Regents Park: Lush parkland and stunning Regency architecture

Located to the north-west of the centre of the capital, the Regency Park area is a prime location in London.

There are plenty of reasons to seek out flats to rent in Regency Park, whether you love spending time in the great outdoors, popping in to the shops or dining on delicious foods.

What's more, there are excellent transportation links to other destinations across the city - perfect for the morning commute or enjoying the rest of the city on your days off.

History of the area
During the Middle Ages, Regent's Park belonged to Barking Abbey and it became the property of Henry VIII after the Dissolution of the Monasteries. For many years, it was known as Marylebone Park and used primarily for game hunting, and it was also leased out as farmland for hay farming and dairy production.

In 1811, the Prince Regent hired architect John Nash to develop the area - the result was the verdant park and stunning villas along its border that we see today.

Things to do
The sprawling, 166-hectare park, is a wonderful location for relaxing walks or romantic picnics, and it offers facilities for various sports like tennis, softball, football, rugby and running. It features not only plenty of greenery and gorgeous landscaping, but also a large boating lake, several playgrounds and a bandstand that plays host to a number of concerts and performances throughout the summer months.

There's also the London Zoo, which is the world's oldest scientific zoo and was originally established to house animals for study. Today, it's a popular tourist attraction, while locals also enjoy visiting the zoo to see the more than 750 species of animals that live there.

Whether you're headed out for a walk, run or bicycle ride, the path that follows Regent's Canal from Little Venice to Camden is a fabulous choice. As you follow the waterway, you can enjoy the sight of canal boats lazily floating along, and marvel at the Regency architecture of the fine homes that line the channel.

Local amenities
Situated amongst stylish and affluent areas like Camden, Primrose Hill and Marylebone, properties to let in Regent's Park are within easy reach of some of the finest shopping and trendiest restaurants in London.

For example, there's Orrery, a French restaurant on Marylebone High Street. Michelin-starred head chef Igor Tymchyshyn has created an approachable yet refined menu featuring seasonal local produce, served with creativity and presentational flair.

Schools
Most of the Regent's Park area lies within the City of Westminster, although the north-eastern region includes the borough of Camden, so the education authority will depend on where you live in the area.

The Francis Holland day school is a leading independent institution for girls aged 11-18, while the International Community School is located on the edge of the park.

Meanwhile, Regent's College London offers university facilities, with a curriculum focusing on business, media, psychology and English language.

Transport
The entire Regent's Park area is well connected to the rest of the capital. Nearby Underground stations include Regent's Park, Baker Street and Great Portland Street - which are all located near the south end of the park - while Camden Town and St John's Wood are both situated to the north.

Euston Station is within easy reach of Regent's Park, offering regular services to destinations on the West Coast line, including Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow. Marylebone Station is also located nearby.

Published 17th October, 2012

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