LONDON PARKS
Brockwell Park, Herne Hill, SE24 +44 20 7733 4098
Brockwell Park’s open aired Lido attracts Londoners from all over during the summer months, though there’s much more to explore beyond the swimming pool. Tennis courts, a BMX track, children’s paddling pool and playground, one o’ clock club, and the miniature railway are just a few more things this large park contains. More highlights are the tea-room at Brockwell Hall and the Walled Garden. Home to the annual Lambeth Country Show.
Battersea Park, Battersea, SW11 +44 20 8871 7530
The park with something for everyone. For those who love water; a lake with boats for hire, ponds for feeding the ducks, and the Thames River to walk alongside. For the kids; a zoo and adventure playground. For art enthusiasts there’s the Pump House Gallery as well as temporary and permanent sculptures. For sportsmen, take your pick from cricket, cycling, tennis, football, athletics, hockey, boules, or croquet.
Victoria Park, Hackney, E9 +44 20 8985 1957
The flat green expanse of this East London park makes it the perfect venue for summer music festivals and concerts. Home to the annual Love Box festival, Victoria Park’s event list also includes Field Day, High Voltage, Underage, and L.E.D festivals. If you’d prefer to visit on a slightly less crowded day, be sure to visit the Western side of the park, where you’ll find the Old English flower garden, a deer enclosure, a lake with water fountains, and a children’s playground.
Richmond Park, Richmond, TW10 +44 20 8948 3209
With 2500 acres of open space, this is London’s largest Royal park, and you can reach it in only 30 minutes from central London. Famously known for its wild deer, this is the park where you can roam free over hills and through woods, enabling you to completely forget you are actually walking within a walled space. Visit the Isabella Plantation, an ornamental garden filled with exotic plants and flowers.
Hyde Park, Greater London, W2 +44 20 7298 2100
London’s most famous park. In combination with Kensington Gardens, which is part of the same space, this park occupies 625 acres of London’s inner city. Popular for its deckchairs, you’ll find an overwhelming amount of people sunbathing in this park in the summer months, and using Serpentine Lake for swimming and boating. The park is scattered with memorials, fountains and monuments, and even has an art gallery.
Wimbledon Common, Wimbledon, SW19 +44 20 8788 7655
Another wild, rugged space where you can escape from the city. A popular spot for horse-riding, the common is full of dirt paths and bridleways which allow you to wander aimlessly deep into the woods before emerging onto flat grassy plains. A little more out of the ordinary than the familiar route in your local park, it’s the perfect place for walking your dogs or your children.
Regent’s Park, Greater London, NW1 +44 20 7486 7905
Arguably the most beautiful park in London, Regent’s Park is unique for its large size in such close proximity to the city centre. It features a large lake dotted with willow trees, occupied by row boats and a multitude of birds, which is beautiful for walking beside in both summer and winter. You’ll also find an open-air theatre, bandstand, 100 acre sports field, and various flower gardens and fountains.
Primrose Hill, Primrose Hill Road, NW3 +44 20 7486 7905
On a sunny summer’s day, this is the park to head to. It’s small and fairly basic, but the hill boasts a view over London that makes up for anything else that might be missing. Close to Camden and the fantastic pubs and restaurants of Primrose Hill. The Queen’s Head pub on the corner allows you to take your jugs of Pimms into the park (10 pound deposit). Then pay a visit to the delicatessan/fromagerie a couple of doors down and you are set for truly idyllic picnic in the park.
Hampstead Heath, Hamsptead, NW3 +44 20 7482 7073
North London’s natural wonderland. The 800 acre heath is filled with ponds, fields, hills, and woodlands, making it a desirable spot for picnicking, swimming, cycling, or just strolling all year round. Kite-flying is very popular on Parliament Hill, the heath’s highest point, which has incredible panoramic views of the city.
Greenwich Park, Greenwich, SE10 +44 20 8858 2608
There are lots of good reasons to visit Greenwich; Greenwich market, The Royal Observatory, National Maritime Museum, and Trafalgar Tavern (for afternoon drinks by the river) are some, but throw in this beautiful park on top of everything else and you have one rather enticing location. Relax on the hill and enjoy the views of London, or if you want some activity, there’s a cricket pitch, tennis courts, and boating pond.
