Keep an eye out for the ‘Royal Parks’ rose as you make your way through the garden which is also home to the Delphinium border and Begonia Garden. Wander through Queen Mary’s Gardens and surround yourself with the scent of nearly 12,000 roses. There is plenty to see and do in the 395 acres that make up The Regent’s Park. What is there to see at The Regent’s Park? The Park was designed by architect John Nash and is named after the Prince Regent, who later became King George IV.
There is also a playground for children, as well as sports facilities and public toilets with disabled access.Discover beautiful rose gardens, wildlife, open air theatres and more in The Regent’s Park, one of London’s eight Royal Parks. Visitors are welcome to have picnics anywhere on Primrose Hill, and both locals and tourists are also welcome to go for a run, walk their dogs, or even have a get together with friends and play some music (although not too loudly, of course). Perhaps it may go without saying, but a climb up to the top of Primrose Hill during the sunrise and/or sunset hours are the best time to visit the area.īecause it’s quite a steep climb to the summit, all visitors should wear comfortable walking shoes, bring a bottle of water, and dress warmly if you plan on visiting in the evening/nighttime hours. Recommended visiting time is around two to three hours, depending on whether you want to sit down and enjoy the views from the top of Primrose Hill. There is also a Primrose Hill market which draws both locals and tourists to the area every Saturday. John’s Wood visitors can cross the famous Abbey Road, and even see Abbey Road Studios. Visitors can also easily walk to the nearby Regent’s Park, ZLS Zoo, and Camden Town, and by walking through St. Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes (3 Chalcot Square and 23 Fitzroy Road – with the latter being where Plath ultimately committed suicide).Friedrich Engels (122 Regent’s Park Road).Some of the many houses which were once lived in by famous residents have been marked with English Heritage blue plaques such as: Not just limited to Primrose Hill, walking around its surrounding streets is a highlight in itself, as many of the streets, buildings, homes and pubs have been left untouched for many years, giving a very unique, architectural feel that is unlike any other in London.Ī lot of visitors head to Primrose Hill to do some celebrity-watching, as many famous names are known to both live and visit in and around Primrose Hill. If you happen to be visiting Primrose Hill on a cloudy or rainy day, you can still read the plaques at the top of the hill which name the buildings you might be able to see from the view points.Īt the Primrose Hill summit lies a York stone which is inscribed with a William Blake quote, as well as the famous “Shakespeare’s Tree.” In 1864 an oak tree was planted here to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth, although the tree that stands there today is a replacement tree which was planted in 1964. The trees in Primrose Hill are kept low so the view won’t be obscured, and on a sunny day you’ll be able to see attractions and landmarks like The London Eye, The Shard, and The BT Tower. As a matter of fact, Primrose Hill became so famous because of its famous residents, a group of London-based celebrities like Kate Moss, Davinia Taylor, Ewan McGregor, Sadie Frost and Jude Law became known as the “Primrose Hill Set” during the 1990s.īy climbing to the top of Primrose Hill, visitors can enjoy views of the London skyline from 63 metres above sea level from six different viewpoints. Today Primrose Hill is a highly desirable place to live among the rich and famous, and some of the many celebrities who once lived (or still live) here include Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, Dylan Thomas, Boris Johnson, Kate Moss, Gavin Rossdale, Jude Law, and many more.
Throughout its history Primrose Hill has changed very little, and just strolling around its surrounding streets you will feel as if you’re walking around a London village during the 20th century. It is believed to have been named Primrose Hill due to the number of primroses which once grew here (although not much of them can be seen today), but some experts believe it was named after Archibald Primrose, who was famous for the expansion of the London underground. Up until the 19th century, Primrose Hill was no more than just a woodland area filled with trees and wolves, and it was even once used as a hunting ground by the English monarchs. But once you see the stunning panoramic views of the London skyline from the top of Primrose Hill, you’ll see why it’s such a popular place to visit in London. With so many attractions in London to choose from, climbing to the top of a hill might not be everyone’s idea of a holiday.