Are you excited about summer? We are (despite the current rainy weather!) and we have trawled through the internet to bring you the best that London’s eight Royal Parks have to offer.
Below is just a flavour of all the goings on in the Royal Parks. For a full list of events visit www.royalparks.org.uk/whats-on
Open House at British Summer Time Hyde Park
In-between two weekends of legendary musical line-ups, Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park’s Open House which is the family friendly part of the festival. On offer will be free outdoor movie nights, live music, Wimbledon screenings, mindfulness and yoga workshops, circus and cabaret, art workshops and much much more.
When: Open House is on 8 July-11 July.
Where: Hyde Park
How much: Free
Enjoy summer nights at the Bandstand
The bandstands of Greenwich Park and Regent’s Park will come alive this summer with the sweet sound of music.
Expect free performances from a variety of local concert bands, jazz big bands, small groups and choirs – entertainment perfect for your summer picnics and outings. Part of the Regents Park Music Festival and Friends of Greenwich Park concerts.
When: Regent’s Park on Sundays from 22 June to 8 September from 12.30pm til 5.30pm with an interval. At Greenwich Park on Sundays from 23 June at 3pm til 5pm. They will also be hosting a Bank holiday Monday concert on Monday 26 August. More information can be found here.
Where: Regent’s Park & Greenwich Park
How much: Free
Peter Pan walking tour
Find out how Peter made his perilous journey from Bird Island in the Serpentine to the magical shores of the Long Water – you can even have a go at crafting your own miniature clay vessel. There’ll be plenty of surprising and magical activities to delight you as you walk! Walkers are encouraged to dress up, feel the magic as we look at Bird Island, Peter Pan’s statue – and avoid Captain Hook! Children of all ages are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. This is a family focused walk.
When: Tuesday 6 August 11am til 12:30
Where: Kensington Gardens
How much: £5 buy here.
Go on the road with Mission Invertebrate
Discover the magnificent minibeasts that call London’s Royal Parks home. Join Mission: Invertebrate for a day of bug trails, creative crafting and invertebrate missions galore.
Until October, Mission: Invertebrate will be on the road, visiting Royal Parks from Greenwich Park in the east to Bushy Park in the west, giving you the opportunity to get close to nature and learn more about the wonderful world of invertebrates.
When: Various dates, 11am-3pm. See here.
Where: Various Parks
How much: Free
Experience outdoor opera in Regent’s Park
At the end of June, The Regent’s Park will play host to two operatic masterpieces, delivered by Opera Brava, Britain’s leading outdoor opera touring company. In the beautiful surroundings of St John’s Lodge Lawn, you can experience the iconic, romantic and tragic Verdi’s La Traviata, or the timeless social comedy, Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro.
When: Verdi’s La Traviata – Wednesday 26 June, 7.30pm-9.30pm
Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro – Thursday 27 June, 7.30pm-9.30pm
Where: St John’s Lodge Lawn, The Regent’s Park
Cost: Tickets start at £35
Explore the life of Ignatius Sancho in Greenwich Park
Discover the life and times of Ignatius Sancho, with a free walking performance by Tramshed (Greenwich & Lewisham’s Young People Theatre). Trace his life from being born on a slave ship and orphaned by the age of two, to becoming Britain’s first black voter, an accomplished writer and composer and an influential figure in the movement to abolish slavery. To find out more about Ignatius Sancho and the park’s history visit the Greenwich Park Revealed section of the website.
When: 29 and 30 June 2019. 2pm – 2.45pm and 4.30-5.15pm.
Where: The performance will start at the Pavilion Café
How much: free
View art in an open air gallery in Regent’s Park
Back by popular demand, Frieze Sculpture will return to Regent’s Park this summer, creating an exceptional cultural attraction at the heart of the city. Visitors can meander through the English Gardens and view up to 20 sculptures from renowned artists such as Tracey Emin and Anish Kapoor. The exhibition has been curated by Claire Lilley, Director of Programmes at the award-winning Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Watch this space for more information.
When: From 3 July until 6 October.
Where: Regent’s Park
How much: free
Learn about the ancient trees of Kensington Gardens
Discover the majestic veteran trees of Kensington Gardens in a free walk with the park’s resident arboriculturalist.
Learn what makes a tree veteran, the important role they play in history and ecology, and find out how The Royal Parks takes special care them.
When: Saturday 20 July. 10.30am-Noon
Where: Kensington Gardens
How much: free but booking essential. For more information click here.