Regent's Park to open a stunning garden to commemorate Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2026 It will open in 2026 to mark what would have been the Queen's centenary year Read More: Chelsea Flower Show garden which pays tribute to the late Queen By Ellen Coughlan For Mailonline Published: 11:23, 6 August 2024 | Updated: 11:40, 6 August 2024 e-mail 1 View comments A new garden to commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II has been approved for planning in Regent's Park in London . The Royal Parks charity has revealed that work is now underway to transform a disused plant nursery in the heart of the park into a beautiful two-acre garden, which is set to open in 2026, to mark what would have been the late Queen's 100th birthday. The garden will reference Queen Elizabeth's life and service by using plants significant to the late monarch or with royal associations.
Flowers such as specially bred Narcissus, used at the Diamond Jubilee, or Tulipa used at royal celebrations. It will also include the late monarch's, who died last September at the age of 96, preferred plants like lily of the valley. The garden, designed by HTA Design LLP and their team including Horticulturalist Dr Noel Kingsbury and Tate + Co architects, will complement nearby historic gardens, drawing inspiration from their design principles while introducing innovative sustainability practices.
A new garden to commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II has been approved for planning in The Regent's Park in London 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. A disused water tower will be transformed into an accessible viewing platform with panoramic views of the garden and its surroundings It would be due to open in 2026 - to coincide with what would have been the royal's 100th birthday - and include plant species which were important to the monarch during her life (The late Queen pictured in 2016) The designs suggest transforming a decommissioned plant nursery, which was previously not open to the public, into a restful two-acre sanctuary '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 significantly 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'. Public engagement sessions were held in January to gather the views of local communities about the new garden.
The response was overwhelmingly positive, with strong enthusiasm for the design, particularly its sustainable ethos. Many attendees expressed that the garden offers opportunities for peace, tranquillity, and connection with nature. Sketches showing proposed plans for a new garden to commemorate the late Queen Elizabeth II have been unveiled by the Royal Parks charity Concept artwork shows views of a pergola, pond, flower garden and a lush meadow for families to enjoy, as well as a woodland area The new garden will significantly 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 The Royal Parks is a charity dedicated to caring for the most famous collection of urban parks in the world.
Their role is to conserve and enhance parkland, so that visitors now and in the future, can enjoy these exceptional green spaces in the heart of a world-leading city. Meanwhile last year, a special garden looking back at the late Queen's favourite plants while commemorating King Charles's reign featured at this year's Chelsea Flower Show. CGI impressions of 'A Garden of Royal Reflection and Celebration' gave an early glimpse of the design, which commemorated the life of Queen Elizabeth II, in April.
The late monarch rarely missed a visit to RHS Chelsea during her 70-year reign. The garden had been put together by gold medal-winning designer Dave Green, and was filled with some of the Windsor family's favourite plants. It had two sections, one to celebrate the new King and the other for visitors to reflect about the late Queen.
Mr Green had undergone thorough research to capture the royal essence. To celebrate the late monarch's tastes, he included light pink and white flowers and plants, such as the rose 'Olivia Austin' and silver birch. For the King, he added in more blues, purples and pinks to capture his planting choices.
While walking through this section visitors saw the magnolia 'Heaven Scent', lupins and geraniums, and the aptly named clematis 'The Duchess of Cornwall'. Mr Green sought advice from Sandringham's Head Gardener, Jack Lingfield, to perfectly encapsulate the King's tastes. Share or comment on this article: Regent's Park to open a stunning garden to commemorate Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2026 e-mail Add comment.
