Top things to do in the Royal Parks this spring

One of the highlights of spring in the Royal Parks is seeing the ground burst into colour with flowering plants. Here are just a few of the brilliant blooms you can expect to see over the next few months:

Snowdrops
A sure indicator that warmer weather is on the way, these delicate white flowers can currently be spotted all over the Royal Parks.

Daffodils
One of the first signs of spring, visit St. James’s Park in March to see a carpet of joyful yellow daffodils.

Cherry trees
Every year thousands of visitors flock to see the spectacular pink and white cherry blossoms. Find them from April to May in Greenwich Park, The Regent’s Park, St. James’s Park and Kensington Gardens.

Bluebells
These vibrant violet flowers are one of the nation’s favourites. Spot them in full bloom in May at Richmond Park’s Isabella Plantation, along with evergreen azaleas and rhododendrons.

Crocuses
Last autumn, our Help Nature Thrive team planted thousands of crocus bulbs in front of Apsley Arch in Hyde Park which have just started coming up. These pollen-rich flowers are perfect for bumblebee queens emerging from hibernation, giving them the protein they need to lay their eggs.

Kick off your weekend by getting active in Greenwich Park. Join us for energetic Afro Beats Dance, fun Family Move and Play or gentle strength-building tai chi.

Places are free but must be booked in advance.

When: Various times | Saturdays until 29th April

Where: Greenwich Park Bandstand

Cost: Free

Book now

Alongside our popular tours of Hyde and St. James’s Parks, we’re excited to invite you to join our brand-new tour, ‘Hidden Stories of Kensington Gardens’.

You’ll learn all about the hidden stories behind its famous statues including the beloved Peter Pan, go behind the railings of the Albert Memorial and get a close-up view of the stunning Frieze of Parnassus.

When: Friday 28th April

Where: Kensington Gardens

Cost: £12 per person

Book now

Enjoy a guided nature walk, try bug hunting and learn to identify common wildlife in the parks as part of the City Nature Challenge 2023.

Saturday 29th April | The Broad Walk Cafe, The Regent's Park

Drop in any time between 11 am and 3 pm.

Cost: Free

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Take a closer look at the incredible heritage and nature of St James’s Park. On this introductory tour, you will discover the park’s royal history, revealing how it helped court a king’s mistress, the exotic royal pets it has been home to and its dark underbelly.

When: Friday 12th May

Where: St. James's Park

Cost: £12

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There are over 170,000 trees in the Royal Parks, with some up to 800 years old.

Want to discover the diverse and beautiful trees of the parks at your own pace? Download our free Music for Trees app and enter a soundscape of geo-located music inspired by trees.

Download the app

Get an exclusive close up look at the greatest monument of the Victorian era. This fascinating tour will take you behind the railings of the Albert Memorial as you hear the story of the royal romance that inspired it.

When: Satursday 20th May

Where: Kensington Gardens

Cost: £12

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Take a closer look next time you’re in a Royal Park and you’ll be amazed by how many beautiful bird species you can spot.

You don’t need any specialist knowledge or equipment to start looking out for birds.

Download our free bird spotter sheets to get started.

Join us to hunt for bats in the heart of London.

This hour and a half tour take place at dusk, as London's bats are coming out to play. Be guided through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park at night to search for bat species such as common pipistrelles, soprano pipistrelles and noctules.

When: Thursday 4th May

Where: Hyde Park

Cost: £12 per person

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This May half term holiday, discover the history of the parks with our 'Time Travellers' Discovery Days in Hyde Park.

Drop into these fabulous free events any time between 11am and 3pm.

When: Tuesday 30th May - Thursday 1st June

Where: The LookOut, Hyde Park

Cost: Free

Register your interest