Where and When We Meet

If you are new to our meetings please read these Meetings Guidelines and the Etiquette notes given elsewhere on this website, particularly the use of the Monkey Gate, the gate nearest to the zoo, on the north of the park, to enter and leave the park.

A reminder: We have never cancelled a meeting due to cloudy weather. If during our meetings there is cloud-cover and/or rain Irregulars congregate in the cafe to eat, drink and chat about astro and other matters. On rare occasions we will cancel meetings if we receive a Weather Warning issued by the Met Office for the evening of our planned meeting, as happened before our 2022 November meeting.

Where

Our monthly meetings take place at the Hub in Regent’s Park from 18:30 to 22:30. As these times are after when the Park is closed to the public, access and exit is controlled via a single gate, the ‘Monkey Gate’.

The Monkey Gate is situated on the Outer Circle, opposite the Primrose Hill Bridge and to the right of the ZSL Institute of Zoology, Wellcome Building, at the northern edge of the park. The postcode is NW8 7LS. and the What3Words co-ordinate is chase.pulse.mouse. (The OS co-ordinates are TQ 27794 83397)

A Baker Street Irregular Astronomers illuminated sign will be on the gate.

On entering through the gate, follow the signposted path straight in front of you (the middle one of three paths) for 200 metres to reach The Hub. You will see it on an elevated position to the left of the path. A gentle hard surfaced incline, accessible by wheelchair, will bring you to the Hub terrace and cafe.

When walking from the gate in the dark we recommend exercising just as much caution as usual when walking through London streets at night. If you are apprehensive and alone, by prior request, another Irregular can be posted at the gate to accompany you to the Hub.

When you arrive, introduce yourself to Lesley. She is one of the Unofficial Force (committee members), who will be happy to greet you and answer any questions you have. Other UF members, Eric, Nicholas, Preeti and Matthew can also assist.

You must leave the park, by the end of the meeting at 22:30, again only through the Monkey Gate.

Travelling by Bus:

The nearest stops, Wells Rise (Stop C) and Primrose Hill (Stop H), are served by the 274 – click here for route information.  The 274 continues to collect from Wells Rise and Primrose Hill for at least a further hour after the end of the meeting.

Travelling by Road:

Parking by the Monkey Gate on the Outer Circle is free after 18:30. You cannot enter the park by car, motorcycle or scooter.

Travelling by Tube:

St Johns Wood and Camden Town tube stations are roughly equidistant from the gate at about 20 minutes on foot. Baker Street tube is a little further away, about 30 minutes.

Travelling by bike:

There are parking stands for personal bikes in the Park at The Hub entrance. Please do not cycle within the park. If you wish to use TfL hire bikes, there is a docking station just outside London Zoo on the Outer Circle.Our main base is The Hub terrace in Regent's Park, London https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/regents-park-primrose-hill/hub

Enter the park through the Monkey Gate at the north of the park. It is the gate closest to London Zoo, the red pin in the image below. Take the centre of three paths to walk 100m to the elevated terrace of the Hub. It is accessible by wheelchair users. If it is your visit make yourself known and you will be welcomed by one of the organisers.

If, in the dark, you are hesitant in entering the park alone please let an organiser know and one will come to the gate to accompany you to the Hub.

When

We meet on monthly basis at the Hub and for our annual solar picnic SUNday we meet on a SUNday in June on Hanover Green, Regents Park. In the summer we may meet on Primrose Hill. Details of this venue will be provided when summer dates have been decided.

Before leaving for any meeting be sure of where it will be held.

At the Hub in Regent's Park we meet anytime from 18:30. We must leave by 22:30, exiting the park only through the Monkey Gate.

Other Matters

All our meetings are free to attend. Unlike other astronomical societies we did not charge an annual membership fee. However we do face monthly charges for renting the Hub terrace from the Royal Parks and an annual Public Liability Insurance premium and website maintenance costs so the BSIA organisers do ask for a small donation if you can spare something. All monies donated go towards ensuring the Irregulars are able to meet in the future. See below for the form to donate.