Work is underway to transform a disused plant nursery in the heart of Regent’s Park into a two-acre garden, which is set to open in 2026, marking what would have been the late Queen’s centenary year.
The Queen’s Commemorative Garden, designed by HTA Design LLP and their team including Horticulturalist Dr Noel Kingsbury and Tate + Co architects, will complement nearby historic gardens within the park, drawing inspiration from their design principles while introducing innovative sustainability practices. Key features of the garden will include a circular pond enhancing wildlife habitats, a central promenade with an accessible platform over the pond, and a vibrant flower garden showcasing species significant to the late Queen.
A disused water tower will be transformed into an accessible viewing platform with panoramic views of the garden and its surroundings. The tower will provide habitats for birds, bats, and invertebrates, serving as a unique educational tool for visitors to explore the natural oasis of the new garden and the wider park.
Andrew Scattergood, Chief Executive of The Royal Parks, said: “The approval of planning permission marks an exciting step forward in the creation of the new garden, which is designed to be a tranquil space for reflection, accessible to all. It provides a serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. This site will add two acres of biodiverse parkland for everyone to enjoy and explore”.
The new garden will boost biodiversity in the park and will feature diverse habitats such as nectar-rich planting, meadows, woodlands, and hedgerows with climate-resilient plants to attract wildlife, such as invertebrates and pollinators.
Sustainable practices will guide the garden’s development, such as reusing steel from the former nursery greenhouses to create elements of the new pergola and repurposed water tower. Additionally, concrete from demolition material will be recycled and transformed into growing mediums, making it a landmark for sustainable urban design.
Katharina Erne, Associate Senior Landscape Architect, HTA Design said: “We are honoured to be working with The Royal Parks on the design of such a significant new garden to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II, right in the heart of The Regent’s Park. The design transforms a brownfield site into a stunning, biodiverse and climate resilient garden for the public to enjoy for many years to come”.