So much in one Park!…read more The park is big enough to have get facilities and community without being too tourist. They have a little zoo, a pond with swans, a paddle pool, a little restaurant (that's now been done up), a wood chop running track, picnic areas and wide open grassy areas. They allow dogs, which is great for me. There are also nice little cafes across the road. If you looking for a park to escape the crowds and just to relax, come here

I am lucky enough to live on the border between Islington and Hackney, a location which allows me…read moreto take advantage of both areas. One of the things I love about London is that it's full of green space and this part of town is no exception. Clissold Park is my local park and I take full advantage of its location. The park is great for running, bike riding and walking. It has ponds with various types of birds, for the bird watching set and a cafe for the watch the world go by set. The large green spaces are ideal for a picnics or letting your dog run around and chase things. FYI, because dogs are allowed in the park and not everyone cleans up after their pets make sure you look where you are stepping. In addition to the open green spaces the park is an excellent outing for kids. There are animals in an enclosed area and a play area filled with swings, slides and a juggle-gym. One of the best things about Clissold Park is that it's never so crowded that I cannot enjoy it. In the morning if I'm running in the park, there are other runners but not so many that I have to worry about running over someone or being run over in return. In the summer the park hosts a Circus and various community events. The warm weather brings out picnickers and families, the environment is warm and friendly and you don't have to worry about finding a place to sit or competing with groups wanting to play a game of rugby or football. Clissold is an excellent community park. It has all the amenities a park should offer, including a football pitch and tennis courts. I use the park when it's warm and when it's cold and I'm not alone in that regard.

Great park! There's a grand building at the top of the park, which houses a very modern library…read more Inside the park, there's a cafe which serves some basic sandwiches, soups, and pastries as well as a range of drinks. Very child-friendly - its always filled with kids running around on the weekends. There's a lake in the middle of the park. You'll be hard pressed to find a more lively and kid-friendly park in the area!

This is such a beautiful little park - another hidden gem in Lewisham. It was recently refurbished…read more- to quote the website A successful bid to the Heritage Lottery Board has enabled the restoration of the gardens and its built facilities. Works included the re-establishment of the original vistas from the Manor House, the introduction of a walled flower garden, the restoration of the lake and installation of a fountain. In addition the original ice-house has been restored and is open to the public on request. Other new features include a popular cafeteria, multi-sports ball court and tennis courts as well as a children's playground. It's truly lovely - great playground, a wonderful cafe that also sells handmade wooden toys, a farmer's market every first Sunday of the month and a lovely duckpond. Perfect for riding bikes and scooters. The cafe is situated right next to the playground so the grown ups can sip cappucino while watching the little uns on the swings, slides and climbing frames. Also recommend the crepes - yummy! I can't believe it's took me so long to find it. A real gem.

Probably the jewel in Beckenham's crown and easily the finest park in the area. Like all great…read moreparks, this was originally the landscaped gardens of the Kelsey Manor Estate. Encouraged by the local newspaper, the Beckenham Urban District Council purchased it 100 years ago, saving it from extinction. Built on the River Beck, the large ornamental lakes provide an amazing array of waterfowl that I'd always taken for granted. Maybe it's because I used to be easily scared by Canadian Geese! Apparently, if you want to see Herons in the South East of England, this is the place to go. Alternatively, do what I do and just talk to the Canadian Geese like a madman. Not so scary now, are you? The park is very long, and not very wide in sections, and long walks meander through the trees and over the river. Large lawns provide awesome picnicking and loafing opportunities. What I like about the park is the many elements working together to create a park for all. The Northern sections of the park are quieter, whilst the South East of the park has all the action, with a Children's play area, tennis courts and a recently-refurbished cafe. I really love this park. No, it isn't well-known and you're not going to see it referenced in a movie but it's our St James' Park. And from the amount of use it sees, everybody around here agrees.

