Park regulations, legislation and policies

Park regulations, legislation and policies help us to manage the parks and balance the needs of different park visitors.

On this page:

Park regulations
Park policy
Car parking regulations
Penalty notices
Provisions relating to Parliament Square

Park regulations

Park regulations are a set of rules designed to help us balance the needs of different park visitors and look after the parks. Park regulations are enforced by the Metropolitan Police Service.

Printed versions of the Park Regulations are available and published by The Stationery Office Limited.

Braille copies of this Statutory Instrument can also be purchased at the same price as the print edition by contacting TSO Customer Services on +44 (0)870 600 5522.

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Park policy

We also have a number of policies which are designed to ensure the smooth running of the parks. Park policies are covered by overarching regulations.

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Car parking regulations

Printed versions of the Car Parking Regulations are available and published by The Stationery Office.

Braille copies can also be purchased at the same price as the print editions by contacting TSO Customer Services on +44 (0)870 600 5522.

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Penalty notices

Police Officers can issue penalty notices, which carry a £60 fine for the following offences in the Royal Parks:

Littering.
Cycling outside designated cycle areas.
Failing to clear up after a dog.

These powers are already available to police officers in other parks and public spaces across the capital. The introduction of the fines will help the police to deal more quickly and efficiently with these offences. The three offences are all breaches of Royal Park's Regulations.

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Provisions relating to Parliament Square

There are restrictions on the use of camping equipment and amplified noise equipment in areas managed by The Royal Parks in the vicinity of Parliament, namely:

Canning Green
Victoria Tower Gardens
the garden surrounding the Jewel Tower (which includes an enclosed area managed by English Heritage)
the lawn around the King George V Memorial.

All these areas are covered by the Royal Parks and Other Open Spaces Regulations 1997 (as amended). The regulations also require people to have written permission to, among other things, make or give a public speech or address. Other legislation including the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (as amended) also apply in the vicinity of Parliament.

For further information on the controls around Parliament, including the areas we manage, please see the Home Office's Guidance on the provisions relating to Parliament Square and the areas surrounding the Palace of Westminster.

For Canning Green, where slightly different controls apply, please see the Notice for Canning Green (PDF 16.78 KB) leaflet.

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Further information

                    Dogs in the Royal Parks
                
Dogs are welcome in the parks but there are some places where they aren't allowed or should be kept on a lead.

                    Picnics in the Royal Parks
                
Picnics in the parks are a popular activity especially during the busy summer months. Our simple guidelines will ensure all visitors enjoy their Royal Park experience.

                    Exercising in The Royal Parks
                
guidance is for individuals and groups exercising in The Royal Parks