Monday 29 October 2012

Regent Park, London

This beautiful park was a great project of John Nash in 1811 to transform what had been the hunting forest at the time of Henry VIII. This hunting park was bordered on one side by the village of Marylebone, with the parish of St-Marylebone (c.1400) and the Tyburn River. Next to the Church graveyard and until 1791, there was a hunting lodge used by Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Today all this is part of central London. It is one of the most beautiful Royal Parks in London. It is called Regent's Park in honour of the Prince Regent, son of King George III who assumed the regency in the last years of his father's life. The Prince Regent will become King George IV (1820 to 1830) he will be succeeded by his brother King William IV (1830-1837) the sailor King. This park was a huge real estate project and was to be bordered by Palladian style mansions, some were built but the whole project was never fully realized, though what you see today is nothing short of spectacular. It is my favourite of the Royal Parks in London, the rose garden alone is worth a visit to Regent's Park.

If you walk up Baker street towards Regent's Park you will pass the famous 221 b, Baker Street, the home address of Sherlock Holmes.
it is a museum and open to the public.

one of the many palladian style mansions lining Regent's Park, many are homes or colleges


the park is a very tranquil setting for birds like this Heron to fish in the streams.
In 1935 King George V celebrated his Jubilee as King and Emperor, this gate was erected and Queen Mary's garden created, a beautiful place to visit.


At this time of the year few roses remain in the rose garden but still some beautiful specimen can be seen.



This type of white rose is called Ice Cream

imagine living in one of these flats bordering Regent's Park.

the steeple of St-Marylebone where John Wesley worshipped, he is remembered as the composer of Hark the Herald Angels sing. He is also buried in the Church yard. Lord Byron was baptized at this church and Lord Nelson was also a parishioner as was is daughter Horatia. 

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