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London is considered one of the greenest cities in the world and has over 3000 parks and green spaces. These parks in London are known for being a haven for people to enjoy life surrounded by nature and away from the hustle of cities. However, with so many famous parks in London and green spaces to visit, it is normal to get confused. We have listed the top 10 parks in London, both with and without lakes, so you can enjoy quiet time in nature and learn about the rich history of these parks.
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Did you know that London is known for its “Green lung” status and roughly 47% of its total area is classified as “green?” This is because London city has over 3000 parks, riversides, street trees, green roofs, rivers, reservoirs, and canals.
The main attraction and most popular London parks are the eight royal parks, which cover 1,976 hectares. These parks were formerly hunting grounds for the royals and are now open to the public.
In the section below, we will give you an overview of these eight royal parks as well as some other green spaces and various things to do in London that you can enjoy in your free time.
Also Read: Best Cafes In London
The parks in London are always filled with tourists and locals all year round and have a huge density of trees. But what makes parks in London even more worth your visit is that even though this metropolis is densely populated, it is one of the world's largest urban forests.
Below are some nice parks in London that you can visit to enjoy various activities and a quiet day out:
This beautiful park, located north of Regent's Park in London, England, is a grade II-listed public park. Henry VIII appropriated it and named it after the natural hill in the centre of the park. With over 2,110 reviews on TripAdvisor, it has been rated as an excellent place to visit by 1,366 people.
Address: Primrose Hill Road, London NW1 4NR England
Top things to do there: Get a light snack or coffee at The Primrose Hill Café
Open time: 5 am - 8 pm, vehicle gates 7 am-midnight
How to Get there: From the Chalk farm station, take the Northern Line. Go to the Adelaide Road and cross the bridge over the railroad track. Lastly, go towards the King Henry's Road.
With over 14,915 reviews on Google, Holland Park is considered one of the best London park because of its peaceful green space. Holland Park is located between South Kensington and Notting Hill and is spread across 54 acres of former grounds of the Cope Castle. If you are looking for quiet time away from your studies or work, then this is one of the beautiful parks in London that you should visit.
Address: Ilchester Place Kensington-Chelsea, London W8 6LU England
Open time: 7:30 am until 30 minutes before dusk
Top things to do there: Visit the Kyoto Garden which was donated in 1991 by the Chamber of Commerce of Kyoto.
How to Get there: Take the Central Line to the Holland Park tube station.
Next on our list of top parks in London, is the very famous and beautiful Waterlow Park. The Waterlow Park is a 26-acre park that is located in the Highgate village and is known for its tranquil setting and the historic Lauderdale House. This beautiful park not only attracts a variety of wildlife but also has three ponds that are fed by the natural springs.
Address: Highgate Hl, London N6 5HG, United Kingdom
Open time: 7:30 am until dusk
How to Get there: Take The Northern Line (Barnet branch) to Archway station, and then you can either walk uphill or take a bus.
Another one of the famous parks in London is Greenwich Park which is home to some of London's historic buildings, wildlife, and lakes. Greenwich Park has something for everyone, be it the rose and herb gardens or the orchards and wildlife. This park in London City was a former hunting park and is now a part of the Greenwich World Heritage Site.
Address: London SE10 8QY, United Kingdom
Open time: 6 am – 8 pm (pedestrian gate)
Top things to do there: Go for boating and visit the National Maritime Museum
How to Get there: Take a train from one of the central London stations to Greenwich or Maze Hill.
Next on our list of best parks in London is Green Park which is known for its 40-acre oasis of mature trees and parkland. With over 1,377 reviews on TripAdvisor, Green Park was a popular spot for royal events and is now a part of London's eight royal parks. What makes this park worth your visit is that this park has a memorial dedicated to people who lost their lives in two World Wars.
Address: Green Park, London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom
Open time: 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM (midnight)
How to Get there: take the tube to Green Park station or take a bus to the nearby stops.
Did you know that Hyde Park is not just one of the best parks in London, but in the UK as well? It has more than 1,33,294 reviews on Google with an average rating of 4.7 and has been named one of the best in the nation.
But this is not the only amazing park in London, to help you explore more such beautiful parks in London, below is a list of the best parks in London with lakes:
The first place on our list of London parks with lakes had to be Hyde Park. Spanning over 350 acres, Hyde Park is a historic Grade I-listed urban park in Westminster and was established by Henry VIII in 1536. It is known for hosting some of the major events like Winter Wonderland and concerts. Make sure that you don't miss out on this London par during your visit.
Address: The Old Police House, Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH
Open time: 5 a.m. to midnight
Top things to do there: Boating on The Serpentine and visiting the Diana Memorial Fountain.
Another one of the eight royal parks in London with lakes is the Regent's Park where you can slow down, enjoy nature and smell the roses. There are over 120 species of bird that you can see at the Regent's Park as well as 5,000 varieties of trees. Additionally, make sure to not miss out on the stunning view at the top of Primrose Hill during your visit.
Address: Outer Cir, London NW1 4NR England.
Open time: 5 am - 8 pm, vehicle gates 7 am-midnight
Top things to do there: Check out the open-air theatre and visit the ZSL London Zoo and Primrose Hill.
St James's Park is the best London park for a quiet day out and to wander around along the beautiful lakeside pathways. Famous for its royal connection and various ceremonies, St James's Park is shaped by generations of monarchs and is surrounded by three royal palaces. This historic park in London has something to offer to everyone.
Address: Horse Guards Road The Storeyard, London SW1A 2BJ England
Open time: 5 am to midnight (pedestrian gate)
Top things to do there: Check out the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk and Duck Island.
With an average rating of 4.7 on Google, the Kensington Gardens is known for its connection with the royal family as well as hosting the world-renowned Serpentine Galleries. This beautiful lakeside garden was once a private property and now covers 265 acres which is shared by the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
Address: The Magazine Storeyard, London W2 UH England
Open time: 6:00 AM to dusk
Top thing to do there: Check out the Kensington Palace
Battersea Park is one of the nice parks in London that has been considered "Excellent" by a total of 382 people on TripAdvisor. This beautiful lakeside park is situated three kilometres south of the Hyde Park Corner and was built between 1854 and 1870. Spanning over 200 acres, Battersea Park is considered one of the finest parks in London, so make sure you don't miss this out.
Address: Central Ave, London SW11 4NJ England
Open time: 8 am until dusk
Top thing to do there: Here you can enjoy boating, exploring the Peace Pagoda, visiting the Children's Zoo, and enjoying the Go Ape adventure course.
These are just some of the top parks in London that you can visit. But to make your visit to these places even more amazing and hassle-free, below are some tips on visiting London's parks.
There are some nice parks in London that you can explore. Below, we have mentioned some tips that can help you make the most of your visit:
Also Read: Moving Abroad Checklist
In conclusion, above are some of the top parks in London that you can go to enjoy a quiet day away from the fast life of the city. There, you can enjoy various activities and explore iconic London city places. Additionally, if you are a new student who is trying to figure out how to live in London, then you can connect with GraddingHomes. You will get help regarding various information like student accommodation in UK, things to do and so on. Connect with us now!
Hyde Park is the most famous park in London and is known for its size, history, and landmarks like the Serpentine and Speakers' Corner.
St. James's Park is often considered the prettiest park in London because of its flower beds, lake, and views of Buckingham Palace.
Primrose Hill in Regent's Park offers one of the most stunning panoramic views of the London skyline.
Greenwich Park, Regent's Park, and Battersea Park are great for families with play areas, open spaces, and attractions.
Yes, most London parks are free to enter, making them perfect for everyone to enjoy.
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