PLACES FOR KIDS: PARKS IN LONDON
Individual parks
Hyde Park
Kensington Gardens
St James's Park and The Green Park
Regent's Park and Primrose Hill
Greenwich Park
Richmond Park
HYDE PARK
Hyde Park came into existence in 1536 when the land was acquired for hunting purposes. It has developed over the years in response to the wishes of the Crown and the public and has a strong tradition of events and publicspectacles. There are links with the military through the presence of Knightsbridge barracks on its boundary and the continuing practice of firing Gun Salutes from the Parade Ground. The two most famous features of the Park are the Serpentine, a lake of some 11.34 hectares used for swimming, boating and fishing; and Rotten Row, the world famous riding track, which celebrated its tercentenary in 1990 and was the first lit public road to be created in this country. Despite its heavy use the Park manages to convey an air of rural tranquillity much valued by both tourists and local users.
Amenities * Horse-riding track * Boating on the Serpentine
(canoeing, rowing, paddle boats) * Seasonal swimming from
the Lido (with cafe and gym) * Fishing in the Serpentine
(only with permits) * Bowling and putting greens * Tennis
courts * Playground * Band concerts (Sundays and Bank Holidays
from May to August) * Dell Restaurant (cafeteria style)
* Cycle routes * Outdoor riding arena
Park officeTelephone: 0207-298 2100
Postal address: Park Manager, Rangers Lodge, Hyde Park,
London W2 2UH
KENSINGTON GARDENS
The Gardens were formed following the creation of Kensington
Palace in 1689 by William and Mary with land taken from
Hyde Park. The original gardens were modest in size but
were extended in the early 18th century to a design by Charles
Bridgeman which still gives the gardens their main structure
today. This has been overlaid by Victorian influences, the
most notable of which are the Italian Gardens (recently
refurbished) and the Albert Memorial (currently swathed
in scaffolding and polythene awaiting repair).A number of
features have been added in the 20th century which have
added to the impression of the Gardens as a genteel environment
associated with children and passive recreation.
Amenities * Orangery (restaurant in summer) * Serpentine
Gallery * Sailing model boats on Round Pond * Kite-flying
* Playgrounds (2) * Puppet shows (twice daily for four weeks
in summer)
Park office Telephone: 0207-298 2100
Postal address: Park Manager, Magazine Storeyard, Magazine
Gate, Kensington Gardens, London W2 2UH
ST JAMES'S PARK AND THE GREEN PARK
These two Parks lying to the east of Buckingham Palace
were acquired by Henry VIII in the early 16th century at
the same time as Hyde Park. They provide the backdrop for
British ceremonial life with The Mall, the processional
route between the Palace and Whitehall and Horse Guards
Parade, the venue for major ceremonial occasions. St James's
Park reflects the English picturesque style of landscaping
which was prominent in the 19th century. Although there
have been many minor additions and alterations, the layout
is essentially that laid out by John Nash in 1827. It is
a very popular Park especially with tourists and office
workers. It is famous for its views, its waterfowl and its
flower displays.
Amenities * The Cake House * Children's playground * Deck-chairs
(April to September) * Band concerts (lunchtime and early
evening end of May to end of August, twice daily)
Park officeTelephone: 0207-930 1793
Postal address: Park Manager, The Storeyard, St James's
Park, Horse Guards Parade, London SW1A 2BJ
REGENT'S PARK AND PRIMROSE HILL
Regent's Park has evolved from the 1811 plans of John Nash,
Crown Architect and friend of the Prince Regent, who, to
raise revenue for the Crown, designed a private residential
estate set in parkland. The site is gently undulating rising
to the steep conical summit of Primrose Hill from which
there are fine views of Westminster and the City. Many changes
have taken place within the framework of Nash's original
scheme. The area now open to the public exceeds 400 acres,
predominately open parkland but supporting a wide range
of facilities and amenities including fine gardens, a lake
with islands, heronry and waterfowl collection, sports and
catering facilities, children's playgrounds and an Open
Air Theatre.
