Woah! This park has it all! Also known as St Mark's Park…read more(after the street on which is located) Kensington memorial is brilliant and the perfect place for kids and adult to go crazy. This park has been recently refurbished and I am very happy because its like 10 mins away from mine. It is wheelchair accessible, has a adventure playground with colourful apparatus+ sand box, a larger play area for older children with space rockets climbing frames etc and a large water park that is an absolute blessing on these hot, hot day! And the best part?! It is all free!! There is also a small shop(open during the summer months) that sells hot/cold snacks and chairs and tables you can eat at. Lots of toilets, grass, shade etc. It also includes tennis courts, football, junior cricket classes and One O'clock club which is managed by Family and Children's Services. The park was opened in 1926 in memoriam to those who fell in the Great War.

Walpole Park has a lot going for it. It's only a few minutes from Ealing Broadway station and the…read moreshopping areas. It's a good size, and can easily accommodate several football matches while leaving room for picnickers. It has duck ponds, open grassy areas, trees and shrubs, a small gazebo, a (quite busy) young children's playground, lots of benches, and a really nice pond with some small bridges (the latter area often used for wedding photos). There are flower beds here and there, but mostly you just feel it's lawn and bushes and trees. It's well-kept, and I see constant renovation to keep it up (new trash bins and benches are being put in). Come here on any sunny weekend and you'll see families having lunch, people feeding the ducks and squirrels, playing football and frisbee, and people running. I use this park all the time for running. The paved path around the perimeter is almost exactly 1 mile in length (as is Lammas Park, which is just across the street on the south side of Walpole). The Ealing Summer Festival (http://www.ealing.gov.uk/services/leisure/ealing_summer/) uses Walpole Park a lot. The Comedy Festival and the Jazz Festival both set up here for a week each. It's a great place to hold large-scale tented events, and miraculously the grass comes back every year! The London Wildcare Field Centre was opened here a couple of years ago, which rehabilitates injured urban animals. Kids can see birds, foxes, and other animals here and learn a bit about them. I see a lot of animals in the park anyway: many birds and squirrels and ducks, and even cranes in the pond by the bridge. Pitshanger Manor is in the park, a beautiful historic home with a free art gallery inside, open 6 days/week. Walpole Park is open 7 days a week, but, like most, its hours vary according to the time of year. It's roughly open when it's light. Downside: like any public place, you do sometimes get people drinking and sleeping in the park. In the evening, teens do gather and inhabit it (even after closing). As a result, there is a blanket order that police can order you not to drink in the park, or ask you to leave if you fail to do so. This order's clearly aimed at troublesome and underage drinking, though, and they never bother those just having a quiet picnic.

A nice park tucked away behind Ealing Broadway shops. It's close enough to the shops that in good…read moreweather you can grab a sandwich and then saunter into the park and locate a bench for a leisurely lunch. There is a cafe in the park but it only opens in the Summer. There is an ornamental pond where a variety of ducks and geese hang out, and a walled rose garden. A small area is given over to rescued animals that can't be released back into the wild, the albino squirrel is unusual, there's also an owl, some foxes and pheasants. A playground geared to pre-schoolers is invariably busy. Expect to see dogs being walked, footballs being kicked and lots and lots of squirrels. (Update: the animal section has now closed.)

What a beautiful park…read more I went for the enchanted woodland walk, and it was just lovely. The 2 mile walk takes in some of the highlights of the ground, all decorated with beautiful lights. It was just gorgeous. I did think they should have limited the number of people walking around, perhaps to hourly slots, as it was so busy it kind of changed the atmosphere a little bit. All of the lights and scenes created were so creative and well thought out. Magical for both adults and children. The cutest things were seeing little fairies and pixies dotted around, and little doors at the bottom of trees where little elves must live. I loved it and would highly recommend you visit next winter. I'd really like to go back to the park in the day time for a nice sunny walk!

A lovely park, one of those where you forget you're in London. It's a bit built up and a bit out of…read morethe way, but once you get there, it's really nice. There's a garden centre and a Hilton hotel, as well as lots of park land, grazing cattle, and a fly fishing pond, just to name a few things. Oh, and Syon House, of course! It is, unfortunately, in the flight path - which might be good if you like to look at big planes! It's also near to Kew so while it might not be a place to go for your final destination, it's worth passing through.

Easily the largest park in the Shepherd's Bush/Hammersmith area. Very popular with families and dog…read morewalkers as you might expect. Despite being large it has quite a bit of character and is a much more pleasant walking route from the Ravenscourt Park station to my house than trotting up Conningham Road or whatever other awful roads. They're actually quite nice roads, the whole area is very agreeable and the park is a big contributer to that nice feeling. Good for frisbee.

