4 gorgeous parks featured in the Royal Parks Half
The stunning 13.1 mile closed-road route takes in not only London’s world-famous landmarks, but four of London’s eight beautiful Royal Parks; Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens.
Since 2008, over 128,000 runners have crossed the finish line, raising over £36M for nearly 1,000 charities. The route is designed to get the best out of the four featured Royal Parks, optimising their beauty not just for runners but for spectators too.
We’ll be taking a look at the stunning Royal Parks featured in Central London’s now-iconic half marathon, to help inspire your decision to sign up for next year’s event!
Hyde Park
Created in 1536 by Henry VIII for hunting, Hyde Park is host to over 4,000 trees, the Serpentine Lake, a meadow and ornamental flower gardens.
Runners setting off from the Hyde Park start line
Hyde Park covers an area of 142 hectares (350 acres)
The Green Park
Home to numerous memorials, fountains and statues, The Green Park is the smallest of the eight Royal Parks. It also forms an important link between Hyde Park and St James’s Park, the next section of the half marathon course.
It's the only Royal Park with no lake, pond or body of water
St James’s Park
Sitting at the heart of ceremonial London, St James’s Park is the setting for spectacular pageants like Trooping the Colour. The park is surrounded by Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, St James's Palace and Westminster.
A view of the London Eye from St James’s Park
The mile-5 view as you run down The Mall alongside St James’s Park towards Buckingham Palace
Kensington Gardens
Featuring in the final couple of miles of the Royal Parks Half, Kensington Gardens are the setting for Kensington Palace, the birthplace of Queen Victoria.
Approaching mile 12, you’ll get a view of Royal Albert Hall
Runners pass the Physical Energy statue in Kensington Gardens
Inspired to enter the Royal Parks Half Marathon?
Many charities are offering guaranteed places in the Royal Parks Half Marathon – secure your charity Royal Parks Half place now.