The Best Parks and Green Spaces in London

As surprising as it sounds, London is an incredibly green city. Living in London means that you have an abundance of parks, ponds, or even a canal on your doorstep. In fact London has so many green spaces that it actually falls under the UN’s definition of a forest. 

Renting and working in London can sometimes feel a little chaotic. If you need a quick break and a dose of fresh air, here is a run down of the best parks in London for you to escape too.

Hampstead Heath

Hampstead Heath is one of London’s most loved parks and perhaps one of the most famous parks in London. With 800 acres of green space and numerous walking trails you could easily spend an entire day here. With an expanse of rolling hills and meadows, ponds and  an incredible Edwardian Pergola, the hustle and bustle of the city will feel miles away. If  you’re in Hampstead Heath in the evening, head to the top of Parliament Hill to watch the sun setting over the city. 

Discover more about the area in our Hampstead neighbourhood guide. 

Kensington Gardens & Hyde Park

Kensington Gardens is one of London’s most beautiful parks, with 265 acres of greenspace, formal gardens and impressive water features. You’ll find sunken gardens beside Kensington Palace, enclosed by a shady walkway of rose covered arches and hedges. There’s also Round Pond, which is home to geese, ducks and swans who are more than happy to be fed.

Kensington Gardens connects seamlessly with Hyde Park, which is considered to be London’s beating heart. You’ll find rallies and protests, as well as summertime concerts and the Winter Wonderland funfair. Hyde Park also offers a huge green expanse to jog in, ride bikes, rollerblade, swim in the Serpentine, and simply relax on the grass.

 Discover more about the area in our Westminster neighbourhood guide. 

Dulwich Park

Dulwich Park covers 72 acres and is packed with historic features, picnic spots and a large lake that you can go boating on. Don’t miss the American Garden, which is full of plants from the east coast of the United States. After you’ve worked up an appetite head to Dulwich Park’s Clock Cafe for sourdough pizza. If you’re there in the evening you might even catch a film at the open air Luna cinema that runs in the summer months.

Discover more about the area in our Dulwich neighbourhood guide. 

Richmond Park

Covering 2,500 acres, Richmond Park is one of the biggest parks in London, as well as being home to over 630 fallow deer. It is also London’s largest nature reserve, with few places in the city having such wild and open scenery. Richmond Park is also home to the Isabella Plantation, a sizable woodland garden filled with azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons that bloom in mid spring. The sheer size of Richmond Park makes it one of best parks in London for walks and following leafy trails. 

Greenwich Park

For some of the best skyline views whilst still being in nature, Greenwich Park is the place to go. Head to the top of the hill and enjoy sweeping views across the River Thames and central London. Greenwich Park is also home to the Prime Meridian Line and The Royal Observatory. In the summer months a bandstand plays host to concerts, making it one of the best parks in London for picnics with friends. 

Discover more about the area in our Greenwich neighbourhood guide. 

Barbican Conservatory

For the days when you’re craving some greenery but the rain has put a halt on any outdoor plans, the Barbican Conservatory is the next best thing. It’s a hidden oasis filled with over 2,000 species of tropical plants, trees, birds and exotic fish. In the rafters of the conservatory you’ll find a cactus house as well as bee hives. Wander over wooden bridges suspended over pools full of koi fish and spot the terrapins lazing on the rocks. To find the conservatory head to the third floor of the Barbican Centre on Silk Street. 

After a day of exploring the best parks in London, why not replenish your energy levels at some of the most affordable food spots in South London.

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