This is an incredible park…read more Friends and family who visit from outside London are amazed by it. It's like one of those parks you see in old children's picture books. Not just a big expanse of green - though it has that, too - there are lots of winding pathways and a small lake with an island, ducks, swans and geese ...and three separate kids play areas, all with different activities including a zip wire, tyre swings and great climbing frames. There's a huge Paddling Pool and a sandpit. There are dog-free, dog-specific and general areas. Basketball court, football pitch, tennis courts, even a beautifully kept bowling green. And - my favourite - a walled scented garden with shaded benches. This park has everything. Not forgetting the great café, recently taken over by Fait Maison, which does drinks and food, with lots of outdoor and indoor seating and yet another play area. And if the yummy mummyness of that cafe is too much for you, the Ginko garden centre at the south end of the park (yes, it has a garden centre, too) also has a great cafe. And it's right next to Ravenscourt Park tube.

Although the place is really cool, 2 weeks ago we went there again for some well deserved fun in…read morethe sun. Unfortunately, my kid and his friends found a dead bird in the middle of the playground. He was very intrigued and he even picked it up and was swinging the stinky thing around to show me. I know....don't ask... Obviously, I was mortified!! I told the staff about what happened and they weren't very surprised but they said they'll clean it up. Last week we went again and guess what, the bird was still there!! Totally unacceptable! The staff totally ignored that bird, the smell (ugh) or the fact that kids are playing next to a health hazard.

This is the best place to bring your kids on their school holidays! The playground is a charity…read morewhich provides loads of activites in areas such as arts and crafts and cooking. I think this is better for younger kids in your family - the lovely staff here will make them feel so welcome! The outside is very bright and colourful - there are sandpits and lots of play equipment. I think that it's restricted to children who live in the borough, as you have to register to use the park, but if there's room they welcome others! My friend's children love this place and I always enjoy bringing them here!

Home Park is the name given to the area of Hampton Court Palace park which is open to the public…read more It is a large expanse of parkland (over 550 acres) and a perfect place to get some exercise and fresh air, and escape the urban bustle of west London. I've always found it surprisingly quiet - less busy than adjacent Bushy Park or Richmond Park. It is easily accessible from either Kingston-upon-Thames (a 10 minute walk) or Hampton Court railways stations (5 minutes). The area has been a royal hunting ground for centuries, but it was Henry VIII who enclosed the area to form the park as it is now. In 1639 Charles I created the Longford river to bring water to the park, and in 1661 Charles II created the main feature, the "Long Water", effectively a wide ornamental canal, over half a mile long, flanked with a double row of trees on each bank. It was in the park that William III had his riding accident in 1702 (when his horse stumbled on a molehill) from which he died shortly afterwards. The park was opened to the public in 1893 and the golf course opened in 1895. The area south of the Long Water is mostly occupied by the golf course: the park is otherwise a mixture of small wooded areas, ponds and small lakes, and uncut acid grassland; this grassland is home to a wide variety of insects and attracts many different bird species as well as colonies of bats. The park also contains 7,000 trees (including a nationally important concentration of mistletoe, growing on lime trees) and a herd of 300 fallow deer. It is therefore protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Access is through various gates: the closest to Hampton Court is a 5-minute walk along the river bank from the end of Hampton Court Palace bridge. There are also gates along Hampton Court Road and close to Kingston Bridge. There are paths for walkers and cyclists: vehicles are only permitted for those members driving to the golf course. if you are walking in winter, the paths can get very muddy, so waterproof walking boots are advisable. Visitors are advised to stay at least 50 metres from the deer, and to keep dogs on leash when in their vicinity (it is an offence to let dogs approach or chase the deer, and the park noticeboards record a number of prosecutions of dog owners for this, as a warning). Fishing in the ponds and Long Water is strictly by permit only. The park is closed at sundown - closing times are posted on gates, and also on the park website.

This is excellent for children, and adults. Lots of green spaces, children's playing area with…read moreswings and roundabouts. There is a water sprinkler as well. The park is great for a picnic. The park runs alongside a canal. The river has swans and ducks, and is very peaceful. I visit the park at least 2 to 3 times a month with my children. It is also very safe.

