16 of the Best Parks in London

Posted 26/10/2023 | 26th October2023

This post may contain affiliate links to things like tourshotelsand products that I love. These links help me earn a small commission on all qualifying purchases at no additional charge to you. Thank you!

It may come as a massive surprise to manybut London is an extremely green city. As someone who grew up a short drive from the magnificent Peak Districtthe prospect of grey tower blocks and busy streets terrified me. Howeverthere are so many beautiful parks to be enjoyed in the capitaltransporting you from chaos to tranquillity.

Sofrom the deep woodlands of Richmond Park to the Hipster London Fieldshere’s your complete guide to the best parks in London.

Table of Contents

Toggle

Victoria Park

As an East Londonerthis review may be slightly biased. HoweverVictoria Park is one of London’s best and most beautiful parks. It is the largest park in the areacovering a whopping 213 acres. The park offers expansive manicured lawns to relax and enjoy a picnic. Additionallythere are multiple playgrounds for those visiting with little ones.

Victoria Park is a regular hangout spot for the city’s best rollerbladers and skateboarderswhich are simply incredible to watch. Howevermy favourite part of the park is the large boating lake where you can rent a Pedalo or Rowing boat – a great alternative way to explore. Butif you’re looking for something a little more relaxedhead to the Pavillion café to grab a coffeethe perfect people-watching spot.

Be sure to visit this East London hotspot on a sunny Sunday afternoonwhere visitors are treated to an excellent food market. Vendors join from across the cityproviding culinary delights from around the world. In additionVictoria Park regularly hosts gigsmaking it a firm favourite with young people from across London.

London Fields

Just up the canal is another East London gem – London Fields. There is a thriving community hereso plenty of people will be working outenjoying picnics and walking their dogs in the area. There are also table tennis tables and a small children’s playgroundso this park is very popular with the local families. Check out the fabulous London Fields Lidomy favourite place to swim in the city. The water is warmand the venue is very private.

At the north end of the park is Broadway marketlined with trendy coffee shops and plenty of places to grab a bite to eat. If you fancy something a little strongerthe Dove and the Cat and Mutton are popular pubs. If you visit on a Sundaythe Columbia Road flower market is just a twenty-minute walk away. A beautiful way to spend a morning and grab yourself a bunch of bargain blooms.

Hampstead Heath

Hampstead Heath covers a spectacular 320 acres and is popular with people from every corner of the capital. Whenever I’m at Hampstead HeathI feel as though I’ve been transported from the chaos of London and ventured deep into the countryside. Three bathing pondssprawling meadowssports areas and endless grassland.

Expect to see Londoners in their hundreds soaking in the sunshine and enjoying a picnic on a weekend. My favourite thing about the parkhoweverhas to be the spectacular view of the city of London from Parliament Hill.

Richmond Park – London’s Largest Royal Park

Southwest London’s Richmond Park is far more than a park. Instead2500 acres of woodland create the largest Royal Park in the city and one of the most visited green spaces in the country. The rolling hills and dense trees take you from the city to a countryside delight.

Aside from the miles of green space to walkrun and cyclethe Isabella plantation sits at the heart of the park. These gardens are an explosion of colour and ideal for those looking for a little more polished spot to relax.

People travel from far and wide to visit some of London’s most loved residentsthe Richmond Park deers. Over 600 wild deer call Richmond Park their homewhich is a true sight to behold. Visitors should stay at least 50 meters from the majestic beastswhich can be particularly fierce during the summer months when protecting their offspring.

Richmond itself is a picturesque village packed with plenty of pubs and restaurants. I would thoroughly recommend making the most of your day and enjoying a spot of dinner after you tire of stomping around the parks.

Battersea Park

Of courseBattersea is best known for its world-famous cats and dogs homebutfor some crazy reasonBattersea Park is often overlooked when discussing the best parks in London.

There is a maze of trails around the parkwhich makes it extremely popular with cyclistsrunners and walkers. But the Buddhist London Peace Pagoda forms a great focal point of the parkwith beautiful views of the river Thames. AdditionallyBattersea Park also has its own Art GalleryPump House Gallerysituated inside an incredibly beautiful Victorian water tower. As if that wasn’t enoughBattersea Park has its very own onsite zoo!

Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens

Of courseno guide to the best parks in London would be complete without mentioning Hyde Park. Nestled between Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palacethe park is regularly frequented by a vibrant mix of tourists and locals.

You will find a trip to Hyde Park firmly at the top of almost all London itinerariesand for a good reason. Hyde Park is a great place to start the day for those wanting to explore the big smokeideally located to access the city’s best.

The park wraps around the central focal point: the stunning Serpentine Lake. This Lake is one of the most popular swimming spots in the city and a great way to blow off the cobwebs. Howeverif open water swimming sounds a little too strenuous for yourent one of the deckchairs by the Princess Diana monument and spend the afternoon watching the world go by.

