trail, pond dipping and arts and crafts. Greenwich Park will also be running discovery days throughout the year, find out more on our what’s on page.
Mission Invertebrate Roadshow
5 – 13 April | Kensington Gardens, Richmond Park, Bushy Park, The Regents Park | Free
Join the Mission: Invertebrate team as they uncover the fascinating world of invertebrates. Bring your budding environmentalists along to explore wonderful habitats, join interactive storytelling and create nature-inspired crafts.
Teddy Bear’s Picnic Play Sessions: 6 and 13 April
6 and 13 April | Greenwich Park, The Regent’s Park | Free
Join the play team for an afternoon of tea, teddies and most importantly fun in this themed play session.
Parents and Toddlers: Investigating Nature
19 April | The LookOut Discovery Centre, Hyde Park | Free
For those with toddlers aged 1-5, join us and Chickenshed Theatre in a special sensory session where you will get closer to nature and investigate its beauty.
Children learning about bugs at the Mission: Invertebrate Roadshow
Learn a new skill during the Knots and Shelter Workshop
Join us for an adventurous morning workshop honing your survival skills in the beautiful setting of Hyde Park.
Perfect for survival enthusiasts, outdoor educators, and everyone interested in wild skills. You will learn the essential knots, using rope and string for a range of bush craft, wild camping and survival purposes, and learn how to build wild weather-proof shelters using tarpaulins.
14 May
£25 Book here.
Celebrate Easter with a shire horse carriage ride in Royal Bushy Park
We have a late Easter this year, so the chestnuts in the park will be starting to show their brightest green leaves.
Our charabanc is a replica of those arriving into Bushy daily, on their way to Hampton Court Palace. Queen Victoria was the first monarch to open the Palace to visitors, and these charabancs were the vehicle of choice to arrive at Hampton Court.
The majestic sweep around the Diana Fountain offers splendid views onto Henry VIII’s Great Hall, and recreates how impressive it was to arrive at Court. The sounds of hooves and the creaking of the carriage truly transports to an experience of a bygone age.
15 - 18 April
£15
We would love to see how you decide to spend spring in the Royal Parks. Post a picture and tag us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
