PARKS
Discover the best parks in London, from Hampstead Heath to Hyde Park and all the hidden gems in between. These are the best parks to take a picnic, kick back and relax.
St James’s Park might not be the biggest or the flashiest but it is the oldest of London’s eight Royal Parks and the perfect place for picnic, unless you’re afraid of the birds that is. Not only do the famous pelicans take roost on Duck Island but there’s also 17 other species of birds flapping about. But of course, all that bird watching is thirsty work, so once you’ve ruffled enough feathers and erm, not taken a pic outside Buckingham Palace, get stuck into that spread.
We’ve always thought an awesome sunny day on London Fields in Hackney is like a mini festival, except without the live music. The atmosphere is always great and everyone seems to just get along. It’s one of the only parks you can BBQ in and Broadway Market is right nearby in case you run out of supplies.
The best thing about Holland Park is the Kyoto Garden, a Japanese garden donated by the Chamber of Commerce of Kyoto in 1991. A perfect, tranquil and romantic spot for a picnic we feel. Inside the park are all sorts of summer activities from football, golf, cricket and netball… should keep you going way after the sun goes down.
So everyone knows about Hampstead Heath but it’s still the place to go for a picnic. Not only is it massive, so plenty of room for everyone, but you get mega views from the top of Parliament Hill, you’ve got the ponds and a lido for when you wanna take a dip and it’s a lovely walk up to Kenwood House.
CLAPHAM COMMON
As it’s one the biggest green spaces south of the river, The Common has become a popular festival site, but it’s defo worth a visit once all the stages have disappeared. It’s packed with sports facilities and home to a fair few joggers, yet it never feels overcrowded. Check out the three ponds and make sure you pass by the iconic late-Victorian bandstand… it makes for one hell of a pic.
CLISSOLD PARK
Beloved by Stokey locals, Clissold Park is a total gem. It’s got tennis courts and a bowling green for when you’re feeling particularly energetic, but the park itself is big enough to get a good stroll in. You can see the whole thing by walking the perimeter, looping in the Grade-II listed Clissold House and the lakes on the way. If that doesn’t earn you a picnic after, nothing does. Plus it’s one of the only urban parks that’s home to animals. Where else are you gonna see goats, deer, swans and terrapins in North London?
FINSBURY PARK
Finsbury Park might not be an obvious choice of where to spend a Sunday afternoon but this park offers more than just grass. There’s a brand new free-to-use outdoor gym that’ll through your paces with 20 exercise stations, and an abandoned railway line. Once you’re done exploring, find a spot and open up that picnic.
Even though this park is generally full of hipster East Londoners, there are records of the area going back to 1540…so people really HAVE been going there before it was cool. As well as the park, there’s also a lido and Saturday food market. Dig in!
ST JAMES'S PARK
St James’s Park might not be the biggest or the flashiest but it is the oldest of London’s eight Royal Parks and the perfect place for picnic, unless you’re afraid of the birds that is. Not only do the famous pelicans take roost on Duck Island but there’s also 17 other species of birds flapping about. But of course all that bird watching is thirsty work, so once you’ve ruffled enough feathers and erm, not taken a pic outside Buckingham Palace, get stuck into that spread.
TELEGRAPH HILL
It’s worth the trek up the hill, just look at those views. Everything from Battersea Power Station to the Gherkin. The park is split into to parts, separated by a pathway. It also houses a skate park and tennis court, a good way to work up an appetite for that picnic.
HOLLAND PARK
The best thing about Holland Park is the Kyoto Garden, a Japanese garden donated by the Chamber of Commerce of Kyoto in 1991. A perfect, tranquil and romantic spot for a picnic we feel. Inside the park are all sorts of summer activities from football, golf, cricket and netball…should keep you going way after the sun goes down.
BURGESS PARK
It may be surrounded by some of South London’s busiest roads, but damn it is beautiful. With BBQ areas, an outdoor gym and quiet hidden away leafy corners as well as an awesome lake you could almost forget you are in London when in Burgess Park.
FINSBURY SQUARE
So here’s something you might not know…you can actually BBQ on Finsbury Square, yep…it’s allowed. Right in the city, strike up that barbie and kick back with a beer. Obviously, you don’t want to destroy the bowling green lawn…that would be silly.
LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS
The largest public square in London and is hidden away in Holborn round the back of the Hoxton Hotel. Admire the architecture and BBQ away people. It’s nice and clean and very green…let’s keep it that way.
HAGGERSTON PARK
Sandwiched between Columbia Road Flower Market and Broadway Market, there’s lots going on at Haggerston Park thanks to the tennis courts football grounds and Hackney City Farm. It’s far less crowded than nearby London Fields so if you need a bit more calm, then head here.
HAMPSTEAD HEATH
So everyone knows about Hampstead Heath but it’s still the place to go for a picnic. Not only is it massive, so plenty of room for everyone, but you get mega views from the top of Parliament Hill, you’ve got the ponds and a lido for when you wanna take a dip and it’s a lovely walk up to Kenwood House.
WATERLOW PARK
Waterlow Park makes for a great alternative to Hampstead Heath and is still a bit of a hidden gem thanks to its more famous neighbour. As well as three ponds, the lawns are all well maintained and Lauderdale House on the edge of the park is worth a look too. Plus it’s near to Highgate Cemetery, which houses Karl Marx, Douglas Adams and more.
POSTMAN'S PARK
More of a yard than a proper park, Postman’s Park is still one of the largest green spaces in the City of London yet it remains a hidden gem. It’s also full of plaques dedicated to everyday heroes – these stories of self-sacrifice were collected by artist George Frederic Watts and turned into a memorial in 1900 – making it a very peaceful spot.
PRIMROSE HILL
Primrose Hill is the poshest park in London and it’s the one that everyone goes to for THAT Instagram shot. You can’t blame them though as the hill boasts seriously impressive views over the city – the trees have even been kept low enough so as not to get in the way. And it’s just a short walk across the park to London Zoo.
SPRINGFIELD PARK
Springfield Park may not be well known but that’s exactly why we love it. Nestled in between Clapton and Walthamstow, the park was originally a combination of grounds from three private houses (only the White House is still standing). Now it’s got cricket, tennis and athletics facilities and is right on the edge of the River Lea.
HIGHBURY FIELDS
You can BBQ in Highbury Fields so it’s always a popular spot with North Londoners come summertime but the park also has plenty to offer all year round. It’s got plenty of sports facilities and a playground for the kiddies, and is a great place to escape to when Upper Street gets a bit too much.
VICTORIA PARK
Oh Vicky Park how we do love you. Not only does it play host to some of the best festivals in the capital but it’s home to the Pavilion Cafe (great for a top notch breakfast), a model boating lake and a new weekly farmer’s market on top of all the green space. It may always be full of joggers and sunbathers but the place is so big you’ll never feel crowded.
BROCKWELL PARK
Not only does Brockwell Park have a bangin’ lido that’s the ideal place to cool off come summer but it’s also got a BMX track, basketball court, cricket nets, bowling greens and a ton of other sports facilities. Or you could just kick back and enjoy the views from the top of the park.