Be sure to check the calendar before attending. Hyde Park is home to many annual festivalsincluding the famous Winter Wonderland.

Holland Park

Just a 15-minute walk from Hyde Park sits its smaller and slightly more humble counterpartHolland Park. The park is packed with dense woodlandand Peacocks roam freely around the parkadding to the area’s beauty. In additionthe Kyoto Garden and the Fukushima Garden provide a Japanese oasis in the heart of Kensington.

You will rarely find a slice of serenity this deep into central Londonbut Holland Park magically manages to achieve this. Soif you’re looking for the perfect picnic spotbe sure to head to Holland Park.

Clapham Common

Clapham is a trendy area for young professionals in London. It has ample open space with plenty of walking and running trailsthree huge pondsand London’s largest bandstand. There are plenty of coffee shops and quirky pubs nearbybe sure to check out The Bread and Roses and the Bobbin. Clapham is a little out of the way for touristsso expect to be surrounded by the local residents relaxingexercisingand generally enjoying this beautiful slice of greenery.

Looking for some more inspiration? Check out my bumper guide of 102 amazing things to do in London!

Brockwell Park

Just half an hour’s walk from Clapham Common is Brockwell Park. Brockwell Park provides a much-needed area of green space just outside of Brixton. Herethere is a walled garden and a children’s play areaso the park is hugely popular with families. Howevermy favourite part of this area is the fabulous Brockwell Lido. Open until 9 pm on weekdaysproviding the perfect spot for an evening dip.

Greenwich Park – South East London’s Best Green Space

Another one of my favourites! Despite essentially being a very large hillGreenwich Park is one the best parks in London.

The steep incline offers spectacular views of Canary Wharf and is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a coffee. Aside from the expansive lawnsGreenwich Park is home to tennis courtspondsa rose gardenand extensive running routes. The Royal Observatory forms the focal point at the top of the hillfamously the home of Greenwich Mean Time. Greenwich itself is a beautiful areapacked with lovely cafesshops and architecture.

Finsbury Park

Finsbury Park is rarely frequented by touristsprimarily due to the fact that it is tucked away in north Londonway from the usual tourist path. Howeverit is a lovely place to soak up some rays on a sunny day. There are football pitchesa skate park and a bowling green all within the grounds. As well as expansive lawns and many walking and running routes. The area is livelywith plenty of places to grab a coffee or enjoy something to eat.

Green Park

Nestled just behind Buckingham PalaceGreen Park is a beautiful open space in the heart of London. Considering its proximity to royaltyGreen Park is relatively modest compared to some other parks across the capital. There aren’t any lakes or sports pitches here – but it’s a great spot to escape the hustle and bustle in such a central location.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – London’s Best New Park

2012 was an incredible year for Londonwhere it was granted the privilege of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The city saw massive regenerationbut this was especially prevalent in east London. The Olympic Park is now best known for being the home of West Ham United men’s football team. But the surrounding park is stunning. There are heaps of different walkingrunning and cycling trails. If you fancy visiting this park as part of a longer walkyou can easily follow the canals down to Greenwich. This park is most recognisable by the ArcelorMittal Orbit sculptureone of the many art installations now in this area.

If you’re into shoppinglook no further than the Westfield shopping mall at Stratford. The shopping centre is packed with high street favourites and many popular restaurants.

Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens requires slightly more planning than many of the other parks listedas it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in London. AmazinglyKew Gardens is a UNESCO world heritage site and boasts over 50,000 living plants. During the peak months (February to October)tickets will set you back £15 but are well worth the price. From tranquil Japanese gardens to the high altitude Alpine housethere is so much to explore in the beautiful area of West London.

The Regents Park and Primrose Hill

Regents Park is perhaps the most loved park in central London; just a stone’s throw from the famous Camden Town. You can easily spend hours at this beautiful parkexploring all of its attractions. Many sports pitchesa large boating lakeandincrediblyRegents Park is home to London Zoo.

To the north of the park is Primrose Hillwidely considered one of the best viewpoints in the city. Head here just before sunsetbring a bottle of wine if you’re feeling extra fancyand watch the horizon melt into the incredible London skyline.

The Sky Garden

OKso this final one might not technically be a parkbut it is one of the best (free) things to do in London. Andit’s the highest garden in the capitalwhich is unsurprising at a staggering 160meters high. The gardens are an exotic mix of Mediterranean and South African speciesexplicitly chosen as they flower all year round. Meaningthat there really is no wrong time to visit this fantastic venue.

Aside from the garden itselfthe views over London from the 13^th tallest building are simply unbeatable. Tickets can be booked in advance but are entirely free. There is no pressure to spend any more inside. Howeverif you fancy a treatthere are two restaurants and three bars.