Next week, one of London's major parks will unveil a brand-new garden dedicated to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who would have turned 100 this year. The serene space in Regent's Park will officially open to the public on Monday, April 27.
Garden Features and Design
The Queen Elizabeth II Garden spans two acres and is located in the middle of Regent's Park, behind the Espresso Bar on the Broad Walk, just a stone's throw from the Avenue Gardens. It occupies the former site of a plant nursery that once supplied shrubs and plants for the Royal Parks but was decommissioned in 2018. Planning permission for the garden was granted in 2024.
The landscape has been filled with new trees, wildflowers, hedgerows, and over 5,000 square metres of climate-resilient plants. Among the flora is Lily of the Valley, the late monarch's favourite bloom, which was part of her coronation bouquet. A magnolia has also been specially selected because it typically flowers around the same time as the Queen's birthday.
Beyond the plants, the garden includes a large pond with seating and a pergola, a tall lookout tower, and a winding path that meanders through the entire space. To support biodiversity, the garden features bat nesting boxes, roosts for swifts, and habitats designed to support hedgehogs.
Wildlife and Opening
Although the garden was completed in January, it has already attracted a wide range of wildlife, including bees, butterflies, and a fox that reportedly visits almost every day. The garden is a fitting tribute to the late Queen, who would have celebrated her 100th birthday on April 21.
The opening coincides with other events marking the occasion, such as a fashion exhibition at Buckingham Palace showcasing some of the Queen's most iconic outfits, a presentation of the final recommendations for the Queen Elizabeth Memorial at the British Museum, and a reception with former patronages and centenarians also celebrating their birthdays.
Visitors to Regent's Park can enjoy this peaceful new garden as a lasting legacy to the beloved monarch.
