Things you didn't know about...Regent's Park

What do you mean there's no green in London ...?
Regent's Park (or The Regent's Park, as it's technically known) covers an area of 410 acres (equivalent to 205 football pitches) and is home to 30,000 roses of 400 different varieties. It has an open-air theatre, the famous London Zoo and 100 acres of sporting fields.

Democratic decision
The land on which Regent's Park sits has belonged to the Crown for many centuries. It was opened to the public in 1835.

Dumping ground
Regent's Park did not escape the bombs of World War II. Rubble from buildings destroyed in the Blitz was dumped on the park's lawns.

US tenants
Winfield House is a mansion set in 12 acres of grounds in Regent's Park and is the official residence of the US Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Olympic aspirations
Regent's Park was pencilled in to host the baseball and softball events for the 2012 Olympics, until they were dropped from the Olympic programme. Regent's Park will still play its part in the sporting event, however, providing the setting for the finish of the road cycling events.

A zoo of firsts
London Zoo in Regent's Park was the first "scientific" zoo, and was also the first to boast a reptile house, insect house, aquarium and children's zoo.

Pick a card, any card...
Not far from the edge of Regent's Park lies the headquarters of the Magic Circle, the prestigious international society for magicians and illusionists. The Society's motto is Indocilis Privata Loqui, which means "not apt to disclose secrets"—anyone who does can expect to be kicked out!

The naked ape
For four days in 2005, Regent's Park's London Zoo displayed naked human beings in its enclosures. They preserved their modesty by using strategically placed fig leaves. The event aimed to "demonstrate the basic nature of man as animal".

Stage to the stars
Regent's Park has formed the backdrop to many famous films. Harry Potter first discovered his unusual powers in London Zoo, and Bridget Jones ran into the arms of Mark Darcy in nearby Primrose Hill. Brief Encounter, About a Boy, Spy Game, An American Werewolf in London and Withnail and I also all feature areas in and around Regent's Park.