London’s best parks, from Hyde Park to Clapham Common

With Lockdown 2.0 having outlawed fun – at least the indoor, mixed-household kind – it’s time to head outdoors.

While meeting other groups is out and social distancing remains very much in, London’s parks offer an escape from quiet city streets, offering acres and acres of green space to get lost among. 

Whether you’re looking for somewhere to ramble around or fancy a new running route, now’s the perfect time to explore. While certain facilities remain off-limits – loos are often shut  – plenty is back up and running, including many park cafés and kiosks offering takeaway. The Royal Parks website is kept well up to date with what’s open and operating and what’s not, so it’s worth giving it the once over before heading out. 

London isn't short of green spaces, with eight main parks, 15 other large open spots and more than a hundred Commons, so suffice it to say, we've not covered them all here, just our favourites. All those below are open daily, and seem to largely be much the same as in usual times, unless otherwise stated. It’s time to lace up your boots and get your kicks. 

Hyde Park

What's it like? A huge 350 acres, you won't struggle for a decent walk here. There's space to swim, too, after the lockdown lifts: Hyde Park houses a lido and is famous for the Serpentine, though swimming there is strictly for members only. Both offer bracing dips, and the Serpentine can be enjoyed by hiring a pedalo, rowing boat, or scooting about as a passenger on the solar-powered SolarShuttle. Boating is seasonal, usually running from late March until the end of October. 

The park is teeming with wildlife – we don't just mean the interesting types at Speaker's Corner  – and has playgrounds for children and their grandparents alike. 

What's there? Speaker's Corner, The LookOut Discovery Centre, boating and swimming at the Serpentine, the Lido, children's playground, senior playground (with exercise facilities), football pitches, deck chairs, horse riding, lawn bowls, putting green, six tennis courts, Diana Memorial, Holocaust Memorial, bandstand. While sports are temporarily paused for the second lockdown, but everything else is back up and running. 

Food and drink? Serpentine bar and kitchen, Lido bar and cafe, various refreshment points (including at Serpentine Road, the playground and Hyde Park Corner). 

Opening times 5am – midnight

Find it Mayfair/Westminster, W2 2UH, royalparks.org.uk

Nearest tube(s) Hyde Park corner, Lancaster Gate, Marble Arch, Knightsbridge

Regent’s Park

What's it like? One of London's most beautiful parks, the high trees surrounding the grass, lakes and gardens mean that for many of the 395 acres, there's a feeling of having gotten away to the countryside. The boating lake is a highlight, where there's the choice of row boats and pedalos. Boating runs seasonally, from late March until the end of October, and we’d recommend the rowing – the queues are shorter and it's more romantic. Primrose Hill, on the northern side of the park, is a serious contender for the loveliest picnic spot in London: at the height of summer, prepare a breakfast and watch the sunrise. Throughout the summer, Regent's Park – officially The Regent's Park – offers open-air theatre in the Queen Mary's gardens. 

What's there? The Hub sports facility, exercise classes, pitches for football, rugby, softball, lacrosse, cricket, tennis centre, netball courts, open air theatre, four gardens, an allotment, the bandstand, seven memorials and statues, bird walk. Nearby there is the ZSL London Zoo. All sporting facilities and Zoo are currently shut.

Food and drink The Regent's Bar and Kitchen, the Hub cafe, the Broad Walk Cafe, the Espresso bar, the Boathouse cafe, the Regent's Park Tennis Centre cafe, various kiosks around the park.

Opening times 5am – 9.30pm

Find it Camden, NW1 4NR, royalparks.org.uk

Nearest tube(s) Baker Street, Regent’s Park, Camden Town

Green Park

What's it like? Despite its moneyed surroundings, (the) Green Park somewhat skimps on the extras. Don't go expecting activities: instead, take advantage of the 40 charming acres and admire the beauty – the Mall runs along one edge and Buckingham Palace is just a stroll away. Those wanting exercise should bring their own frisbee – the gentle incline of Constitution Hill is about as strenuous as things get here. Though a quiet spot, Green Park is also home to some of London's most stirring memorials, including the Bomber Command Memorial and Memorial Gates.

What's there? Royal Gun Salutes, Diana Princess of Wales memorial walk

Food and drink Two refreshment points at Ritz Corner and Canada Gate.

