Strange Rules You Should Know About London’s Royal Parks

On the Changing of the Guard and Westminster Tour, you’ll wander through two of London’s Royal Parks, including Green Park and St James’s Park. Therefore, it might be handy to know the rules that every Royal Park adheres to, including St James’s Park and Green Park in London, United Kingdom.

After asking yourself, “where is Green Park in London?” you should be assessing how to behave in St James’s Park in London, UK. None of the rules are so obscure that you have to worry too much about breaking the law, but these rules are still handy to know to remain on the safe side. Read on to discover what’s on in St James’s Park in London, as well as what’s allowed in Green Park and all the other Royal Parks.

Picking Up After Your Dog(s) isn’t Just Polite

Any responsible dog owner is sure to pick up after their dog; however, this is more than just a courtesy in London’s Royal Parks. In fact, the Royal Parks website states, “Dog fouling alters the nutrient levels of soils and can affect the survival of rare flora and fauna.” Therefore, picking up after your dog is a case of preserving the beautiful wildlife that the park has to offer. Similarly, you’ll be fined £60 if you’re caught not cleaning up after your pup, so it’s worth bringing a handful of bags with you.

There are Permitted Group Sizes in Each Park

A park is a place that’s free of restrictions, right? Wrong. In fact, each Royal Park has a different maximum group size; these figures are:

• Green Park – 20
• St James’s Park – 60
• Hyde Park – 40
• Bushy Park – 20
• Richmond Park – 40
• Regent’s Park – 40
• Kensington Gardens – 30
• Greenwich Park – 25

Releasing Balloons isn’t Allowed

This is perhaps one of the most unusual rules on the list, but it isn’t permitted to release balloons in any of the Royal Parks. This is because balloons can get caught in shrubs and trees, which can inhibit their growth and also act as a hazard to wildlife. For instance, some animals are attracted to bright colours, meaning they may consume deflated balloons, which can result in injury, and even death. Therefore, if you’re carrying a balloon through any of the Royal Parks, make sure you have a firm grip!

Releasing Wildlife isn’t Tolerated

As with balloons, you’re also not allowed to release wildlife in any of the Royal Parks. This tradition is sometimes carried out to mark an occasion, such as the release of doves after a wedding. Despite this, releasing animals into the wild is deemed a cruel offence under the 1969 Abandonment of Animals Act.

Placards Aren’t Permitted

Peaceful protests, demonstrations, rallies, and marches are allowed in Royal Parks, and each has accommodated many over the years. When these events are applied for in advance, the permission for them to take place is almost always granted. Despite this, placards and banners aren’t supposed to be displayed in the park during such events.

Only “Genuinely” Important Figures Can Have a Memorial Statue

The installation of additional memorials is unlikely to take place in any of the Royal Parks, aside from extremely exceptional circumstances. Anyone considered for a memorial would have to be of (inter)national importance, stand the test of time, and have a direct connection with the park.

Drones Aren’t Allowed

In order to avoid the startling of animals and the discomfort of visitors, “Unmanned Aerial Systems” aren’t permitted to roam the park. This rule applies to all Royal Parks, aside from the “Flying Field” in Richmond Park, wherein the recreational use of drones is deemed acceptable.

Religious Activity is Banned

As a rule of thumb, no religious activity is allowed in London’s Royal Parks; however, exceptions are made for annual acts of remembrance. This is to avoid any controversy that may be stirred via religious activity, as differing beliefs between visitors could lead to conflict. Despite this, cultural events that don’t contain religious activity are allowed when the approval process is correctly followed.

The Scattering of Ashes is Forbidden

The Royal Parks are special places not just for residents of London but also people across the globe. It’s for this reason that individuals will often ask whether their relatives’ ashes can be scattered in the parks after their death. Though it may seem a little harsh, these people are met with a no, as the ash can be detrimental to the soil. This is because ashes contain minerals that aren’t soil-friendly, affecting the plants and the wildlife that relies on them for shelter and food. Therefore, the scattering of ashes is banned for the good of the park and all that inhabit it.

Visit London’s Royal Parks on a Changing of the Guard and Westminster Tour

Whether you’re joining us from London’s Green Park station or St James’s Park tube station in London, we’re here to lead you through London’s Royal Parks and the rest of the city of Westminster. Learn more about our private tours or book in for one of our standard tours here.