So many wonderful events coming to the Royal Parks for summer 2021. From live music, an outdoor cinema (and theatre!) to family discovery days and glorious carriage rides with the rare shire horses and lots more to keep young Londoners entertained in one of London’s eight Royal Parks.
Get on your dancing shoes in Greenwich and The Regent’s Park
Throughout summer, Greenwich and The Regent’s Park will be playing host to a variety of sensational local concert bands, jazz Big Bands and small groups. These free concerts are the perfect entertainment for your summer picnics and outings.
When: Starting 26 June until 19 September
Where: The Bandstand and The Broad Walk in The Regent’s Park / The Bandstand, Greenwich Park
How much: free
Go on a family adventure with a free Discovery Day in Hyde Park
Out of school and full of boundless energy! There is no better way to get the kids outside and engaged in nature than on one of the popular drop-in Discovery Days. Choose from a variety of nature-inspired activities including pond dipping, bug hunting, painting, sweep netting and more. As part of the Let’s Do London Campaign, each week there will be a different theme from Meadow Madness and Life Underground to Wild Water and the beloved Peter Pan.
When: Starting 3 August, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Where: The LookOut Discovery Centre, Hyde Park
How much: free. Click here to register your interest or drop in anytime between 11am-3pm.
Fly away with the Gorilla Circus Flying Trapeze School
Anyone can come and learn to fly in one of the two-hour classes provided, the youngest students are 8, and oldest (so far) 78! You will start with a warm-up, moving on to simple tricks and as your confidence grows, attempt the star trick on the Flying Trapeze. There are a variety of drop-in sessions, classes and courses to choose from.
When: Ongoing until 13th September
Where: The Regent’s Park and Kensington Gardens
How much: from £34.50 more info and booking here.
Summer of Play in the Royal Parks
Hundreds of businesses, charities, and councils from all over the UK have come together this summer to enable all children, in all our communities, to have space and time for play this summer. In partnership with London Play, The Royal Parks invite you to join their team of playworkers for events and activities jam-packed with fun and creativity. Come along and embrace ‘The Summer of Play’ as we let our imaginations and curiosities lead the way.
When: Starting 26 June to 19 September
Where: Gloucester Gate playground in The Regent’s Park / Greenwich Park playground
How much: Free
Watch a moonlight movie in the Royal Parks
As the sun sets in Brompton Cemetery, watch dinosaurs run loose in Jurassic Park or sing along to everyone’s favourite Bohemian Rhapsody in Kensington Palace. Revel in the heart-throbbing moments of The Shining in The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre or for a romantic date, impress with a screening of Romeo and Juliet, at Victoria Tower Gardens.
When: Starting 3 August to 30 September
Where: The Regent’s Park, Brompton Cemetery, Kensington Gardens, Victoria Tower Gardens.
How much: from £8 for kids. More info and booking here.
Experience a guided walking tour around the historic Royal Parks
There is something for everyone from an underground river running beneath Hyde Park, a secret Victorian pet cemetery, exclusive access to Duck Island in St James’s Park to a hidden hollow tree in Kensington Gardens known to be the annual nesting site of tawny owls. Join your expert guide and experience the Royal Parks from a whole new perspective.
When: All year round
Where: Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, St James’s Park and Green Park
How much: Varies. More info and booking here.
Go on tour 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: Starting 3 August to 26 August, 11am-3pm.
Where: Various Parks
How much: free more info here.
Get cultural with a family-friendly outdoor theatre show
Soak up the sunny weather, have a laugh and enjoy some picnic snacks with ‘La Confusione of Arlecchino & His Mates’. A commedia dell’arte (Italian comedy) show which tells a story of mayhem in between masters, their teenage sons and daughters and their servants who try to help them, but most of the time end up hindering and causing more confusion.
When: Various Dates
Where: Field behind the Greenwich Park Playground.
Click here for more information and to book tickets
Visit the Serpentine Lido for a swim and relax at the Lido Café Bar
What better way to spend a lazy summer afternoon than a refreshing dip at the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park, followed by a spot of lunch at the nearby Lido Café Bar. Excitingly the Lido Cafe now boasts a new roof terrace called ‘The Rooftop’ that overlooks the Serpentine Lake with beautiful scenic views, perfect for a few drinks with friends on a summer’s evening. Find out opening times and prices for the Serpentine Lido here and more about the Lido Café and Bar here.
Feel like royalty with a glorious carriage ride in Bushy Park
Every weekend in August, The Royal Parks Shires will be put to a stunning Charabanc, evoking memories of times gone by. Rides last approx. 30 minutes, and start and finish on Chestnut Avenue, between the Pheasantry and the main car park. It’s for a good cause, too. Proceeds from the rides will enable the Shire horses to undertake conservation work in winter, making Bushy Park even greener. Did you know Shire horses are rarer than pandas?