Parks in London: The capital’s most glorious green spaces, from Hyde Park to Clapham Common
When the sun decides to show up, there’s few better places to be in London than in one of the many glorious parks. Most offer far more than a chance to sunbathe: cricket pitches, swimming spots and even deer are surprisingly common.
Happily, 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. It’s time to lace up your boots and get your kicks — and maybe grab a bottle of fizz from the fridge.
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: Hyde Park houses a lido and is famous for the Serpentine. 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.
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 eco-friendly LookOut 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.
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, Queensway, Marble Arch, Knightsbridge
Regent's Park
One of London's most beautiful parks, in London: at the height of summer, prepare a breakfast and watch the sunrise. Throughout the summer, Regent's Park opens its open-air theatre in the Queen Mary's gardens; this year, highlights include La Cage Aux Folles and The Tempest.
