On our last full day in London, we had a Blue Badge Guide give us a half-day tour of the city with the Georgian and Regency eras in mind. Besides the many streets filled with Georgian homes and Regency townhouses, we paid a visit to Regents Park. Surrounded by the “outer circle”, the park includes an “inner circle” in which we spent most of our visit.

Commissioned by the Prince Regent as a means to generate some income to pay his massive debts, Regent Street and its green space, Regents Park, weren’t finished until well after he became King George IV. This gem in the middle of London offers a large grass area for sports and includes the London Zoo and Queen Mary’s Gardens, as well as a secret garden.

To get a sense of just how long this park is, check out the view of the walkway from about one-third into the park.

The gardens include roses of every color and a colorful assortment of flowers we’ve seen in other gardens around England.

The real surprise in this park is a little-known “secret garden”. Just pass under the arbors and you’ll emerge into a spectacular example of what used to be a mansion’s backyard garden.

Even when you emerge from this garden, ther are more surprises around the corner.

And more roses!

Although we could have spent all day in this park, we had places to be and other things to see, so we were off. Ta-ta for now!