REGENT'S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE ULTIMATE GUIDE
Open: Mon - Sat: 11:00AM to 5:00PM
Time Needed: 2,5 hours
Price: £25
It is said that London is best seen during the summer months when the days are longer, the sun is shining…and the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is open for business.
With the sounds of birds chirping nearby, the wind brushing at your face and tall trees towering above you, watching a theatre performance outdoors in The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is an unforgettable experience that you will remember for a lifetime.
Boasting 1,250 seats and perched at the southern tip of The Regent’s Park, this award-winning open-air theatre has become a London landmark since it was first constructed in 1932. Originally, the theatre was designed for Shakespearean performances and plays, but over the years the venue has expanded its productions to include musicals, acoustic gigs, film screenings, comedy shows, children’s theatre performances, and much, much more.
Some of the biggest and most popular shows performed at the venue include Romeo and Juliet, Jesus Christ Superstar, Henry V, The Crucible, The Taming Of The Shrew and Into The Woods, and some of the many famous actors and actresses who once performed at the theatre include Benedict Cumberbatch, John Malkovich, Martha Wainwright, and Judi Dench; (just to name a few).
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre Highlights
Whether you’re hoping to be blown away by a classic Shakespearean performance, or even have something fun and unique to do with your children during a warm summer’s day, there’s bound to be some type of show at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre that will interest you.
The venue hosts a variety of theatre performances, music concerts and events throughout the summer which are constantly changing and evolving, so be sure to check the “What’s On” section of their official website if you’re visiting London during the summer months.
Besides sitting under the stars (during evening performances) or sun (during matinée performances) visitors can also dine in style at some of the many dining and drinking areas surrounding the venue (one being the longest bar in London’s West End!), and even have a meal on the venue’s picnic lawn amongst the stunning Regent’s Park landscapes.
Special Tips
If you're worried about watching a performance in the rain or in cold weather, choose a matinée performance and look at the weather forecast before you book your tickets. However, be aware that London's weather can be unpredictable and can change at any given moment.
Don't worry about choosing a seat with a bad view, as even seats in the back row provide fantastic views of the stage thanks to the seat angles and venue layout.
To be on the safe side, you may want to bring a hat and sun cream (for matinée performances) and even a raincoat or towel to dry your seat in case it rains.
Getting There
Address: Inner Cir, Westminster, London NW1 4NU, United Kingdom (See map).
By Tube: If you are travelling by tube, the nearest stations are Baker Street (12 minutes walk), Great Portland Street (15 minutes walk) or Regent's Park (15 minutes walk).
By Train: If you are travelling by train, the nearest station is Marylebone, which is a 15 minute walk away.
By Bus: If you are travelling by bus, you can get to Regent's Park via routes 2, 13, 18, 27, 30, 30, 74, 82, 82, 113, 139, 189, 274, 453 and C2.
By Car: If you are travelling by car, paid parking is available at The Regent's Park daily from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm. Parking costs £2.40 per hour (Monday to Saturday) or £1.40 per hour on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Monday to Saturday you can only park your car for a maximum of four hours in designated parking spaces.
All visitors must enter the theatre via the Box Office in Queen Mary's Garden, and exit via the Theatre Exit Gate onto the Inner Circle in Regent's Park.Visiting Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
Be sure to bring a raincoat with you as the entire auditorium is uncovered. In respect to other theatregoers, you will not be allowed to use an umbrella during the performance.
Be aware that a performance may need to be stopped and re-started due to bad weather, or may be cancelled altogether. If a show is cancelled because of the weather, it will be announced at the venue; however, cancellations rarely happen as the weather can change at any given moment. If there is a weather-related cancellation, there is more information on policies for exchanging tickets on the official website.
The use of cameras, mobile phones and recording equipment is strictly prohibited, so be sure to switch off your devices before the performance begins (or avoid bringing them altogether). Any visitor may have to undergo a security check before entering the theatre, and avoid bringing any large bags with you as there are no cloakroom facilities available.
Children under the ages of four will not be allowed into the theatre or theatre grounds, and there may be age restrictions for some productions.
For some performances, latecomers will not be allowed to enter the theatre until the interval, so try to arrive as early as possible. There is a smoking area located outside the Theatre Exit Gate, but please note that if you need to leave the auditorium, you will not be allowed back in during the show.
Food service usually ends 15 minutes prior to the performance, and drinks will stop being served five minutes before each performance as well; (although the bar will remain open after the majority of evening performances).
All visitors are allowed to bring their own picnic to eat on the picnic area or in Queen Mary’s Gardens, but no food will be allowed inside the theatre or onto the premises. No eating is allowed during the performance, however visitors will be allowed to bring drink purchased from the bar into the auditorium.
When to Visit
Tickets for performances can cost anywhere from £25 to £65 depending on which performance or seat you choose. Ticket costs and performance times vary from year to year, so be sure to check out the official website for more information.
There are discounted tickets available for anyone children, seniors, and students, as well as anyone between the ages of 18 and 25 years old.
The theatre gates always open 90 minutes before every evening performance, and 60 minutes before every matinée performance.
The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Box Office is open from:
- 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (on performance days)
- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Saturday (on days without performances)
The Box Office is closed on Sundays, however if there is a Sunday performance and/or event it will open one hour before the gate opening time.
