HTA Design, in collaboration with The Royal Parks, horticulturist Dr. Noel Kingsbury, and Tate + Co architects, is transforming a disused plant nursery in Regent’s Park into a beautiful two-acre garden to commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II. Scheduled to open in 2026, the garden will mark what would have been the late Queen’s centenary year.
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The garden’s design will complement nearby historic gardens within the park, drawing inspiration from their design principles while 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.
The new garden will significantly boost biodiversity in the park and will feature diverse habitats with climate-resilient plants to attract wildlife.
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.
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. As a charity, we’re dedicated to increasing green space in London, and this site will add two acres of biodiverse parkland for everyone to enjoy and explore.”
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 at 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.”