The park is glowing, with the trees sporting their glorious autumn colours.
Frieze London/Frieze Masters is being dismantled. To the south in Hyde Park, Winter Wonderland is now being installed for mid-November. You will now have received your Autumn/Winter newsletter in the post unless you opted to receive it electronically. You can change your preferences at any time by going to the website and logging in.
There is still lots going on in the park as you will see from this update. The events noted here still have a few places left so book now if you want to participate. And remember, litter picking is required year round so if you want to join Mike Baker’s dedicated team, go to the volunteering page to learn more.
Our list of talks for the autumn-winter season is now ready and all interested are most welcome. These are especially for Friends but those who are not are encouraged to join. Starting from 6:30 p.m., at which time parking becomes free on the Inner Circle.
We gather Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m in the Park office meeting room, right and immediately right again off the junction of Chester Road and the Inner Circle:
4 November : ‘Spiders in London’s Park’s – Room for More or Could do Better?
By Edward Milner, Spider recorder for London
9 December : ‘Festive Molluscs..’
By Noel Brock, Director, Frognal Gardens
All the tools and materials needed to make a beautiful festive winter wreath and a table décor design are provided, however, if you would like to include any “baubles” of your own in your design, please bring them with you. The festive wreath will use a mossed base, winter foliage and basic accessories like dried fruit and pine cones, all of which will be provided.
There will be an initial demonstration by an experienced tutor, who will then guide participants in every step of the way to create their own designs to take away and enjoy over the festive season. Remember to bring a large bag with you to take them home.
COST: £40 Cost includes all necessary materials. Friends only.
Many of you will have enjoyed Matt Steinmann’s tree walks in the spring and summer. During the winter, without their cloaks of distinctive leaves, you could be forgiven for thinking that deciduous trees can all look the same, bare and twiggy. Look a little closer, and you will find that there are key characteristics that can help you single out each species even when they have lost their leaves which give a tree its distinctive shape.
Commonly found trees like beech, oak, and birch, have distinct characteristics visible even without leaves. Join Matt, the Arboricultural Officer of The Royal Parks, in this walk when he will share his experience and show us what to look for in winter. 25 places – 23 Friends, 2 guests.
The Friends Committee have decided to change the way we celebrate the ‘End of Season’ with our members. Recognising that our membership covers all members of the family living in the same residence, we are planning a Christmas party to which children will be welcome.
The party will take place in December at the Bar & Kitchen Restaurant just off the Inner Circle. The party committee will be meeting this week to start planning the arrangements, but if you have any suggestions about what to include, please let us know. Would any of our members like to be Santa Claus!??
Take part in a unique opportunity to shape a lasting tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and enjoy a behind-the-scenes guided walk before its opening next year. Please note, the garden is currently under construction.
You will help plant a variety of spring bulbs, including daffodils and snowdrops, alongside more unusual flowers. These bulbs have been chosen to add a joyous pop of colour, as well as some to provide nectar and pollen for vital pollinating insects.
Meet at the Broad Walk Espresso Bar where you will be greeted by the team and taken into the garden at your start time. You will be provided with all the equipment you need and learn about the bulbs you’re planting. Your 30-minute bulb planting session will be followed by a 20-minute guided tour of the new garden. No experience is necessary, just enthusiasm for nature and conservation. This is a ticketed event but it is FREE. Click below to book a place.
The name for the new garden to commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II is soon to be announced. Meanwhile, the structure of the garden is mostly laid out and the new (large) trees are in.
The gardeners are currently planting 200,000 bulbs, but planting opportunities are available for Volunteers. (See above if you’d like to join in – it’s free)
Opening is likely to be in spring. An additional Head Gardener, Fiona Packe, recruited in August, will lead a team caring for this garden. Associated refurbishment works to Chester Road toilets, closest to the new Garden, are currently under way as well.
The signalised crossing at Clarence Gate has been replaced and now has a countdown timer, making it far safer and easier for pedestrians to cross. In addition to this, the Crown Estate Paving Commission and TRP are working on designs for replacing three of the crossing points on the Outer Circle to improve safety for pedestrians. These are likely to be installed early in the New Year.
Thank you to our sponsors
©2025 Friends of Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill
Friends of Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill is a registered charity in England and Wales (no 1201666)
