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 London's version of Central Park only much grander and more natural and rustic feeling…read more Think wild blackberries along the trail's edge, three ponds, dogs galore, picnics around every corner, tennis courts, fenced in kids areas and more. The 300+ hectares (looks up conversion ) Also features woodlands, meadows, grassy lawns and paved trails. It's a London treasure and certainly worth a stroll and picnic. The surrounding neighborhood is filled with beautiful homes and fun shops.

Given my slight fetish for nature and all things fantasy, Hampstead Heath was my very first…read moreexperience in a real London park where I realized I felt more at-home here than in any tropical beach. As such, this ginormous park/ part-forest holds a special place in my heart. The best times of the year to roam its rolling landscape- which isn't always the easiest to walk through given its steep hills- is between late Spring and the Fall months, as the leaf-laden trees add a lush and secluded feel to its denser areas; it's kind of like stepping into a fairy tail. If you've never been, make sure you keep track of where you came in, as it can be pretty easy to get lost here the first few times, and all that walking can get pretty exhausting if you're not used to it. I do love me a little adventure, though; and there are uglier places to be lost in. Once it stops raining for a few weeks and the mud becomes hard enough to sit on, this spacious park becomes a hot-spot for picnicking and sunbathing; especially during the weekends. So, bring a blanket, some food, and maybe a dog, and you have yourself the perfect Sunday. A huge plus is the restaurants and pubs near the Parliament Hill Fields entrance to the park, where you can get everything from food and booze, to gelato and coffee (the good stuff); so even if you're too lazy to cook- like me- your wallet's got you covered. Keep in mind, driving and parking in London sucks, and this place is no different. The number 88 bus takes you right to one entrance of the park, and I'm sure there are others on the other side that can get you close enough to walk the rest of the way. It doesn't get much easier.

As far as local parks close enough to walk in Harlesden, Roundwood is tops on the list…read more A year-round escape from the concrete, you'll enjoy tree-lined strolls of a mile or so, interrupted by fun birdhouse visits, hilltop views, or sportsball courts. Another former-landfill green space, with 100 years to mature, it provides a nice mix of sun and shade depending on the weather. The super-old-school Victorian structure at the entrance adds to the charm, where you'll often find roller-skaters or dancers enjoying their portable speakers. The cafe is lovely for a stop or to-go for your stroll. Keep an eye out for semi-famous local artists who also frequent the space. (If you see a younger William Dafoe, don't get too excited, it it's just his alleged doppelgänger--me). Smaller tikes will love the playground area, offering a safer spot when not riding their trikes around the .7 mile perimeter path. Park open/close times vary with the seasons, but essentially it's dawn-dusk most months. I'll return often.

Lovely park just a bus ride away. The small cafe sometimes has sunday markets that sell handmade…read morethings. Just a nice green space near by neighborhood.

I don't know how anyone could have anything negative to say about Primrose Hill. Perhaps I'm biased…read moreas it's the closest park to me (Hampstead Heath being the second) but I just find it so idyllic. On a warm day you'll find many people having picnics, walking their dogs, or just enjoying the view. There are also many cafes and shops within walking distance, so if you find you want something to eat you can easily get to a cafe in 10-15 minutes walking. I personally recommend Lemonia or Alma for a nice lunch. Overall I think Primrose Hill is magical and I will spend every possible second of free time I have there

An amazing spot for a picnic or even to just watch the sun rise or set. Being on the hill gives you…read morean amazing view of the city skyline and it's just so beautiful!

Adding to the win column that Holland Park has racked up, you shouldn't miss Kyoto. Slow down to…read moreexamine everything: there are so many intricacies that it's worth a second time around on this or a repeat trip. Try not to drop your phone into the pond along the journey (no I didn't) as you'll want to capture so many unique views. We're fortunate to be a walk away to return often. I think it's a good idea to go clockwise if you don't want any condemning stares (don't worry nobody will say anything they're all too polite). Say hello to the birds hanging out as well, or to me, the one without the condemning stare if you walk counterclockwise.

