London parks

London has an exceptional number and variety of parks. The most popular ones are listed below.

Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of the largest city parks in the world and one of the Royal Parks of London. It is divided in two by the Serpentine lake and has something for everyone: swimming, boating, cycling and skating, along with pitches for team games, tennis courts, horse riding tracks and a spectacular children's playground. There are also two lakeside restaurants.

If you're out and about on a Sunday, head to Speakers' Corner to hear London's most vocal orators share their opinions with the world.

Nearest stations

Hyde Park Corner, Marble Arch, Bayswater, Queensway, Lancaster Gate, High Street Kensington.

Green Park

Green Park lies between Hyde Park and St James's Park. Its mature trees and open grassland are bordered by Constitution Hill, Piccadilly and the Broad Walk. In fine weather it is a favourite spot for sunbathing and picnics, and its paths are used extensively by joggers and runners.

Nearest station

Green Park.

St James's Park

Adjoining Green Park, St James's Park is the oldest of the Royal Parks. Its lake, pelicans and views towards Buckingham Palace make it one of the most photographed green spaces in the city.

On the northern edge of the park stands St James's Palace, originally built on the site of a leper hospital. It remains a working royal palace, housing the offices of several members of the Royal Family.

A short walk away you emerge onto Parliament Square, with the splendour of Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.

Nearest stations

St James's Park, Westminster, Green Park, Charing Cross.

The Regent's Park

The Regent's Park has the largest area of grass sports pitches in central London. Situated to the north-west of the city centre, it offers a wide variety of activities and is home to the Open Air Theatre, London Zoo, Regent's University London, and many cafes and restaurants. There is also a boating lake where you can hire a rowing boat.

On the western edge of the park stands the London Central Mosque, with its distinctive golden dome.

Nearest stations

Regent's Park, Great Portland Street, Baker Street, St John's Wood, Camden Town.

Primrose Hill

Just north of The Regent's Park, Primrose Hill is a small park that comes into its own during the summer months. The climb to the top is short, and the reward is one of the finest views across central London.

Nearest stations

Chalk Farm, Camden Town.

Hampstead Heath

Hampstead Heath is a large expanse of woodland, meadow and ponds, and makes for a thoroughly enjoyable day of walking and sightseeing. In summer you can swim in the bathing ponds, which are surrounded by trees and bushes, and fishing is permitted on several of the others with the appropriate permit.

Nearest stations

Hampstead, Belsize Park (Underground) or Hampstead Heath (Overground).

The last three parks are a little further from central London, but well worth the journey.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Kew is one of the world's leading botanic gardens, covering more than 130 hectares of gardens and historic glasshouses between Richmond and Kew in south-west London, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It holds one of the largest collections of living plants anywhere in the world, alongside a herbarium containing millions of preserved plant specimens.

Opening times

Daily from 10am; closing times vary by season. Please check kew.org before travelling.

Admission

Ticketed – book online in advance for the best prices.

Telephone

020 8332 5655

Nearest stations

Kew Gardens, Richmond.

Syon Park

A short distance from Kew, Syon Park surrounds Syon House and its Capability Brown landscaped gardens. Local fairs and events are held here several times a year.

Nearest stations

Gunnersbury, then bus; or Syon Lane (rail).

Richmond Park

Richmond Park is the largest of London's Royal Parks, covering 2,360 acres (9.55 sq km). It borders Richmond, Ham, Kingston upon Thames, Wimbledon, Roehampton and East Sheen, and is famous for its herds of red and fallow deer, which number over six hundred.

Nearest station

Richmond.