Attracting over 77 million visitors a year, London’s eight Royal Parks are some of the most precious, picturesque and entertaining open spaces in the world and for the first time, each park has been captured in a new promotional video
Shot throughout 2015/16, the Park Stories video shows highlights of all eight Royal Parks. Covering 5,000 acres, the parks are unique and are used in many different ways by many different people. The video shows the versatility of the parks throughout the seasons.
With the parks costing about £36m each year to manage, of which about 65 percent is raised by The Royal Parks itself, the video highlights some of the areas where efforts are being made to generate more income.
Also featured is history and heritage and flora and fauna, including: Richmond and Busy Parks which are both Special Sites of Scientific Interest; the protected view of St Paul’s Cathedral from Richmond and the iconic views of the city from Greenwich Park and Primrose Hill as well as probably the most famous street in London, The Mall.
These world-class environments not only attract people but are home to an abundance of wildlife and waterfowl including wild deer, ducks, swans, bees, butterflies and bats. The Royal Parks is responsible for maintaining and enhancing these spaces and it is thanks to its many volunteers that the landscapes are kept as beautiful and interesting as they are.
Every visitor has their own reason for being in the parks – whether it is meeting a friend for coffee, playing sport, quiet contemplation or attending an event – generating millions of views and stories.
Here are some stories from some well-known park visitors:
David Beckham: “There’s nothing better than walking my dog with the kids in Hyde Park. You feel you’re in the heart of the greatest city in the world.” (British Airways High Life Magazine)
On becoming Chairman of The Royal Parks, Loyd Grossman, said: “I love London and ever since I moved here I think I’ve used one or another of the Royal Parks every single day of my London life. They are London’s single greatest asset, they make London exciting and a city worth living in.”
The Royal Parks in numbers:
There are eight Royal Parks covering 5,000 acres. The parks boast a mix of formal gardens and wild meadows as well as:
- 170,000 trees
- 100,000 roses
- Over 600 buildings and monuments
- 3 deer parks – Richmond, Bushy and Greenwich
- 21 lakes and ponds
- 15 miles of rivers
- 4,000 different species of animals
- 48 cafes and restaurants
- 28 tennis courts
- 32 miles of roads
- 68 miles of footpaths, horse rides and cycle routes
- 28,000 tulips add a colourful spectacle outside Buckingham Palace every year
- 2 Sites of Special Scientific Interest – Richmond Park is London’s largest
- The largest outdoor sports area in London and the country’s largest free to access waterfowl collection at Regent’s Park
- World Heritage Site and the Prime Meridian Line at Greenwich Park