Now it makes perfect sense for a Japanese-American to gravitate toward a Japanese garden when…read moretaking a trip abroad, don't you think? Gives me a touch of the motherland. Well, Jamie W and I ventured over to Kensington to spend the day at the parks starting with the 55-acre Holland Park, a charming oasis of greenery. The main lure if you ask me (of course) was this oasis within the oasis It was a gift to London from the city of Kyoto back in 1972. Neither the cherry blossoms nor the irises were in bloom, but the design aesthetic still entranced with ponds, peacocks (photo: https://yelp.to/6qYhFeQHNi), lanterns, and quite a spectacular waterfall considering it was manmade (photo: https://yelp.to/t1m2npR4tC). Quite tranquil and lovely. RELATED - Exploring London? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3zFACrx

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.

Nan has a dog names Brooke. I call her Bubbling Brooke, meaning her love bubbles over like a…read morestream. I also call her sweet bitch, nut for tatties and all sorts of names. Nan has a wicked sense of humour and just laughs. I take Brooke to Mill Hill Park to do her tatties. If you don't know tatties means "walks". To go tatties, means to go for a walk. Brooke loves to run around here. Mill Hill is a largish park predominated by green open space. There is a small cafe that does nice hummus and a wilderness bit where you can let your dog chew and run free in the long grass. The people who come to this park are nice and usually rather mid to upper middle class, given the area, I am a snob, no bones about it. There is also a path around the center of the park to cycle on and a place to play that pensioner-type bowling game. Take your dog tatties here!

The park has been around since the 1500s and is nearly 350 acres. I've visited a couple of times…read morebut don't think I'll ever be able to cover it all. Artwork throughout the park as well as memorials. On our first visit we saw war memorials. There's one for Princess Di as well. You can swim in the lake (I've not done that...yet). Another green space offering serenity from the hustle and bustle of a big city.

On our last full day in London, we spent the day at Hyde Park, one of London's most famous public…read moreparks. We purchased sandwiches at Harrods Food Hall, and ate our lunch in the park (we also purchased some beer and wine at a cafe in the park). It was a beautiful spring day, not too hot, not too cold -- just perfect. While we didn't see the entire park (at 350 acres, that would be impossible), we had a great day -- Hyde Park was one of the highlights of my time in London. We spent the majority of our time in Hyde Park watching the birds at the waterfront. I'm not a bird expert, but I saw at least nine different kinds of birds: swans, geese, Canadian Geese, ducks, seagulls, herons, pigeons, starlings, and crows. And further in the park, we saw parakeets. The diversity was amazing! If you're in London, Hyde Park is a MUST MUST MUST SEE! It also makes for an inexpensive day. Other things to note: you must pay to use the toilet, but it's only 20p. However, you can't pay by cash, only by credit card (which was fine by me, as I hate cash), and unlike Amsterdam, which charged €1, the washroom was CLEAN (there was an attendant). While I'm not a fan of paying to use the washroom, at least it was cheap (unlike Amsterdam), clean (unlike in my city or Amsterdam), and hassle free (unlike Amsterdam). [Yelp collections: Europe 2024; London, England; Parks and Gardens]

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.

Love this park. Not with standing that it has a pitch and putt, or that it was the first place to…read morebroadcast TV wit the BBC, or that it had an ice rink, or that it has a pub on top, or that it holds beer and food events, specialised farmers markets, good runnings paths, is part of running events, as well as international tournaments like the Darts or the Snooker...it has for me one of the best views of London! With it being perched so high you can see all of London. The North's version of Crystal Palace. It's a good walk around for a Sunday too. I really like going there to unwind and chill. Summer it is busier of course and that's when it comes into its own. Lovely. We are lucky in London to have such great green spaces.

Lovely space. There is a nice cafe in the Grove (close to Muswell Hill entrance), a playground…read more(close to entrance at the end of Dukes Avenue and near to Alexandra Road). On Sunday there is usually a Farmer's Market (entrance on Muswell Hill and Priory Road). Behind the palace there is also a boating lake and another café. We go there every week and the kids love it!