Description: I love that London has so much park area. I've admired the little parks in Sydney; I've strolled around Central Park in New York; and my mom used to take me to Kowloon Park in Hong Kong every Sunday when I was a child; but in no other mega-city have I seen as much park space as in London. I have a feeling that if there's one reason why the English don't want to get rid of their monarchy, it's because these beautiful green spaces that dot England's cities are constant reminders that they have much for which to thank their monarchy.
And if my guidebook is to be believed, of all of London's parks, Regent's Park tops the list. Though I haven't visited all of London's parks, I don't doubt that claim, because Regent's Park is exquisitely beautiful. In fact, when I was there, three local guys were walking down one of the promenades decorated with flower beds and fountains, and I overhead one say to another, "Whenever women walk down here they should be wearing long gowns." The other replied, "And all the chaps should be in white linen suits." If the park could still have that effect on locals who probably walk through several times a month, imagine the effect that the park had on me.
I watched the people sitting in the grass, sunning themselves, having picnics, reading books ... and I thought, "If I lived here, I would be happy just doing that every week." This was London, the world's second most expensive city and with Europe's most highly paid citizens, yet residents here knew that the best things in life remain free.
I wonder whether part of the reason why Londoners remain so calm, kind, and polite, despite being in one of the world's most exciting and most vibrant cities, is because they have these green quiet spaces to rest, stroll, and recollect themselves.
Since this was my first day in London, my spoiled Manilenyo feet were still adjusting to the amount of walking expected of Londoners. I had walked all the way from the Oxford Circus station to the middle part of Regent's Park, and after walking around and about the park, I had trouble finding the nearest Underground station, and ended up walking three stations farther than I needed to. At any rate, my aching feet and I finally found our way. I hadn't enough time nor stamina to explore the rest of the park (I skipped the zoo and the houses), and off I went to meet up with my husband for dinner.
The park is open from 5am until dusk all year round. To get there, take the Tube to any of the following stations: Regent's Park, Great Portland Street, or Baker Street.
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