It's that time of year again
And everyone seems to love it.
The lights, the mood. The ice skating, the food.
All the amenities of a small, festive town.
But it's not a town
Every autumn I see them coming on my Hyde Park cycle commute.
The hoarding, temporary structures and ground cover steamroll the life out of the park, over-consolidating and smothering the soil, fauna and flora underneath.
Two plus months of wonder later, they pack it up. And thus begins the 3-month process of cultivating, returfing and irrigating to resuscitate the park — just to repeat the cycle of destruction again in a couple of months.
Does the King know?
Hyde Park is one of the Royal Parks, managed by The Royal Parks, a charity that “cares” for the most famous collection of urban parks in the world.
If permanent, the scale of development Winter Wonderland undertakes would be considered “major development” in accordance with planning legislation. However, due to its “temporary” status, it circumnavigates such legislation.
But at what cost?
The lack of scrutiny of their environmental impact is astonishing.
King Charles is known for his stance on environmental issues
Although the monarchy doesn’t directly control the parks anymore, the King remains the patron of the charity.
An advocate for environmental protection, his campaigns are many. So why does he back such destruction time and time again in his parks?
At the bottom of Winter Wonderland’s website, the King can find their sustainability statement.
I wonder if he knows they’re using biodiesel, but bulldozing nature? I wonder if he knows they’re using reusable cups, but creating light and noise pollution at scale?
I wonder if he knows?
Let’s take Winter Wonderland back to its roots
The King has the power. So I’m pitching to the palace.
Strip it back to the essentials. Think Braunschweig, Germany, circa 1505. Not about oversized rollercoasters or imported glitter — it was about communities. Local businesses, local people, in the heart of the city.
Here’s a better plan:
- Spread the cheer across the city. Drive footfall to the high streets by partnering with London’s Business Improvement Districts to create a Winter Wonderland trail.
- Use existing infrastructure and spaces. Showcase each borough’s character — think community-driven pop-ups instead of prefab sprawl.
- Make it truly local. Engage Londoners to shape their own festive experience.
It’s time to reimagine, redistribute, and reclaim the magic.
What would the King say to that?