Amenities * Open Air Theatre (end May to early September
- advance booking is essential: telephone 0207-486 2431)
* Bandstands (a variety of concerts, lunchtime and evening)
* Lake-side theatre (occasional) * Rose Garden Buffet *
Toilets for the disabled and nappy-changing room by the
Chester Gate Tea House * Broad Walk Tea House * Tennis and
netball courts and tea pavilion (booking office and changing
rooms) * Tennis and golf school * Bernhard Baron Pavilion
(changing rooms) * Athletics track * Cricket * Blind cricket
* Softball pitches * Rounders pitches * Football * Rugby
* Hockey * Playgrounds (3, each with attendant) * Puppet
shows and other children's activities on weekdays throughout
August * Boating: on main lake, April to September - rowing,
electric launch * Children's pool: rowing, canoeing, pedalos
* London Zoo (entrance in Outer Circle with coach and car
parks) * Waterbus (on Regent's Canal)
Park opening times The park is open from 5 a.m. until dusk
all year round.
Park information office.Telephone: 0207-486 7905
Postal address: Park Manager, The Store Yard, Inner Circle,
Regent's Park, London NW1 4NR
GREENWICH PARK
This 185 acre Park was created in 1433, the first Royal
Park to be enclosed. There have been deer in the Park since
the 15th century and these are now enclosed in the area
known as the Wilderness. There is a fine viewtowards the
National Maritime Museum and across the Thames to Docklands
and the City of London. The Royal Observatory is the centrepiece
of the Park, which, in addition to the deer enclosure, contains
formal gardens, open areas, many historic avenues of trees
and a popular boating lake and children's playground. There
are also sporting facilities and a popular cafeteria.
Amenities * The Old Royal Observatory * Open every day except
Chrisrtmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day April 1 - September
30: Monday to Saturday 10 am - 6 pm, Sunday 12 noon - 6
pm October 1 - March 31: Monday to Saturday 10 am - 5pm,
Saturday and Sunday 2 pm - 5 pm * Observatory planetarium
(by appointment) * Cafe at Greenwich Park (open all year)
* Tennis courts (6) * Putting green * Rugby footbal pitch
* Cricket pitch * Hockey pitch * Bandstand (Sunday concerts
during summer) * Children's playground * Children's boating
pool (pedalos, canoes) * Children's entertainment (puppet
shows and workshops for six weeks of summer school holiday,
excluding Sundays) * Car parking
Park opening times Greenwich Park is open from dawn to
dusk throughout the year.
Park office Telephone: 0208-858 2608
Postal address: Park Manager, Blackheath Gate, Greenwich
Park, London SE10 8QY
RICHMOND PARK
Richmond Park, extending over some 955 hectares (2,360
acres), is a heritage landscape of national importance.
The Park was enclosed as a hunting park by Charles I in
1637 and still retains many ingredients of a medieval deer
park. Essential to its character is the rich landscape of
semi-natural acidic grassland, areas of bog and bracken,
wetland, woodland and ancient parkland trees, and the herds
of fallow and red deer that still roam the park. In 1992
the park was notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest
by English Nature.
Amenities * Pembroke Lodge - cafeteria (telephone 0208-940
8207) 1 November - 31 March: 10 am until 30 minutes before
park closes 1 April - 31 October: weekdays 10 am - 5.30
pm, weekends 10 am - 7 pm * Pembroke Lodge - light music
lunchtimes, early afternoons (Friday to Sunday, late June
to end of August) * Kiosks - 10 am to 30 minutes before
park closes * Golf courses restaurant - open all year from
8 am during daylight hours * Two public golf courses (for
booking telephone 0208-876 3205) * Sailing model boats on
the pond near Sheen Gate - beware, some of the banks are
steep * Horse-riding (no stables or hiring facilities in
the park) anywhere in the park up to 12 noon and after 6
pm (or till park closes), except for enclosed areas, footpaths
and areas of mown grass. After these times, horse-riding
must be confined to the roads, the riding tracks all around
the park and the riding ring; also confined to tracks at
all times when notices displayed. * Playground at Petersham
Gate * Fishing on Pen Ponds (with licence) * Cycling on
cycle tracks and al roads (except those closed by notice)
Park opening times The park opens at 7.00 am in summer,
7.30 am in winter and closes at dusk
Park office Telephone: 0208-948 3209
Postal address: Superintendent's Office, Holly Lodge, Bog
Lodge Yard,Richmond Park, Surrey TW10 5H
