London’s eight Royal Parks are a network of green spaces that together cover over 5,000 acres across the city.
Unlike municipal parks, they were originally owned by the Crown and reserved for royal use—often as hunting grounds, private gardens, or ceremonial landscapes. Over time, these parks were gradually opened to the public, and today they are managed by The Royal Parks charity on behalf of the nation.
They are free to enter and open year-round, though some facilities, such as cafés, boating lakes, or gardens, have seasonal hours. They are accessible by public transport and often linked to walking and cycling routes.
Here’s our guide to each of them.
Hyde Park
Location: Central London, adjacent to Kensington Gardens (350 acres)
Probably the most famous of the Royal Parks, Hyde Park in central London dates back to 1536, when King Henry VIII acquired the land from Westminster Abbey for use as a private hunting ground. It was finally opened to the general public by Charles I in 1637 and has since become one of the city’s most beloved and iconic green spaces.
A central feature is the large artificial Serpentine lake, created in the 1730s where visitors can enjoy boating or open-water swimming at the Serpentine Lido during the warmer months.
Key landmarks and attractions within the park include:
- Speakers’ Corner: Located in the northeast corner near Marble Arch, this is a world-famous symbol of free speech where public debates and orations have taken place since 1872.
- Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain: A unique, circular granite water feature designed to reflect the Princess’s inclusive personality.
- Rotten Row: Historically a fashionable horse-riding track, its name is believed to be a corruption of the French “Route du Roi” or King’s Road, which was the first lamp-lit highway in London.
- The Rose Garden: A beautiful, formal garden near Hyde Park Corner.
- Memorials: The park also houses Britain’s Holocaust Memorial and the 7 July Memorial, commemorating the victims of the 2005 London bombings
Kensington Gardens
Location: West of Hyde Park, bordering Kensington Palace (265 acres).
Originally part of Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens was separated in 1728 at the request of Queen Caroline, wife of George II. It was landscaped in the formal style of the time, with avenues, ornamental water features, and a more controlled layout than its larger neighbour.
The park contains Kensington Palace, a working royal residence, along with the Italian Gardens, a 19th-century ornamental water garden; the Albert Memorial, commemorating Prince Albert; and the Serpentine Gallery, a contemporary art venue.
Its character is quieter and more formal than Hyde Park, with a blend of open lawns and tree-shaded walks.
St James’s Park
Location: Between Buckingham Palace and Whitehall, central London (57 acres)
St James’s Park is the oldest of the Royal Parks, established as a deer park by Henry VIII in 1532.
It underwent a major redesign in the 17th century under Charles II, who introduced formal landscaping in the French style. In the early 19th century, John Nash remodelled the park into its current informal layout, with winding paths and an ornamental lake.
The park is notable for its views: one axis looks towards Buckingham Palace, another towards Horse Guards Parade.
The lake supports a colony of pelicans, a gift from Russia in the 17th century, and its bridges offer some of the city’s most recognisable vistas.
Green Park
Location: Between St James’s Park and Hyde Park, central London (40 acres)