An incredible place to be at one with nature in an otherwise busy part of London. Not too difficult…read moreto get to by public transport but by car or bike it's easier. Parking isn't free and the roads around it are for permit holders only. I recommend a visit to the farm shop which ia halfway down towards the park. The House is worth a visit too, the Etruscan Dressing Room is my favourite. The café and shops are great too. I recently had a pot of Assam and a scone with a friend. The scone was a little hard on the outside but tasted fine. I had to pay extra for jam, which annoyed me a little since I think it should have come with it.

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

I walked through this park on my first day in London. I was very intrigued with the different flora…read moreand fauna in the area. Pelicans, fowls, colorful birds are native to the park. It is such a serene walk, as there are no cars coming in and out of the area. There are bicyclists in the area but they don't do much to deter walkers. This park is right across from the popular Buckingham palace and offers a great view of the guards.

We walked thru St.James Park on our way to Buckingham Palace. This is the oldest Royal Park in…read moreLondon. Over 57 acres with a small lake,it borders Buckingham Palace and the Clarence House. Many benches through the park as well as a nice kids play area. We loved watching all the various ducks and other waterfowl in the lake.

From being a child this has been one of my favourite places on a summers day. Sleeping with…read morefriends, during the Richmond Festival, as a teenager..under the terrace ..we were awoken by police dogs and I hopped in my sleeping bag with a snapping one at my errm rear! On the west, rising above the river are the Terrace Gardens: these gardens were laid out in the 1880s and extended down to the River Thames some 40 years later; the broad gravel walk along the top is earlier and the view west towards Windsor has long been famous. Laid out in the 1700s, the Terrace Walk towards the end of the 20th Century was in need of upgrading. The famous View from Richmond Hill was protected by an Act of Parliament in 1902 and it was this Act which provided the catalyst for the development of the London's Arcadia project. Works carried out during Phase 1 include resurfacing and re-grading of the walk, restoration and repainting (though not repositioning) of the railings on the road side by contractors. The railings along the hedge side were restored over a six week period by prisoners on day release from Latchmere House Prison. Magnificent Lime trees have been planted to 'gap-up' the historic avenue of trees on the Terrace and at the top of Terrace Fields. Richmond Terrace Walk is listed as Grade II* in the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest The Terrace Gardens and adjacent Terrace field, overlooking the River Thames, were formerly brick works. During the 18th century various noble owners had fine houses erected, all now sadly demolished. Some features of the gardens' history remain, including the re-sited statue of the River God and an ice house set in the slope to the rear of the thatched summer house. The Terrace Gardens, Petersham Road, are famous for their seasonal bedding, shrubberies, rockery and rose garden, all set amongst fine trees and sloping lawns. Close to the main entrance in Petersham Road is a conservatory with tropical plants. To get an idea of why the landscape here is considered so special, you should pause at the top of Richmond Hill, above the pretty Terrace Gardens. Below you the Thames curls, serpent-like, amid trees casting long shadows in the silvery water. You can pick out the roof of Ham House through the greenery and, away on the horizon, Box Hill and the Surrey Hills. So celebrated is this view that they passed an act of parliament in 1904 to protect it from development - it's the only protected view in England. The legislation was the first-ever piece of environmental planning, and a plaque on the hill commemorates the passing of the act. JMW Turner painted it, and the poet Alexander Pope waxed lyrical about it, as did Sir Walter Scott, who described it in his great novel The Heart of Midlothian (1918). Petersham Meadows, periodically grazed on by herds of cattle, as they have been for centuries. That willow-fringed island to your right is Glovers Island, one of a series of picturesque islets that dot this stretch of the Thames. On the balustrade seating area (where we slept) on the top terrace is a formal pool with its modern statue of Aphrodite (affectionately known as Bulbous Betty). Take a look at the watchmans hut. Built in 1887, the Terrace Gardens Hut has survived for more than 115 years against all odds. The wooden hut represents a sophisticated and exceptionally rare architectural style Anglo-Japanese. The style was briefly current during the years of the Aesthetic Movement of the 1870s and 1880s the era of the Mikado and Walter Pater's 'Art for Art's Sake'. The modest Terrace Gardens Hut is one of the only surviving structures that can properly be described as 'Anglo-Japanese' Other features of the Terrace Gardens Hut, however, are decidedly not Japanese not surprisingly, since it was the product of an eclectic era. The tiled roof is an interesting feature; the tiles are made of a lightweight metal, possibly zinc, and are likely to have been manufactured according to a long-forgotten patented system. The diagonal tongue-and-groove panels on the door are typical of 'reformed gothic' design of the 1860s and 1870s. Remains of the wrought-iron fixings for a notice possibly enamelled that announced the purpose of the hut, are still visible on the apex of the roof. Go stroll..take a picnic..eat in the cafe..have a pint close by but don't miss it.

Terrace Gardens is an openly accessible, fairly expansive public park area close to Richmond Centre…read moreand separated only by a road from the Thames and the promenade. You will find a small café there, and large flower beds are spread over the whole area. Nice and quiet, ideal for an evening walk or to escape the bustle and noise of the city. Lovely.

