Watford fields!....You do my heart! Especially when the sun is upon us…read more I've have spent many time quietly romancing my lover, while admiring your evergreen beauty. Not only is it I that is fond of thee, but many come and sit in your lushness enjoying thy beauty amongst friends. Some find senerity in walking their beloved dogs, other while sitting at the benches you provide. Others like more active play..... But I love to behold you. Watford Fields you are truly a blessing to our lovely town and I'm glad to grace you presence.

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.

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.

An idyllic destination a short drive from London, Painshill Park is a great place to spend a day…read moreenjoying the beauty of the English countryside. Created by the eccentric Charles Hamilton, the park was created as a "romantic landscape". Both organized and naturalistic, the park offers many vistas, perspectives and experiences. Created with a variety of follies dotting the landscape, the park offers panoramic views and interesting scenes. Views from the Gothic Temple and the Turkish Tent are breathtaking. While exploring the man-made grotto (which is currently undergoing renovation) you can't help but be in awe of Hamilton's vision while at the same time thinking "This guy must have been totally out there to build stalactites with lathe and plaster and then cover them in pieces of crystal!". Whether walking the grounds, bringing a blanket and a book and enjoying the solitude, Painshill Park is a wonderful place to visit. Be prepared to walk, as the park is large and very hilly. It's a good climb to the top of the Tower as well. Would definitely recommend this if you need a relaxing afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of London.

A grade 1 listed park, much renovated over the last 25 years, by the trust that owns it…read more Created by Charles Hamilton ,in the mid 18th century, after his 2 (obligatory) Grand Tours, he wanted to create an idyllic natural setting, around a lake, with water diverted from the river Mole. He was very succesful in this, and created a number of follies, a Grotto, and the unusual Turkish Tent. Many of the plants are of American origin, and were just becoming fashionable at the time. It's worth remembering it's a park like setting rather than a garden like Wisley. Reasonable cafe near the entrance, and the ever present gift shop. Worth chcking their website for offers, currently free entry on Wednesdays in November, children free at weekends, and A special Santa event. The Grotto is only open at the weekends. A great place for a walk on a sunny day, great views across the lake and Surrey.

Watford needs and deserves a nice park and Cassiobury hits the spot. As well as the plethora of…read morefootball pitches (none seem that big mind), tennis courts, netball courts and cafes there is a really cute miniature railway that the kids will love. The path around the park will take you through some nicer parts and out to the Grand Union Canal where you can watch various people struggle with the locks. If you a right at the toe path you can also wander the 1km or so down to The Grove Hotel which is worth checking out. Every year the park is also host to Watford's Firework display which is free and of a generally high standard.

Cassiobury Park is a really beautiful place and has something for everyone. There is a lot of open…read morespace with shady trees. In the summer the paddling pools are open and the children can paddle in the pools or splash in the fountains. This area is well staffed an supervised by qualified people. The cafe in this area offers a selection of hot and cold food and drinks at reasonable prices. At the far side of the park is a shallow river/ stream that is teaming with fish. This is simply perfect for children's first fishing experience. There is a miniature train and a traditional play ground with swings and slides. It's a great place to take a picnic. I feel safe going on my own with my young children. The parking and pools are free with a small charge for the train.

Beautiful park and well kept walkways !!…read more The dish was lovely and it was great to get out and see the sites of this very picturesque park. The walk past the Abbey / watching families play cricket and soccer or yo just play fetch with their four legged friends ! Highly recommend if you're in St Albans, you make time to walk this lovely park !

To create a park the likes of which any city would be proud you will need:…read more- lots of open grassy spaces on which to run, play games, pick the daisies and eat the picnics - an expansive lake, circumference of a mile or so, capable of supporting many different wading and swimming birds - a river, that would be nice - kids play areas - Roman ruins from the days when the park was the capital of Roman Britain - the oldest pub in England, complete with historic cock fighting octagon - an Abbey Cathedral overlooking the whole thing, dedicated to a local Roman who become England's first martyr - an old water mill that makes a healthy living selling waffles Once you have all that pop it on the edge of a delightful market town and leave to simmer for a few hundred years of R&R for the local populace.

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.

This park offers a great area to get away for many occasions…read more In the center of the park is Summerhouse Lake with ducks and swans gracing the water. The southern end of the park is predominately open fields and the northern half is forested. Throughout the reserve are gates that are designed to not allow cattle to pass through as during certain times of year sheep and cows use some of the areas. In the northeast corner lies a private deer park which can be accessed via the main paved path that runs north to south. There are tens of fallow deer here. On a sunny February day many of them were lined up at the fence to receive the food offerings brough by various children and their parents. They seemed to really enjoy the carrots. If you drive to the park from the stanmore side you may find a place to park off of Old Lodge Way. This park also connects to Harrow Weald Common from the northwest corner. At the top of the Hill lies the the Bentley Priory buildings. The whole park makes a great place to take family for a walk and give the children a chance to really stretch out there legs. http://www.travelnwork.info/2008/02/bentley-priory-nature-reserve-walk-in.html Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZqgStu8OMY

Since moving to the area three months ago, I have made several excursions to the Nature Reserve,…read moreusing bus services to (or from) Stanmore. The most useful was the 142 route (a long route from Brent Cross in the south to Watford Junction in the north). I have tried the Aylmer Drive entrance (twice), the Embury Way gate, the Old Lodge Way entrance, and the Bentley Way Gate. For the Deer Park I initially found the route via Aylmer Drive to be the most interesting as it went through woods and suddenly arrived at the corner of the Deer Park that the deers seemed to find most popular, probably because it was where most visitors congregated to feed them On my second attempt, however, I landed mysefl in a lot of trouble as the ground was very waterlogged and boggy. One reason why my rating dropped a star was because there is a notable lack of signage in the reserve. Although all the maps I have seen show a clear path from Aylmer Drive to the Deer Park, there is no sign to warn walkers that the path may be impassable. Perhaps I took the wrong route, or the true path had become overgrown, but when I tried to find alternative routes back to the main Deer Walk, they all terminated in boggy ground. that small criticism apart, however, I anticipate returning to Bentley Priory Nature Reserve many more times in the future and thoroughly recommend a visit with children who will enjoy both the deers and the walks.

This is a lovely park. we brought our four year old granddaughter and we all loved it. Large grassy…read moreareas for running, picnicking, and playing ball. Playground equipment for kids of all ages and it is right next to Spitalfield City Farm, which is free of charge. You could easily spend an entire afternoon here. Highly recommend this for families with young children.

If there is a magical place on Earth (that is not in Florida, USA), Allen Gardens has certainly won…read morethe title! In one of my walks around Shoreditch/Brick Lane area I stumbled upon this park with a playground for grown ups. I mean, SERIOUSLY? Me and my friend couldn't resist ,and we spent about 2h playing in all the games that were there. A lot of people come to have pic-nics, walk their dogs and play (like me!). The view is quite nice, and you can also watch the London Overground running above you. If you walk all the way till the end, you will face the Hackney City Farm's fence, and you can even see some animals hanging out. Something there is also very curious (but I don't have any information about) is the big house in the middle of the lawn - I'm not sure if someone still lives there, but from far away it looks a little haunted. This garden was for residents use only, but not so long ago, considering the development and growth of the area, it became public. I should have won you with "playground for grown ups", but if I still haven't convinced you this is a nice place, go check! :)