Museums, theatre, live music, pop-up restaurants, street markets - London has them all. But something else visitors flock to the capital for are the green spaces, in particular the ‘Royal Parks.’ Established by various monarchies over several centuries, today they are the most famous collection of urban parks the world over - and often referred to as the ‘lungs of London’.
Today, La Gaffe is journeying to Regent's Park, a jewel of north London. Spread over 395 acres, every turn offers something new to see or experience. Once a playground for aristocrats, today it’s one of the capital’s most beloved green spaces and visited daily by locals, tourists and city workers who escape to its grounds for walks, picnics and drinks once they’ve clocked off.
So what’s so special about this place?
A Royal History
Regent’s Park owes its existence to King George IV. Before ascending to the throne, George—then Prince Regent—commissioned the famed architect John Nash to design a grand scheme of palaces and gardens that would reflect the taste of the Crown. Originally part of the vast hunting grounds of Henry VIII, by the early 1800s the land was ripe for redevelopment.
Nash’s vision was part of a larger urban plan, connecting Carlton House (near today's Pall Mall) to a new palace in Regent’s Park, via Regent Street. Although not all aspects of the grand plan were realised, the park itself opened to the public in stages throughout the 19th century.
Nash’s Architectural Legacy
If you want to see architectural elegance, you won’t be disappointed here. All around the outer edge of the park are some of London’s most beautiful Regency-style terraces, designed by Nash and built between 1811 and 1826.
These include Cumberland Terrace, Chester Terrace, and Cambridge Terrace - stately rows of white stucco buildings decorated with Corinthian columns, grand porticos and intricate ironwork balconies.
Originally built as elite ‘townhouses’ for the aristocracy, today most of them are divided into luxury flats. Nevertheless, they are beautifully preserved and their symmetry, proportion, and classical influence give the park a grandeur that is quite unique in the capital.
The most famous of these is the relatively unknown Winfield House. Set within private grounds at the northwestern edge of the park, it is the official residence of the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom and boasts the second-largest private garden in London after Buckingham Palace
The Park’s Gardens
It might be a stone’s throw from bustling Baker Street and chic Marylebone, but Regent’s Park is a botanical wonderland. The park is divided into several areas, each having its own ecological identity. The Queen Mary’s Gardens, in the inner circle, are among the most famous. The wife of King George V, this formal garden is home to over 12,000 roses with 85 different varieties, making it one of the largest and most celebrated rose gardens in London.
And, trust us, by the time June arrives, it is a spectacle of color and scent!
Beyond the roses, Regent’s Park is full of trees, flowering shrubs, and ornamental planting schemes that reflect the changing seasons. Japanese maples, cherry blossoms, and London plane trees line the avenues, offering beauty year round.
The lake is home to a variety of birdlife including herons, geese, swans, moorhens, and even the occasional cormorant. There are also wildflower meadows, bee-friendly gardens, and ecological education zones to support conservation and sustainability. And open to the public during spring and summer, the lake is the perfect place to rent a towing boat or pedalo.
Things to See and Do
Regent’s Park is more than a picturesque retreat—it’s a vibrant space which is full of culture. The big standout attraction is the Open Air Theatre, hosting theatrical performances under the stars. Running from May to September, this beloved institution stages Shakespearean plays, modern dramas, and musicals - last year’s ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ was a resounding success.
The park is also home to the world-famous London Zoo. Established in 1828, it is the world’s oldest scientific zoo and is a great destination for families. With over 700 species ranging from endangered Sumatran tigers and giant Chinese salamanders to endangered snowy owls and fen raft spiders, you can easily spend an entire day there and still leave with more to see…
Regent’s Park is also a good place to head if you’re a fitness fanatic. The Hub, a modern sports facility at the north end of the park, is designed for football, cricket, softball, and athletic lovers and there’s also dedicated walking and cycling paths, outdoor gyms, and tennis courts.
A hidden spot to look out for is St. John's Lodge Garden, a hidden gem within the park, originally designed as a private garden for a villa but now open to the public. With its classical statues, stone urns, and symmetrical design, it’s the perfect place for moments of quiet reflection or some peace away from the fast pace of the surrounding city.
A Park for All Seasons
Regent’s Park is deeply rooted in London’s cultural life - it plays host to a number of annual events, such as the Frieze Art Fair. A leading contemporary art event, held each October, it transforms the park into a global meeting point for artists, collectors, and critics. Foodies also flock to the park each June for ‘Taste of London’ - and are rarely disappointed with the international cuisine and fine wines on offer.
Year round, the park has something beautiful to see. In spring, tulips and bluebells carpet the grounds. Summer brings sunbathers, picnickers, and festival-goers. Autumn, we think, is a particularly beautiful time in Regent’s Park, with orange, yellow and red foliage reflected in the water, the air taking on an evident crispness. Even winter, though quiet, is lovely in its own way, especially when a soft frost or rare London snow blankets the lawns and statues.
More than a Green Space
But Regent’s Park is more than just a green space; it’s a living landmark that captures the best of London’s past and present. It reflects the city’s royal traditions, its architectural ambitions, and its enduring love of nature. Whether you come to admire the roses, paddle across the lake, attend a play, or simply walk amongst the trees and ponder, you’ll always leave uplifted in spirit.
And if you’re a walker, you can even get there on foot from our neighbourhood in Hampstead - wander down to Belsize Park, continue on through Primrose Hill and then, before you know it, you’ll be there!
So if you’re coming to London and need a place to stay, then why consider our comfortable guest accommodation at La Gaffe? Set in leafy Hampstead, arguably one of the capital’s most beautiful areas, we’re family-owned and family-run and really go the extra mile to make you feel at home.
We’re just three minutes walk from Hampstead tube (on the Northern line) and then it’s a fifteen minute tube ride into the city centre, so you get both the charming ‘village’ feel of our neighbourhood and the opportunity to enjoy some ‘bright lights, big city’ atmosphere too.
Feel free to contact us by email or phone or by clicking here to book a room directly. We look forward to welcoming you.