Running in the Royal Parks

London’s eight magical Royal Parks cover over 5,000 acres of historic parkland, providing beautiful green spaces right in the heart of the capital where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

They’re a place for you to relax and unwind, as well as exercise and clear your mind. And if it’s history and architecture you're after, the parks have hundreds of buildings, statues, and memorials, giving a fascinating insight into London's heritage.

Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon route 

The stunning 13.1 mile takes in the capital’s world-famous landmarks on closed roads, and four of London’s eight Royal Parks – Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens.

• Hyde Park is a vast open green space right in the heart of London, where there’s something for everyone.  From recreational activities such open water swimming and boating on the Serpentine Lake to concerts and exhibitions in the summer months. It’s also home to a number of famous landmarks including Speakers' Corner and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain.

• Green Park is an elegant and peaceful green space that comprises of 40 acres of mature trees and grassland right next to Buckingham Palace for its millions of visitors to enjoy. It’s also a particularly popular place for sunbathing and picnics in the summer months as well as a key walking route for London’s commuters.

• The oldest of London’s eight Royal Parks, St. James's Park is steeped in history and is the heart of ceremonial London. You can also see the pelicans basking on their favourite rocks in the lake and getting fed fresh fish between 2:30pm and 3:00pm every day.

• Kensington Gardens receives millions of visitors every year and is the home of some of London’s most beautiful and most popular landmarks - from the iconic Kensington Palace and the Albert Memorial to the magnificent Italian Gardens and the Round Pond.

Each of the Parks is different, from the most popular and well known Hyde Park to the historical St James’s Park and the peaceful Green Park. But it’s when all the flowers bloom in Queen Mary’s Rose Gardens and the Avenue Gardens that Regent’s Park becomes the prettiest and most inspiring place to run at this time of year.We've designed some special running routes around Regent’s Park to get you started – download the map and get training today!