London is a city of many parks, and they are among the best places in the city to take a stroll, enjoy a picnic, or relax with friends.
Here are some of the top-rated parks in London that you do not want to miss when visiting this great city.
Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park is the oldest enclosed park in London, and while it’s technically part of the green space that makes up London’s Royal Parks, it’s a bit of an outlier on the list. It is a place you must visit in Greenwich.
It has a regal history as the site of two palaces for England’s monarchs, but its most exciting story might be its designation as home to Greenwich Mean Time.
In 1675, England’s King Charles II commissioned a unique observatory to be built within the grounds of Greenwich Park so that someone could track time-based on astronomy.
This became known as Greenwich Mean Time and became widely used worldwide. The observatory was eventually destroyed in 1707 and rebuilt in Flamsteed House, which remains today, but you can still visit the Old Royal Observatory building in Greenwich Park.
This gorgeous space also makes a lovely spot for walking or picnicking (there are plenty of benches), and if you’re lucky, you’ll see some deer that have made their home there.
Suppose you don’t feel like braving the wild animals. In that case, there are several garden areas to enjoy yourself—particularly recommended are the stunning views from near the Painted Hall and from near Queen Mary’s Gardens.
Victoria Park
Victoria Park is a delightful green space in the center of east London that you won’t miss. A beautiful park runs alongside the park, with a beautiful pagoda that attracts 9 million people to visit here a year!
A beautiful walk around this park will give you plenty to see and do, and it’s perfect for an afternoon or evening stroll. For kids, there are some playgrounds where they can let off some steam.
The park is well maintained and clean. Plus, the park is friendly for wheelchair users, and it has something for everyone; even disabled people can enjoy themselves as much as possible.
There’s a cafe serving hot drinks and snacks all day. There are also several hundred outdoor deck chairs around which you can sit and admire the views.
Green Park
Green Park is one of London’s largest parks and one of the most popular as well. Covering over 40 acres, it is home to a wide range of activities, from jogging and cycling to picnicking and playing musical instruments.
Green Park is a lovely place for a walk when the weather is nice. Excellent for a picnic or calm stroll with a great number of park benches. You can spend quality time with your family here.
They don’t call it Green Park just because it is a very peaceful and soothing park. Acting as both a nature reserve and an oasis within central London, Green Park attracts many visitors each year who enjoy its lush greenery and picturesque scenery.
More interesting is that the park offers visitors some interesting events throughout the year.
Richmond Park
London is full of parks; one of the best parks is Richmond Park. With covering around 2500 acres (roughly 1,000 hectares) of land, it’s hard to believe you’re actually in the middle of a city. To get there, you can take the Tube to Richmond and then take a bus or walk.
The park is so large that there are no defined walking paths, making exploring and finding your way around easy. The large greenery area is a great place to walk, run, or bike, and it’s full of fun activities for the whole family.
Take part in archery, horseback riding, or falconry. And if you’re lucky enough to be there on a sunny day, pack a picnic and enjoy it under the trees at one of the many grassy spots. Animals from deer to red squirrels call this park home.
There are plenty of trails and several roads where you’ll find joggers and cyclists. If you’re traveling with kids, this might be the perfect place for them to let their energy out. There are plenty of spaces for games like tag and hide-and-seek.
The park also hosts summer concerts and events, making it a fun destination for all ages.
Holland Park
If you’re due for a vacation and you want to travel to London, you may want to consider visiting Holland Park. Being very close to Hyde Park, a great park to spend your day with your family and loved ones in the middle of London.
This park can be found in the Kensington district of London. It isn’t like other parks in the city; this one offers visitors a wide range of amenities, including a visitor center, children’s play areas, and more. Besides, there are cafes available for visitors.
It is a wonderful park with really nice scenery and several fascinating attractions. Dutch and Japanese gardens are some of the attractions you must visit in Holland Park.
If you plan to visit this park soon, you will find that it has been designed with the utmost care and attention to detail.
Hyde Park
You can’t go to London without going to Hyde Park. It’s a big and beautiful park, with a lake and The Serpentine running through it.
There is no wrong time of year to visit—the trees are lovely and green in the spring, the flowers bloom in the summer, and the leaves turn red and orange in the fall. It doesn’t matter when or what season you visit; this park will amaze you.
There are many things to do here, too. You can have a lovely walk around the serpentine, with plenty of benches and spots to sit. The lake has many ducks, swans, geese, and other birds. It’s a great place to bring young children.
Besides, several statues and monuments are scattered throughout the park, which is great to discover.