Greenwich park is a huge beautiful park with sprawling greenery and walking trails, perfect for…read morepicnics, taking your dog out, and just enjoying the scenery. Speaking of the scenery, Greenwich park probably has the best view of the city skyline in my opinion.

This is a gorgeous park in close proximity to the Maritime Museum. We were in the area and decided…read moreto take stroll around. There were lots of people and dogs enjoying the gorgeous day. If you make the short walk to the top, the view really is quite incredible. Very clean and worth the walk through if you're close!

Thoroughly enjoyable visit whilst having a few days in the lovely county of Kent. This was built as…read morea moated manor back in 1262 and held by the de Passele family who sold it to the Boleyns, (Bullens), in 1453. The gardens are so well laid out and has so much interest.....especially in Art and Sculpture areas. The whole place has a calming and soothing effect on the soul...!! Highly recommended is the Café, which is well stocked with delicious temptations and, more importantly, not outrageous in price!! There are exhibitions of floral and botanical art in both the Cafe and Gift shop....good place to buy up well grown plants for your garden. A really nice day out, but could be seen as a bit pricey....ie £9.50 adults..£5.00 for children.. Disabled visitors well catered for with sloped gravel paving. Picnic area with tables. Free car parking...no dogs.

A sorry to say this garden is not for me I simply disliked…read morethe statues and silly carvings Totally unnecessary The veg garden was beautiful though '

From where we stayed in Notting Hill, we were a very short walk to Holland Park…read more We entered through Holland Walk and headed to the Dutch Garden first, where thousands of tulips were starting to bloom. It was a bit early in the season so the garden was not nearly as beautiful as it might have been just a week later. This year, the color theme was primarily purple and yellow and those were the tulips not fully bloomed. A garden plot with vibrant red tulips that were in full bloom was very pretty! After, we walked onto the Kyoto Garden, which was much more congested because it is a picturesque spot. There is a walking path around a pond with a key photo spot being the waterfall. The tourists queue up in one line clockwise to take photos at the waterfall. Oddly, there are some walkers that are clearly frustrated by the presence of visitors and insist on walking counter-clockwise through the visitors. We exited on Abbotsbury Road, on the opposite side of the park. It was a nice 1-2 hour excursion, a nice walk and recommend it!

When we visited London a few weeks ago, my husband and I spent a day exploring Kensington. I'm glad…read morethat that included a visit to Holland Park, a gorgeous little park in the area. The park contains a cafe, formal gardens, a playground, murals, a giant chess set, and more. We took a stroll through the park, visiting the Dutch Garden and Kyoto Garden. Kyoto Garden was the highlight of our time in the park - the tiered waterfall, koi fish, and peacocks made for some beautiful photographs. It was such a relaxing way to spend some time and stretch our legs between house tours in the neighborhood!

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.

Queen's Gardens is a very pleasant green oasis adjacent to the Town Hall in Croydon, and just a few…read moreminutes' walk from the busy shopping centre. It is popular with office workers, and for wedding photographs for those undertaking Civil Ceremonies in the Town Hall, but not that well known to many of the visiting shoppers, who never stray this far. It is a mix of lawns, formal borders and a more informal sunken garden, complete with palms. It has an interesting history: the 'sunken' gardens to the north of the site were formed from the railway cutting which led to the former Croydon Central railway station. During the early days of the railways, the two current stations, West Croydon and East Croydon were built by the London and Croydon Railway (1839) and the London and Brighton Railway (1841) respectively, but the townspeople felt neither station was conveniently sited for the town centre. This pressure led to the authorisation in 1864 of a short branch line from East Croydon station to a new station on the site of the present Town Hall, which duly opened as Croydon Central station in 1868. It was a spacious two-platform terminus, handsomely provided with an Italianate station building in brick. Alas, with a meagre service of just 12 trains a day, passengers found it easier to use the other two stations, and the service ceased in 1871. After pressure from the Council, a service was reinstated in 1886, (this time as 'Central Croydon') but this too lasted only until 1890, when the station closed for good. But one advantage of the legacy was that it provided a large, consolidated site for redevelopment. The Council used this opportunity to build the original Town Hall, Courts, a Police Station and Public Library. The sunken garden was constructed in the cutting and opened in 1896. In 1968, the lawns facing Taberner House were laid out, which at that time remained separated from the sunken gardens by Mint Walk and the Victorian Police Station. The Police Station was demolished in 1980, and the two sections of garden joined together as we see them now. They were opened by the Queen on 21st June 1983.

I was so pleased to discover this small area with urban gardens right in the heart of Croydon…read more Opened by the Queen in 1983 it has blossomed ever since. At one of the weddings I attended, we came down here for photo shoots. With the vast array of beautiful flowers amidst a beautiul fountain, this garden truly represents what tranquility and serenity one can find in the open. As I sat on the bench, I imagined myself coming down there again, to bask in the lovely sunshine and soak in the pleasant scents of the colourful flowers overlooking me. It even gets more attractive because there are a bit more private areas the next level below, like (its like a one storey plan) and you can enjoy a lovely novel in the more shaded areas or for those serenaders, its a nice place too. You cannot miss it. It's just right across the Registry.