Opening times 5am – midnight

Find it Mayfair, SW1A 2BJ, royalparks.org.uk

Nearest tube(s) Green Park, Hyde Park Corner

St James’s Park

What's it like? St James's is known for its wildlife – the pelicans are extraordinary birds, and fed daily, which is worth watching. It's the eastern tip of the chain of Royal Parks which make for a gorgeous (and very long) day's walk, as it runs into Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. It's perfectly suited to those seeing the sights, as Buckingham Palace is quite literally a stone's throw away and Horse Guard's Parade runs along its edge. There are also many iconic statues and monuments here. Its charm, though, is that despite being in the centre of town, it feels worlds away.

What's there? A lake, duck island, Diana memorial walk, wildlife, Queen Victoria Monument, Admiralty Arch, the Tiffany fountain.

Food and drink St James's Café, currently closed. Refreshment spots across the park, at Marlborough Gate, Horse Shoe Bend, Artillery Memorial and playground. 

Opening times 5am – midnight

Find it St James’s, SW1A 2BJ, royalparks.org.uk

Nearest tube(s) St James's, Westminster

Victoria Park

What's it like? London's oldest public park rightly has a sterling reputation. Once voted the nation's favourite park, it's won Green Flag and Green Heritage Awards five years in a row. Highlights include the Regal boat hire, which is back after a 30 odd year absence (operating seasonally, from March through till the end of October). There are a number of sporting clubs worth checking out after lockdown, but perhaps one of Victoria Park's best pleasures is also one of its simplest: the tree-covered walks shine bright and green as the sun comes through them.

What's there? Two children's play areas, which are still open. Football summer and winter pitches, artificial cricket wickets and cricket practice nets, four tennis courts, bowling green, specialist cycling classes, fishing lake, war memorial, model boating lake, Chinese pagoda, deer enclosure, all of which are currently closed.

Food and drink Pavilion cafe. 

Opening times 7am – dusk

Find it Grove Road, Bow, E3 5TB, towerhamlets.gov.uk

Nearest tube(s) Mile End, Bethnal Green, Stepney Green

Battersea Park

What's it like? Since 1858, Battersea Park has had a mixed time of things but recent restoration means it's now something of a south London must-see. Many of its original charms have resurfaced, including the fountains. The highlight, though, is the lake, where one could previously happily while away an afternoon. There's also a children’s zoo – closed for Lockdown 2.0. The park also counts a number of gardens among its grounds – our favourites are the Old English garden, the sub-tropical garden and the beautiful winter gardens. Artsy types should take a walk to find the Henry Moore, too.

What's there? 1km riverside promenade, boating lake, children's play areas, Putt in the Park crazy golf course, Battersea children's zoo, Pump House gallery, fitness centre, cricket pitch and nets, cricket pavilion, football pitches, rounders and softball pitches, lacrosse pitch, netball court, rugby pitch, bowling green, bandstand, many gardens, war memorial. Please note the boating lake, zoo, gallery and sports facilities are currently closed.

Food and drink The Pear Tree Cafe, Putt in the Park, tea terrace and kiosk.

Opening times 8am – dusk

Find it Battersea, SW11 4NJ, wandsworth.gov.uk

Nearest tube(s) Fulham Broadway, Victoria

Hampstead Heath

What's it like? Hampstead Heath offers stunning views over the city, but one could be forgiven for not noticing, as there's an awful lot to do once lockdown lifts. If you aren't taking a dip in one of the ponds (the single-sex ponds are temporarily closed for lockdown, the mixed pond will be back in April 2021) or the Parliament Hill Lido (back after Dec 2), you could be running circuits on the athletics track or even visiting Golders Hill butterfly house (also closed for the moment). For sheer childhood pleasure, though, the model boating pond is difficult to top. The heath also benefits from its wooded areas and is a conservation area with plenty of wildlife, especially on the bird sanctuary pond. There are also pitches for just about every sport, including croquet, perfect for when the lockdown lifts.

What's there? Swimming ponds, swan pond, model boating pond, bird sanctuary pond, a zoo, tennis courts, rugby pitch, football pitch, cricket pitch, bowling green, croquet lawn, play parks, athletics tracks. All are presently closed. 

Food and drink Parliament Hill cafe, Golders Hill park cafe and Kenwood Brew House restaurant, open for takeaway. 

