This post is part of our Best Parks for Running in London series – put together by our dedicated running clinic team.
A gem at the heart of Regent’s Park, Primrose Hill is a Grade II listed public park, offering one of the most picturesque running routes in London.
Named for the 64 metre hill in the centre of the park, it is the second highest natural point in the Borough of Camden. At the top of the hill, you’ll find one of six protected viewpoints of London, so you can cap off your hill run with spectacular views across the city.
A short distance from Swiss Cottage and Chalk Farm tube station, and connecting to London Zoo and Regent’s Park, Primrose Hill is both well connected and well maintained.
Here, our running clinic team will provide you with all the information you need to plan your Primrose Hill run.
Getting to Primrose Hill
Given its proximity to Regents Park and London Zoo, Primrose Hill is unsurprisingly very well connected by public transport. If travelling by tube, your best option is to take the Northern Line to Chalk Farm station. From there, the park is just a 7 minute walk away. If the Jubilee line is more convenient for you, you can take it to Swiss Cottage which is a 19 minute walk away. St Johns Wood which is also on the Jubilee line is also around a 10-12 min walk to Primrose hill.
If you’re travelling by bus, there are a number of routes serving the park. The nearest bus stop is Wells Rise, which is a 3 minute walk away, while The Roundhouse is a 16 minute walk. There are a number of routes you can take, including 274, N5, N28, 31, N31, 168 and 393.
There are a number of London landmarks near the park, ZSL London Zoo is a 2 minute walk away, Camden Market is 9 minutes away and Regent’s Park just 5 minutes.
If you are travelling by Santander bike you will be pleased to know that the area has many docking stations making it very easy and convenient to cycle to the exact section of the park you need.
Prince Albert Road which is located at the south side of the park is quite a busy road which sits between Primrose Hill and Regent’s Park and as such provides a good opportunity to hail a London cab if required.
Why Primrose Hill is a good choice for runners
Primrose Hill is a fantastic choice for advanced runners looking for a challenge. The route itself is fairly short, 1.9km, however the steep gradient of the hill makes it ideal for runners looking to get some altitude into their training!
If you want to combine the Primrose Hill run with a longer, flatter run you can take advantage of one of the routes around Regent’s Park. There’s also an outdoor gym if you’re looking to add some bodyweight training alongside your run. Regents Park outer circle is 4.5km in length approximately making for a good 5-6km run if you combine the two together.
The hill within Primrose Hill is one of the few challenging hills available in Central London making it a popular spot. Although from a distance the hill does not look that steep it is surprisingly hard work but the reward at the top is some of the best views of London available and well worth the effort.
Primrose Hill village is also the perfect pre/post run meeting spot, scattered with artisan cafes and restaurants all located a few mins walk from the park itself.
The park provides toilet facilities at the bottom southside all of which are kept to a clean and hygienic standard by the park patrol.
Runs in Primrose Hill
Although the distance is relatively short, the 1.9km Primrose Hill running route is sure to provide a challenge for seasoned runners. It’s also great if you’re looking for a location for hill sprinting.
As well as the runners high you’d expect, you’ll also be rewarded by unrivalled views across London. You can also complete laps of the park to make up your desired distance with 2.5 laps coming just shy of 5km.
Running in Primrose Hill at night
If you’re opting for a night time hill run, Primrose Hill offers a well lit route. The path you’ll follow is lined with lamps throughout and there aren’t any secluded spots to worry about. The majority of the route is very much out in the open.
If you like a late night weekend run, please be aware there is currently a 10pm curfew on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Primrose Hill opening times
Primrose Hill is usually open 24 hours year round, apart from November 5th (Bonfire Night) and December 31st (New Years Eve).
There is currently a 10pm curfew in place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Does Primrose Hill have an organised Parkrun?
Primrose Hill does not have an organised Parkrun, due to the hilly nature of the route being fairly challenging. However, there are some fantastic routes incorporating Primrose Hill as part of a larger Regent’s Park run.
