With spring just around the corner, there’s no better way to welcome in the warm weather than by indulging in a picnic – or even a long stroll – in the park. Whether you live in London or you are just visiting the city for a few days, one of the nicest things about the capital is its beautiful green spaces.
Best of all, many of the city’s parks are conveniently located near hotels in London – so if you are travelling from elsewhere in the UK or abroad, there are are likely to be lots of open spaces and gardens to explore close to your accommodation. Read on to find out more about some of our top picks when it comes to London parks.
Hyde Park
Famous as the home of Speakers’ Corner, Hyde Park is visited by millions of locals and tourists every year – and if you are looking for a brilliant place to take a stroll and soak in some of London’s fascinating history, this is the park for you.
Hyde Park – which spans an area of 350 acres – was the host of the 1851 Great Exhibition and today is home to a number of landmarks, including the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain and the Serpentine Lake. Hyde Park borders nearby Kensington Gardens – in fact, the two are so closely joined that many people believe they are the same park!
The Regent’s Park
Whether you have a green thumb and are looking for a bit of inspiration or you just love flowers, Regent’s Park is the perfect London park in the spring.
This spectacular 395-acre space was designed by John Nash, and in the warmer months you will be able to see firsthand why it is famous for its roses. More than 400 different varieties of the fragrant flower are grown in the park – totalling over 30,000 blooms in all!
Regent’s Park is also home to the fabulous London Zoo and Primrose Hill, which your young ones may recognise from the story (and Disney film) 101 Dalmatians as the site of Pongo’s ‘twilight bark’.
St James’ Park
As the oldest of London’s eight Royal Parks, St James’ Park will be a familiar setting for anyone who keeps up with the royal family – or who watched the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge! Home to Horse Guards Parade and The Mall, this is the heart of the city’s most significant ceremonies.
These ceremonies include the annual Trooping The Colour, which is held to mark the Queen’s birthday and will take place on June 15th this year.
Greenwich Park
Home to the Prime Meridian Line and the Royal Observatory, Greenwich Park is a fascinating place to spend a day. Although this park dates back to 1427, it is best known for more recent history – it played a very significant role in the 2012 Olympic Games.
Whether you want to plan your visit to relive the glory of last summer or you are keen to dive deeper into the area’s past – the park is also home to the National Maritime Museum and Old Royal Naval College – you won’t want to miss the lovely views of St Paul’s Cathedral and the Thames.