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.

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]

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!

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.

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.

Everyone Far East as bricklane must have heard of Victoria park! If they haven't then I must…read moreenlighten briefly. It is a huge park, that if you were to traverse the outer path you'll have walked 5Km doing that one circuit. It was named in honour of our queen Victoria herself. It stands proudly in East London, underneath the fine borough of hackney and above tower hamlets! It's my favourite park in London, if not the world! It's not particularly crazy in design or has architectural or agricultural delights or even much elevation, however it's just perfect. On a fine sunny day, the park screams community, relaxation and escapism from the bustle of the city. I run around the park 2-3 times a week and never get tired of it. It makes me breath fresh air and the people there are lovely! Please go to the park and treat it some respect as it will certainly treat you with a wonderful experience, right back at ya!

After much construction over the last year, the park is starting to come into its own again. I…read morelove this place! Beautiful tree lined paths to walk down, lovely ponds and water features that attract wonderful wildlife, so many places to just...chill. Just about the only sizable park I know of east of The City. Tasty cafe's and shops to pop into on Lauriston Road after a nice walk in the park. Enjoy!

Gladstone is a nice reprieve from the crowds, with peaceful paths winding up and around trees and…read morehills with scenic views. Visit the cafe and grab a seat on a bench to watch the world go by, and return often morning or afternoon throughout the seasons. You'll have plenty of shade if it's sunny, and space to enjoy the sun on a grassy knoll. I'll return weekly, at least, for my morning run.

Lovely park down the street from me. There's a community…read morecenter attached that has a great yoga class and a small gym. There's a coffee shop hidden beyond a walled garden at the top of the hill (you gotta work for that latte gurrlll). And two, count em, TWO different playgrounds. lots of lovely grass to lounge and be one with nature. or enough space to get away from the yummy mummys enjoying the facilities at well.

You'll always have a lovely time at Queen's Park. Whether it's a stroll around the shady perimeter…read moreor enjoying the sometimes sun, be sure to step into the beautifully manicured corner garden for some peaceful bench-sitting and flower-gazing. The kiddos will like the sheep, goats, and fowl in the mini-zoo (parts of the year), in between playground and football. The cafe is quaint and nice for settling in with a drink and snack, or catch Shakespeare in summer. And they have tennis courts. So I'll see you there next time

I'm so lucky to have so many open spaces close to where I live. Queens Park is within walking…read moredistance, and a great place to visit during the summer months. This park comes under the City of London park group. Like Primrose Hill it is nowhere near the city, so I can't understand the connection. It is larger than it looks as from the road it looks more like a large urban square. It has plent of facilities, including a paddling pool, tennis courts, a band stand, play ground with sand pit and probably most surprising; it has a 9 hole 'Pitch and Putt' golf course. It aslo has a cafe in the centre, with plenty of outside seating available, both in the sun and shade. They do not allow cycling in the park, nor people having a BBQ. This park aslo holds festivals during the summer months. It can get really busy during the summer if the weather is nice, especially when the schools break out. I would recommend anyone to pay it a visit, especially if the weather is nice.

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.

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