Hope on the horizon with snowdrops in evidence and aconites too.
Our Events Programme will be released soon so you can contemplate which ones you will attend and get them booked! We have 15 new ones and a record-breaking 41 events in total – in addition to our regular Chit-Chat and Natural History meet ups.
While some of us may be oblivious, there is a lot going on at this time of year behind the scenes overseen by our park staff- maintenance, gardening, repairs, and of course the work on our new commemorative garden is well underway. There is lots to look forward to and to anticipate as the days finally brighten and get longer.
Our Committee is dedicated to making your experience of the Park, the best it can be no matter what your focus- sports, nature, music, events or volunteering.
We have a great Music Programme set to entertain you throughout the summer months and our Fourth Annual Big Lunch will take place on 28 June in the grounds of the Open Air Theatre for the first time. It will be magical.
There is lots to go at so… Do Something Amazing and get involved with the park you love so much. You won’t regret it and you will get much more out of it than you put in, I promise you.
Robin Black
Editor – Friends of Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill
Wednesday February 11th
‘Beetle Diversity in the City: Tales From the River and the Parks’
– Dr Beulah Gardner, London Natural History Museum and Chair, the Coleoptera Society (The society is devoted to the study a large Class of beetle-like insects)
Tuesday, 24th March
‘The Fascinating World of Flies,’ Rory Dimond, Nature Conservationist & Wildlife Monitor.
Both talks will be held at 6:30 p.m. Meeting Room, Regent’s Park Offices, NW1 4NR If you wish to attend one of the above talks please confirm attendance to e-mail below. A full list of Natural History Talks will be published in the Spring/Summer Newsletter and or monthly updates throughout the year.
The Events Programme has now been finalised and, hopefully, will be live on the website by the middle of the month. The printed brochure will be posted to all the Friends on our mailing list at approximately the same time.
This year we are pleased to announce many new events, walks, tours and workshops as well as some time-tested favourites.
Regent’s Canal Walk: Learn about the history of the canal from one of the curators of the London Canal Museum.
Chelsea Physic Garden Tour: Learn about Chelsea Physic Garden’s unique collection which focuses on the medicinal, the herbal and the useful plants.
The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre – Behind the Scenes Tour: Explore back stage before watching Cats, the evening musical.
Interiors of the Terraces, Villas and Buildings of Regent’s Park: A Zoom webinar exploring the history of interior fashion in the Park’s bespoke buildings.
Royal College of Physicians Garden Tour: Explore the R.C.P. Garden of plants used medicinally for hundreds of years.
Container Planting Workshop: Create seasonal container planted arrangements that will bring life and colour to your patios, balconies and small outdoor spaces.
Rose Garden Slow Walk: an opportunity for those who are less mobile to learn about the largest collection of roses in London.
In addition, there is a 5 day course run twice by Capel Manor College entitled, “An Introduction to Floristry & Craft Skills”
The Big Lunch, A Summer Celebration has a new more intimate venue, the grounds of The Open Air Theatre.
Remember there is a limit to the number of places available, so to be sure of a place BOOK EARLY. Look forward to seeing you at many of our events.
Viv Ward
Events Manager
We are looking to recruit two van managers to help with the running of our wonderful information van- Rambling Rosie for the 2026 season. If you have already volunteered on Rosie this could be a more stimulating opportunity for you.
You will get to work with a dedicated team of individuals devoted to helping out in the park. Your job involves overseeing several weekends during the season to make sure we are adequately staffed.
That’s it but we also welcome your input about how the van is run and the merchandise we sell. If interested please contact: Robin Black (rbh@dircon.co.uk) to learn more.
New rules for cyclists in Regent’s Park came into force mid-January as three traffic-light controlled pedestrian crossings were switched on along the Outer Circle at Monkey Hill Gate, Chester Gate and Kent Passage, following a fatal pedestrian death in 2022 and a serious collision in 2024.
Under the new rules for cyclists, riders who run red lights can now be issued £50 on-the-spot fines, according to an official Royal Parks’ press release. The changes mark one of the most significant overhauls of cycling rules ever introduced on London’s busiest park cycling loop.
Work to install three new signalised crossings on the Outer Circle continue with scheduled dates as follows:
Kent Passage – 12/01 – 23/01 (30/01 including signals)
Chester Gate – 26/01 – 06/02 (13/02 including signals)
Monkey Gate – 09/02 – 20/02 (27/02 including signals)
Work on the new garden is proceeding well and is on track for a Spring opening. We await confirmation of the name. York Bridge is currently on track to re-open in March but possibly in April. We will advise in next month’s update.
Tennis provision in the park is coming in house from February and courts will be in play throughout. Catering is being provided from a temporary kiosk whilst works are undertaken on the café and hopefully will be completed by the second week in February.
The children’s boating pool has been emptied and will be cleaned before being refilled for the new season. Gloucester Gate Playground will be closed for a period for renovation works.
Nick Biddle, Park Manager
The Friends are invited to a special event at the park on Wednesday 18 March (11a.m-1.30p.m). The event will include:
• A talk about the new horticulture vision by Matthew Pottage, Head of Horticulture and Landscape Strategy.
• A special pre-opening tour of the new, two-acre garden the charity is creating to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II.
• Members of the charity’s team will also explain the vital role that gifts in Wills are set to play in protecting The Regent’s Park as it faces new challenges and share information about The Royal Parks’ Free Wills service.
The event will begin at the park’s Storeyard. Attendees are warmly invited to join the charity team for refreshments at the Storeyard following the tour. Places are limited.
Please visit royalparks.org.uk/legacyevent to register your interest. You are very welcome to request a ticket for a family member or friend.
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.
This year we will also be pruning the height of the tree, to a height of approximately 10m, where the spread of the tree is approximately 5m. We hope you agree with our assessment that retaining the trees at this scale is appropriate to the formal landscape of the Italian Gardens.
Matt Steinmann, Arboricultural Officer
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)
