Our Favourite London Parks

Green Park

Green Park covers 47 acres between Hyde Park and St James's Park. Together with Kensington Gardens and the gardens of Buckingham Palace, these parks form an almost unbroken stretch of open land reaching from Whitehall and Victoria Station to Kensington and Notting Hill. The only one of the Royal Parks without a lake, pond, or body of water, Green Park is known for its abundance of trees and meadow space. Close to Green Park tube, The Ritz and some of London's most prestigious addresses, Green Park is perfect for a summer stroll or a lazy picnic.

Hyde Park

The largest of the Royal Parks and bordering Mayfair and Fitzrovia as well as Knightsbridge and Kensington, Hyde Park boasts the Serpentine lido, a freshwater swimming area of the Serpentine river. A sun deck and café make this the perfect place to cool off in the city summer heat. The Serpentine also has a boating area, with a solar powered shuttle boat. Tennis courts, horse riding and a children's playground mean there's something for everyone in Hyde Park. Accessible by tube on all sides (Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner and High Street Kensington among others) it's easy to see why it's so popular.

Holland Park

Small but perfectly formed, Holland Park is tucked away in Kensington and is a great location for a romantic stroll or a picnic with friends. The Japanese Kyoto garden is the perfect place for some quiet reflection and home to tiered waterfalls, a pool full of Koi carp and a stunningly designed area of Japanese trees and plants. Holland Park is also home to an Ecology Centre, which runs workshops and events and has a wildlife club for kids, which provides activities for all ages during the school holidays.

St James's Park

Surrounded by three royal palaces, including the Queen's own residence Buckingham Palace, St James's park is also home to the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk and the Trooping of the Colour, which happens annually on the Queen's birthday. Inhabited by an abundance of wildlife including its world-famous pelicans, St James's park is a wonderful space to visit for children and adults alike and there is something for everyone. The changing of the guard happens daily in summer and is enjoyed by Londoners and visitors alike.

Kensington Gardens

Once part of Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens is filled with things to see and do. The Serpentine Galleries show seasonal exhibitions from artists and architects and have shown work from over 6,000 artists since opening in 1970. The beautiful Albert Memorial, which was unveiled in 1872, is a stunning tribute to Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert and is definitely worth visiting to admire its Victorian gothic architecture. Kensington Gardens is also home to the Peter Pan themed Diana Memorial playground and Kensington Palace, which is currently the official residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (that's Wills and Kate to me and you).