PLT enjoyed a fascinating visit to a preview of the new garden in Regent’s Park, created as a memorial to the late Queen Elizabeth II. Arranged through The Royal Parks, our group was fortunate to be among the final tours before the garden’s formal opening on 21st April—the late Queen’s birthday.
The weather was kind to us, with mild temperatures, hazy sunshine, and barely a breath of wind. The site looked spectacular, with spring bulbs in full bloom. Our visit began with a short introduction to the park’s history, with Trustee Anthony Bickmore sharing insights from his time working for the Crown Estate, where he oversaw urban properties including Regent’s Park.
Fiona Packe, Head Gardener of Regent’s Park, gave an engaging overview of the redevelopment of the Royal Parks’ former depot and nursery site. She highlighted the thoughtful approach taken to reuse materials and enhance sustainability. Following its official opening, the memorial garden will become part of Regent’s Park and accessible for the public to enjoy.
After leaving the memorial garden, Alister Hayes, Head of Programmes at The Royal Parks, introduced us to the wider historical and ecological context of the park. Across the Royal Parks’ 5,000 acres, around 80 million visits are recorded each year. Alister also guided us along the Broad Walk, explaining the formal tree planting design and how to estimate the age of trees. We passed a regenerative pond and meadow area, where we discussed the rapid decline in hedgehog populations and the possible link to anti-flea treatments used on pets.
We are very grateful to Fiona and Alister for sharing their knowledge and expertise. Some of us rounded off the visit with a well-earned cup of tea at the Royal Parks café.