Whatever you decide to do, don’t forget to bring a camera—you won’t regret it when you look back at your photos.
Bushy Park
Bushy Park is a large, lovely park in northwest London. It’s the oldest of the city’s eight Royal Parks and one of the largest green spaces in London.
You can do many different activities there, including walking, cycling, jogging and horseback riding.
It’s also a popular place for bird watchers and photographers. Bushy Park has a few dog-friendly areas for you to let your furry friend run around and get some exercise.
If you’re looking for a place to relax or have fun outdoors, you might want to check out Bushy Park. Whether you are hitting the trails or sinking into a picnic blanket beneath the shade of a tree, Bushy Park will not disappoint.
The park is home to a wide range of wildlife and plants. There are red and fallow deer, a wealth of different bird species, and many different types of trees.
Plus, there are also plenty of spots to stop and rest along the way.
Battersea Park
Battersea Park is a beautiful place to visit and wander around. You can take your time and meander through the little paths or hop on the train that stops outside the park’s main entrance and zip to other parts of the city.
The park has a quaint atmosphere, with a mix of open space and small wooded areas that offer just enough privacy for quiet conversation.
There are plenty of places where you can sit down and relax if you need a break from the bustle of city life.
The park is also home to an assortment of fabulous attractions, including Queen Elizabeth’s rose garden, an art gallery, beautiful Japanese gardens, and The London Peace Pagoda.
There are many great things to do at this park.
The Regents Park
With so many beautiful parks in London, it can be hard to narrow it down to just one, but Regents Park is undoubtedly a must-see for any visitor.
This gorgeous space is home to many species of birds and other wildlife, as well as an abundance of trees—hundreds of which are over 100 years old.
The park hosts several fun events throughout the year, including the famous and fun Open Air Theatre season that brings Shakespearean shows to life and even has a few musical performances.
If you’re looking for something a little more active than a play or concert, there’s plenty of space to enjoy walking or running through the lovely grounds.
The Regents Park is especially significant because it offers something for every type of park-goer; whether you want to sit back and relax with friends or do something active with your family, this lovely park has something for everyone.
St James’s Park
St. James’s Park, located in London’s downtown area, is a popular tourist destination for many reasons. The Park has been around since the 16th century, when King Henry VIII used it as a hunting ground.
It is a great place to visit year-round but is incredibly wonderful during the summer because it has an outdoor skating rink where you can skate under the stars and enjoy a scenic view of the London Eye and Buckingham Palace.
Today, the park welcomes visitors of all ages and skill levels who can enjoy various activities, including bird watching and much more.
Lovely park that comes alive in the spring and summer months, a definite must-go place for some relaxing walks.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
The Royal Botanic Gardens serve as a sanctuary for London residents and visitors alike, providing a place to relax and enjoy nature wherever you are in the city.
The gardens are home to more than 30,000 plants from all around the world. The Palm House is a glasshouse that has been standing since the 1800s and features beautiful palm trees, tropical plants, and a striking glass ceiling.
The Temperate House is another glasshouse built in 1847 and features plants from North America, Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Extending beyond the gardens themselves is Kew Green—a large park that includes an old-fashioned playground for children to enjoy.
On warm summer days, plenty of people bring their lunch, sit on one of the many benches, and take in the scenery while eating. You can also see several ducks swimming in the pond or having a bath.
Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath is one of London’s best-loved green spaces, with 320 hectares (790 acres).
Much of this park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, thanks to its heathland habitats. Hampstead Heath is a paradise for bird watchers; over 200 species have been spotted here, including the elusive nightingale and willow warbler.
It’s also home to an array of insect life, from butterflies to dragonflies, including the red-eyed damselfly.
The area is full of interesting places to visit, so exploring it is definitely worthwhile.
Kensington Gardens
Kensington Gardens, one of the Royal Parks of London, is an excellent place to go for a stroll, a picnic, or get away from the city.
This park is not only beautiful, with plenty of greenery and a pond lined with swans, but it has a history that goes back centuries.
They’re also home to some fascinating history: the gardens were designed by famed architect and gardener Capability Brown, who King George III handpicked to redesign the land and build the Serpentine Lake.
Kensington Gardens are free to all visitors and are open year-round.
London has plenty of beautiful parks and green spaces to explore. A walk through these parks is perfect for a sunny afternoon or an evening after work.
Plenty of things keep you busy at each park, with areas for sports and games, places to relax and unwind, and sights that are sure to amaze you.
If you’re looking for some inspiration on where to go next weekend, have a visit to some of these top-rated parks in London that you do not want to miss.