Jurassic Kingdom Exhibition…read more My first tip, a big one, is arrive early. We arrived at 10.30 am to find the car park in Osterley Park filling up quickly. We had a few hours of wandering amongst the exhibits without be pushed from pillar to post. When we left, at 1.30 pm the queues at the entrance were long and the carpark almost full. Warning over, the reasons for this overcrowding will be explained in the following review. We were overwhelmed by this exhibit. Initially we wondered if it would be interesting for we 'oldies' and wondered where we could hire a couple of ankle-biters so we would not feel out of place. Our children being of the older age group. Even my grandchildren are 18+. However, those worries disappeared. Seeing those life size animatronic dinosaurs was, I hate the word, awesome. It was great seeing the reaction of the smaller members of each family. They were enthralled. An easy, well signposted, walk around with ample 'educational' signage at each model. We learned that the names had changed over our lifetime. Very interesting to see where in the world, as we know it now, each dinosaur was found. Half way round there was a refreshment area selling hot dogs, noodles, drinks etc etc. A very welcome break for a coke. But carrying on to see more of those wonderful 'models', I was getting to the point of thinking of them being real (think it was the sun and no hat, Sunday was a hot day). At the end there, again, was a watering area and we decided to something to eat. I decided to treat my partner to an al fresco meal. Least I could do. We sat on the grass eating our burgers LOL. I was pleasantly surprised at the prices. Not a fiddle for the captive audience but reasonable prices. Guys, this exhibition will be travelling the UK. Well worth a visit, especially if you have young ones. Prices are reasonable especially the family tickets. Make an effort but, REMEMBER, go early to avoid the rush and enjoy the exhibition. www.lovepopupslondon.com #lovepopupslondon www.jurassickingdom.uk

Osterley Park and House is a National Trust historic property situated near Isleworth about 30mins…read moreaway from Heathrow airport. This fantastic (originally Elizabethan) Georgian House and garden stand in a large parkland. The House was refurbished by the architect Robert Adam in the middle of the 18th Century and claims to be one of the finest examples of his work in the United Kingdom. The house still has original furniture, really amazing ceilings, objects d'art from China and Japan, a fine collection of paintings from the Venetian school. You can walk through the meadow at will or use the paths that have been mown through it and see butterflies, grasshoppers, beetles, etc.. it is very relaxing and particularly enjoyable on a sunny day, There is also a large area of parkland with a lake and some marvellous old trees. They have a cafe and shop onsite also. There is a small admission fee to see the house and the gardens.

Gayle and I took a long walk from our Hilton Paddington Hotel to Holland Park, specifically to see…read moreand enjoy their Japanese (Kyoto) Garden. We were not disappointed. It's a sizable park and feels more like being in a jungle vs. the more manicured London green spaces like Kensington Gardens or Hyde Park. So after our visit to the Japanese Garden, we enjoyed just wandering around and kind of getting lost. We also appreciated the peace and quiet that comes with the relative lack of crowds.

I don't know what to say that hasn't already been said. This picturesque park made my family from…read morethe US feel like we lived in London. There is so much to do, plenty of walking trails and gardens, and somehow it's not a tourist trap in any way. We stumbled upon this park, but in hindsight it should've been a prime destination. It didn't hurt that the weather was absolutely perfect. Oh yeah, and there are sizable playgrounds for kids, some for toddlers and smaller kiddos, and an adventure park for older kids. This park has been one of the highlights of our visit to the UK.

This has to be one of North London's best kept secrets! I can't believe I had never heard of this…read moregarden (even my dad had not heard of it and he grew up near here.) I assume the lucky locals would like to keep this as a secret treasure, but it is too good not to share with yelpers!! The Pergola and Hill Gardens are hidden between Hampstead Heath and Golders Hill Park. The Pergola half of the garden is essentially a long raised walkway, under a long pergola made from wood and stone, covered in gorgeous smelling roses and other climbing plants. The other half of the garden has a large square pond full of lilies, sculptured hills and nice soft grass to sit on and have a picnic. I have a feeling it could be very busy on nice days...but when we visited it all seemed far quieter than Golders Hill Park - even though it is so, so much nicer. Practicalities: - If you don't want to walk, just take the 210 bus and get off at Inverforth House, you can see the signs to the garden. - It's free (!)

This place is beyond beautiful. I'm always surprised when I find places like this in London that is…read moreopen for the general public with no fee. Tucked away on the smaller side of Hampstead Heath, in between Hampstead Heath and Golders Hill Park is this little Gem. Because it's hidden away it's less busy than both the known green spaces. The pergola goes on and on with hidden entrances to the gardens. The gardens all have walk ways for you to meander through them. I can imagine that this place will get used for many photoshoots. You have to be careful you're not walking into someone else's shot. None of the photos or reviews will EVER do this place justice. Trust me and go see for yourself.