REGENT PARK, LONDON
 

Is this park worth seeing, if you have already seen Hyde park ? I mean, anything special to warrant a tourist's precious time. I will be going to the zoo which is supposed to be near the park.

Don't you mean Regent's Park?

Yes, Sorry, I meant Regent's Park

Well, if my time were short, London Zoo would be pretty far down the list of things I'd be going to. If you've a specific interest, fine. But there are an awful lot of better zoos around the world.

If you're set on going there, most routes to it take you through Regent's Park. Unless it's raining, the walk through the park is very pleasant: so is the walk from the zoo along the canal to Camden Town tube. And an evening at the park's Open Air Theatre is always fun - though you have to be comfortable with the high likelihood it'll pour.

Like Hyde Park, Regent's Park is just another big park. Essential for us, as it's a way of getting access to greenery. But not a lot there worth going out of your way to visit, unless you come from arid parts of the world.

Regent's Park does have long rows of flower beds, and the gardeners are pretty good at keeping something in bloom for quite a long time. To me, they're a bit soulless: they have that feel of a competent, but unimaginative, municipal parks department. The park's nicely framed by very elegant rows of Regency houses.

Cotswoldscouser,
Is the boat ride in the park worth it?

garfield...i think we all realised that he meant the regent's park but as long as you are going to the bother of being pedantic at least do it right...it's THE Regent's Park.

the regent's park is one of the nicest parks in london. i was there yesterday and it was absolutely beautiful. the tulips are perfect right now and soon the roses will be in bloom. part of the park is "just another big park" but the queen mary's gardens part is one of the most impressive that you will see in a public park.

i understand CS's point about the soulless nature of the arrangements. it is very formal and symmetric...flowers are arranged largely by colour. it does give the feeling that it was designed on a computer. however, there are a lot of people in england with very strong feelings on garden design so you hear criticisms of all gardens.

if i were to visit one park, it would be the regent's park. i really don't understand the fascination with hyde park that so many visitors have.

If you are there in the summer, go to the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park to see a Shakespeare play. Highly recommended!

I'd say that it's worth walking through Regent's Park to get to Primrose Hill - where you can get some great views of London. There's also the village of Primrose Hill which is a lovely little haven of coffee shops and boutique shops. A LOT of celebrities live in PH because it's unlike most of the rest of London and it's really quiet - there's no through road so most people don't know it's there... I used to work there and it was heaven compared to Soho where I am now!

Is Primrose Hill in Regent's Park, ie, walkable distance from the Zoo.

Ok - first this zoo thing. Are you sure you need to go to the London zoo? Unless you are one who visits the zoo in every city they visit, it really isn't much to write home about. A nice zoo but nothin much special.

Now regent's Park has a LOT going for it. <u>Queen Mary's Rose Garden</u> is truly amazing in the summer. <u>Primrose Hill</u> - not actually IN the park but just across the way. P. Hill is just across from the zoo end of Regent's Park - but that doesn't mean one has to go to the zoo to go to P. Hill. The <u>Open air theatre</u>, etc.

I love Regent's Park - but probably on a short first visit unless it was for the theatre or Rose Garden I probably wouldn't bother (UNLESS I was staying up Marylebone way - then I'd probably be there every morning for a walk)

London Zoo is on the north side of the park - and Primrose Hill is just over the road from there. If you're looking for a quiet day then I'd recommend it, particularly if it's a nice day and you want to take a picnic.

I should also add though that it's not worth going out of your way to go to the Zoo, it's not the best in England, let alone the world...

The Zoo visit is a &quot;bribe&quot; for my Son!!!

Well I'm all in favour of bribing children for holiday harmony!

Just to point out the nearest Tube Station for London Zoo / Primrose Hill is Camden Town - so it makes a good Sunday combo with Camden Market

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/buses/pdfdocs/centlond.pdf

Alan - might have to disagree with you there, Chalk Farm is really better for Camden, and much less hectic!! Having said that, I strongly recommend people do a combination of Camden Lock market and Primrose Hill in one day - a stark contrast! But do the Camden bit first - you need to relax afterwards! :-)

Tallulah, you made me laugh. Having recently been to Camden Market and the Regent's Park I second the notion to see Camden first!

But then you miss out on the shops on the way up to Camden Lock - plus of course the service to Camden Town is more frequent

Alan - Sorry I was thinking that it's quite a long walk from Camden if you don't know the canal route.. but if you're thinking that route then yes, Camden is more convenient....

It's quite a pleasant walk from Little Venice to Regent's Park.
You pass &quot;Tony's Birdcage&quot; on the way.