I really enjoy coming down to this quaint little park just down from the Natwest in Beckenham high…read morestreet for a bit of parklife in the summertime. The main focal point is a small lake populated by Canada geese and ducks, running down to a small waterfall and stream (no it's not for sale). You can probably walk it in about 15 minutes, but what's the hurry? Loadsa room to find a spot even when its perfectly sunny; I've spent some really lazy summer afternoons here relaxing with friends and a picnic without being bothered by anyone else. There's room for a kickabout or a spot of Frisbee, a couple of tennis courts and a good sized play area etc for the kids to scream and run around in if that's your thing. There's usually an ice cream van in the middle, but I doubt there'll be much need for him in winter.

This park was a very belated discovery for me despite living only 20 minutes away from it. It's…read morelarge enough to pack all the different things it has and yet small enough to not get utterly lost. It has a basketball court, children playgrounds, trails, table tennis tables, cycling track, large swathes of green to pick a spot on and benches everywhere. Literally everything you could want and need in a neighbourhood park! I easily spent half a day here on my own. There are a good mix of people there. I spotted a range from groups of mothers with prams to large groups of teenagers setting up picnics. Great atmosphere even on a Monday morning. If you live in the area, I strongly recommend you check out this park especially now that the sun is coming out!

Really large park, good for after lunch walk. It takes me some time to find the deers. They are not…read moreafraid of people at all.

very nice park with loads of nice trees and a big park wgich is great for kids…read more nice to walk around, very big

went to the park last week with our children and saw the new slide area which is absolutely…read moreterrible. To be able to get up to the slide, you have to crawl through small holes which are very dangerous if you step backwards and forget that it's there.. I'm surprised it's been allowed. Also considering it's near Great Ormond Street Hospital, you would think it was more of an SEN friendly park. Such a shame.

I spent a beautiful Monday at this park with my 2 year old, and I can say -- it was a solid choice!…read more *Only adults with children are allowed in. Seems like a funny rule, but then you realize that if not for it -- this place would be overrun with booze and picnics. So, thanks park people! *It's a privately run park. It's a large expansive square that is entirely closed on each side (comforting for those with toddlers that like to escape). There are multiple play areas for different ages that are fun and have quite a bit to do. My son found his way to the one water portion of the park and sat in it for approximately 3 hours. It was a bit unkept unfortunately, but I blame that more on annoying parents that think leaving their busted pails and spades and water bottles is "helpful." It's not helpful, pick up your shit. The water was kind of gross as it was standing for quite a long time, so while I wasn't thrilled with it for the gross factor, he loved it and they splashed around for hours in the sand and water, so -- there you have it. There's a small cafe within as well -- best for ice cream. I went for a bottle of water and they were "out of water today." I've probably never heard this before. Weird. So, ice cream it is. Overall it could use a bit of a facelift but its a great green space in the city to take the kids!

Hot tip -- this park has a nice little splash pad for the kiddos. It opens around 10am and can keep…read morethe chillins cool and entertained for quite awhile. That's the highlight though -- otherwise the play equipment is a bit sad and tired, completely all in the sun (no shade) and the sandbox is a bit grisly looking. Overall its a really nice park, good green spaces, well kept tennis courts and football areas, lots of dogs and very pleasant. The splash pad in the summer is where its at, get there parents!

Really fabulous local park. It's a patchwork of spaces divided by walls. Several areas are lovely…read morepark: grass, landscaped mounds, trees reaching towards maturity. Other areas contain courts (bookable through http://www.aquaterra.org) , and several children's play areas. There's even one with those fountains where you have to tread on contact points to make them go. Not something to travel miles for, but if you are in the area and need a sit down or something for the kids to do, then it's a little gem.

Really lovely park. After only 10 minutes of being there I had spotted squirrels, pipits, robins,…read moreKingston parakeets, and a couple of lovely woodpeckers. The park has some beautiful old trees, patches of wildlife conservation areas, small areas of wetland where you can see dragonflies and damselflies, and a children's playground. There is a pitch and putt golf course adjoining the park, where refreshments can be purchased. Fox Wood playing field and woodland is also adjoining, and Chatsworth Wood just over the road. The only downside is that there are no toilets.