Opening times Open 24 hours

Find it Gordon House Road, NW5 1QR, cityoflondon.gov.uk

Nearest tube(s) Hampstead, Highgate, Golders Green

Clissold Park

What's it like? This Stoke Newington spot has held a Green Flag award since 2006, and is deservedly popular. It's very child friendly, with a charming paddling pool, decent play area and even a small zoo – no surprise these, as well as Clissold House itself, are currently closed. In a pre-lockdown world, the park often hosted events, from twilight walks in search of bats to football festivals to sessions discovering the edible fruit and flowers which grow in the grounds. It’s another good spot to watch deer. 

What's there? Aviary and animal enclosures, children's play area, Clissold House, fountains, multi-use games area, organic food growing area, pond, paddling pool, table tennis, tennis courts. All are currently closed.

Food and drink Clissold House cafe, presently takeaway only,  as well as a refreshment kiosk, currently closed. 

Opening times 6.45am – 5pm, though hours change each month; check the website for more details.

Find it Off Church Street/Green Lanes, N16 9HJ, hackney.gov.uk

Nearest tube(s) Manor House, Finsbury Park, or head to either Dalston Overground or Stoke Newington train station

Clapham Common

What's it like? This busy park usually always has plenty on, from one day festivals to football tournaments taking place here pre-lockdown. The lake is beautiful – and there's also the nearby Tooting Bec Lido, which is sadly shut at the moment. The park is always crammed, and popular for the variety of facilities for sports it offers, from Aussie rules to skateboarding, all currently on hold.

What's there? A bandstand, two children's play areas, paddling pool, fishing flower gardens, three ponds, athletics sprint track, Australian rules football pitch, basketball court, bowling green, cricket nets and wicket pitch, football pitch, rugby pitch, netball court, skateboard facilities, softball pitch, tennis courts. All presently closed. 

Food and drink Three cafes across the park, which now seem to be back open for takeaway. 

Opening times Open 24 hours

Find it Windmill Drive, SW4 9DE, lambeth.gov.uk

Nearest tube(s) Clapham South, Clapham Common, Clapham North

Richmond Park

What's it like? Richmond Park is the largest of London's eight Royal Parks and is an extraordinary space where the grass seems greener, the flowers seem to smell better and the sun seems warmer. The park has a magic that's not tangible - make sure to visit the Isabella plantation as soon as it reopens to see what we mean. It is a National Nature Reserve, London's largest Site of Special Scientific Interest and a European Special Area of Conservation. The red and fallow deer that live in the park are remarkable creatures – just remember they’re wild animals, so keep your distance. 

What's there? Isabella Plantation, wildlife, King Henry's mound, St Paul's Cathedral Tercentenary Gates, two playgrounds, fishing, power kiting.

Food and drink Pembroke Lodge, Roehampton cafe, three refreshment points at Broomfield Hill, Pen Pond car park and Pembroke Lodge car park.

Opening times 7.30am – 4pm, though pedestrian gates are open 24 hours a day

Find it TW10 5HS, royalparks.org.uk

Nearest tube(s) Richmond

Bushy Park

What's it like? A little out of the centre of London but well worth the journey, Bushy Park is huge at 1,100 acres, so there's plenty of space to make your own. There are lakes and streams dotted throughout the park, and plenty of wildlife, including deer and pheasants. You're able to cycle here, and there's a children's playground too. The park has been settled land since the Bronze Age, too, which is something to think about while walking under the sun.

What's there? Pheasantry Cafe, cycling, horse riding, woodlands, Diana fountain, Upper Lodge water gardens, playground.

Food and drink Pheasantry Cafe in the Woodlands area, a Pheasantry Kiosk, and a refreshment point in the Diana car park. 

Opening times 8am – 7pm

Find it Hampton Court, royalparks.org.uk

Nearest tube(s) Take the train, either to Hampton Court, Hampton Wick or Teddington

Crystal Palace Park

What's it like? No mere park, this was originally brought to life as a Victorian Pleasure Ground. Among its attractions are lakes, a maze, their famous dinosaur models and the Italian terraces, which survived the fire that destroyed the Crystal Palace. There's also the 'rusty laptop' concert stage, on the site Bob Marley once played, but it's sadly underused, and perhaps more interesting as an oddity of architecture. If none of that appeals, take it easy at the fishing lake.

What's there? Maze, dinosaur sculptures, famous bust of Sir Joseph Paxton, concert bowl. The children's play area and farm are currently closed.

