Royal Parks Events 2012

London will be filled with celebrations and visitors next summer and the eyes of the world will be on the capital. The Royal Parks’ commitment to ensuring London’s success at the Games does not just extend to the sporting programme – where 11 Olympic and Paralympic events will take place across six parks. The Royal Parks is aiming to reflect and enrich the experience of the Games with initiatives which each give a distinctive complement to the Olympic and Paralympic programme.

We would like to provide you with information regarding two proposals for events in Kensington Gardens during the London 2012 Games.  The details are as follows and a map showing the event footprints and locations is attached:

Africa House: At every Olympic Games the national “houses” are the focus for the celebrations away from the sport. Games visitors, officials and athletes alike will be touring the national houses to share in the party atmosphere of the world’s greatest show. Each house will seek to be the best and we are delighted to say that the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) has chosen the lawn to the east of the Albert Memorial, in Kensington Gardens, as the ideal location for their pavilion.

Africa House will showcase African culture during the London 2012 Games. Visitors from around the world, especially families, will have the opportunity to explore the many sides of African culture and to learn about its sporting success and aspirations. This is the first time that the African nations have come together to host a national house and we are expecting it to be an inspiring and high profile event with many African medal winners.

It will be open to the public between 23 July and 12 August 2012 from 9am to 10.30pm. The majority of the site will be free to access and outdoor, however one indoor space will be reserved for officials and athletes. All of these details are subject to planning and licensing consent.

The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe: Some of you will remember that in 2009 we hosted a hugely successful production of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, on Buck Hill. The producers of that show are returning to Kensington Gardens in 2012 with a new family production of the C S Lewis classic, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

Directed by acclaimed West End director Rupert Goold, the show will be performed in a bespoke theatre tent holding an audience of up to 1,650 and will feature amazing wrap-around scenery as well as a top quality cast. The show will be located to the south of Kensington Palace, to the east of the Dial Walk and “golden gates”.  Access along Dial Walk will be maintained.

The event will be setting up in April 2012 and will be open from May to September. There will be a maximum of nine performances each week.

Planning permission will be sought for these events and The Royal Parks will work closely with the organisers to ensure that they have a minimal impact on the park and on park users. The revenue raised will go straight back into maintaining the eight Royal Parks for everyone to enjoy.

We are also working closely with the organisers of other events in the immediate vicinity and with authorities across London, to ensure that our events go smoothly and that planning is joined up.

If you would like any further information or if you would like to provide feedback about either of these events then please email: events@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk. A full planning application for each event will be submitted in 2011 and there will be a further opportunity to provide feedback.

Please click here for Royal Parks Link.