Our guide to London parks and green spaces – oases of calm in the London metropolis…
If you’re planning on spending a few days in London, there are several ways to fill your time. Apart from cultural attractions, architecture, cathedrals, markets, and shops to visit, you can spend some time away from the crush of the city in one of London’s many parks.
There are eight Royal Parks in London, and these are the largest, most extravagant, and beautiful parks in the sprawling city, including the world-famous Hyde Park. In addition to these royal eight are dozens more smaller and more intimate parks and green spaces.
These smaller, more obscure parks are more likely to be quiet, so if you’re looking for a solitary escape from the crush of touring the city, one of the smaller parks might be more your style.
We’ve assembled a list of the 20 greatest parks and green spaces in London, including the 8 Royal Parks, plus 12 smaller parks that range from rooftop gardens to small, urban community gardens.
No matter which park or parks you choose to visit on your stay in London, you’re sure to find beauty, culture, and a quiet space to breathe deeply and relax. Bring a book and relax against an ancient tree or spend an hour or two in quiet contemplation at one of many memorials. Either way, you’re sure to enjoy a quiet, nature-filled afternoon.
1. Regent’s Park
The Regent’s Park is one of the Royal Parks of London, and lies partially within the City of Westminster. It’s most often visited for the London Zoo, but also features beautiful rose gardens. While visiting, you can also see the Regent’s University London.
2. Hyde Park
Hyde Park is one of the most famous Royal Parks, and has a wealth of sites that are of interest to visitors and tourists. See the Speaker’s Corner, which is close to the site of the Tyburn Gallows and Rotten Row.
Also of note is the Diana, Princess of Wales memorial, the London Holocaust Memorial, the 7 July Memorial, and a number of sculptures, including the Jelly Babies family.
3. Green Park
Green Park is another of London’s Royal Parks, but unlike many of London’s parks, it has no lakes, no buildings, no playgrounds, and only a few monuments; the few that are there are the Canada Memorial, the Diana Fountain, and the RAF Bomber Command Memorial. Otherwise, the park consists almost entirely of mature trees, grass, and naturalized narcissus flowers.
4. St. James Park
St. James Park has a large lake with two islands, West Island and Duck Island. The park is known for a colony of pelicans that have been a feature since they were donated by a Russian ambassador in 1664. A lovely blue bridge gives visitors a view towards Buckingham Palace to the west. To the east is the Swire fountain, and to the south is the Tiffany Fountain on Pelican Rock.
5. Greenwich Park
This former hunting park is one of the largest green spaces in London. It was the very first Royal Park to be enclosed in 1433, and has fantastic views of the River Thames, the Isle of Dogs, and the city of London. Of note is the Observatory on the hill, which has a statue of General James Wolfe. At the top of this hill are even more spectacular views.
6. Phoenix Garden
This small garden is a local community garden. It’s popular with visitors now, because the garden has won first prize for Best Environmental Garden in the Camden in Bloom competitions six times since 2004. The garden has regular social events, like the very popular annual Agricultural Show and volunteer work-days.
7. Hampstead Heath
This large, ancient park sits upon one of the highest ridges in London. The Heath has rambling hills, ponds, woodlands, playgrounds, and adjoins to the stately Kenwood House and grounds. The most stunning feature of the park, however, is the view from Parliament Hill, which is so beautiful that it’s protected by law!
8. Richmond Park
This park was created by Charles I in the 17th century as a deer park, but today it is the largest of London’s Royal Parks and acts as a nature reserve, a site of Special Scientific Interest. Visitors can see deer throughout the park, as well as many buildings of architectural or historic interest. The White Lodge was formerly a royal residence, and is now home to the Royal Ballet School.
9. Clapham Common
This large, triangular urban park was originally common land, but was converted to parkland in the late 1800s. It has 220 acres of green space, with three ponds and a Victorian era bandstand. The park itself is overlooked by a number of Georgian churches and other buildings that are just beautiful.
10. Battersea Park
This 200 acre green space is on the south bank o