Food and drink There are two Brown & Green cafes on the park’s grounds; the one on station road is closed, the other on Thicket Road remains open for takeaway. 

Opening times 7.30am – 8.30pm on weekdays and 9am – 9.30pm on weekends. Opening times change during the year and the park shuts as early as 4.30pm in the winter.

Find it Crystal Palace, SE19 2GA, bromley.gov.uk

Nearest tube(s) Take the train to Crystal Palace or Penge West

Brockwell Park

What's it like? Brockwell park offers a number of rather surprising attractions: come for the outdoor cinema screenings at the Lido when they're back on – is there any better way to enjoy Jaws than being sat in an inflatable dinghy? There's also any number of sporting facilities and the park does exercise classes for over 45s.

What's there? BMX track, basketball court, bowling green, cricket nets, cricket wicket pitch, athletics sprint track, football pitch, tennis courts, Brockwell lido, playground, film screenings. All currently closed or postponed.

Food and drink The Lido cafe, open for takeaway. 

Opening times 7.30am – 15 minutes before sunset

Find it Lambeth, SE24 9BJ, lambeth.gov.uk

Nearest tube(s) Brixton, Clapham North

Greenwich Park

What's it like? Parks are loved for their outdoor space, so it may seem peculiar to extol the virtues of Greenwich by starting with the buildings, but Greenwich Park is part of the Greenwich Maritime World Heritage Site and houses the (currently closed) National Maritime Museum and Old Royal Naval College, both of which are worthy of an afternoon or three, no matter how brightly the sun is shining. For the meantime, head to the deer park and the tucked-away Queen's orchard, which smell stunning when they’re in season. The rose garden and the flower garden charm when in bloom and of course, it's always worth seeing the meridian line, which marks Longitude Zero (0° 0' 0"). Greenwich park also has some Roman and Anglo-Saxon ruins. Go and geek out.

What's there? The Royal Observatory, The Meridian Line, National Maritime Museum, Old Royal Naval college, cricket lawn, Greenwich park tennis centre, all of which are currently shut.

Food and drink The Pavilion Cafe, open for takeaway. The Wolfe statue kiosk is also open for takeaway on weekends. The Park View Coffee Cabin and White House Bakery remain closed. 

Opening times 6am – 6pm

Find it Greenwich, SE10 8QY, royalparks.org.uk

Nearest tube(s) New Cross, North Greenwich. However, it may be easier to take a mainline train: Maze Hill railway station is only 5 minutes away. Greenwich railway station and Westcombe Park are both around quarter of an hour from the park

Kensington Gardens

What's it like? More than just home to Wills & Kate, Kensington Gardens offers 242 quiet acres of sculpted gardens, monuments, ornamental flower beds and a lake. Another park to enjoy for its beauty, rather than its facilities, Kensington Gardens do however put on the occasional event – think photography masterclasses and tips from their allotment, rather than raucous gigs.

What's there? Kensington Palace, Serpentine gallery and Serpentine Sackler gallery, which are currently closed. The Diana Memorial playground is open, though the water features are not in use. 

Food and drink Broad Walk café, Italian Gardens café, Albert Memorial kiosk (weekends only) and Palace Gate kiosk are all open for takeaway. The Orangery remains closed. 

Opening times 6am – 6.30pm

Find it Kensington, W2 2UH, royalparks.org.uk

Nearest tube(s) High Street Kensington, Queensway, Lancaster Gate, Notting Hill Gate

Holland Park

What's it like? If you think this park is impressive, just imagine it being your personal garden: the 54 acres of Holland Park used to be the grounds of Jacobean mansion Cope Castle. The gem of the park are the Japenese-themed Kyoto gardens; wander in and you'll feel like you've stepped out of London. The park also normally has an impressive range of sporting facilities, including pentanque. This is Kensington and Chelsea, after all. Throughout the summer, open air theatre and opera are staged outdoors, although unfortunately not this year. Still, we'd go for the wildlife: koi carp, peacocks and, er, cows.

What's there? Tennis courts, football pitches, golf practice nets, cricket practice nets, netball court, squash courts, open-air opera, open-air theatre, playground for children (including zip wire). All are currently closed.

Food and drink Holland Park cafe

Opening times 7.30am – 30 minutes before dusk

Find it Kensington, W8 6LU, rbkc.gov.uk

Nearest tube(s) High Street Kensington, Notting Hill Gate