Where to begin... do I start with the fact that all the while you are here you are still in south…read moreLondon or do I start with if you just want a bit of tranquillity and don't want to drive for miles this is the place to go. Either one is a good starting point as both are true. The park covers 125 acres 50.59 hectares, yes I did look that fact up but it goes to show how big an area it covers. There are many dog walkers in the park and you can see why as loads of space for the dogs to run around and do what dogs do. Not sure how much picking up of dog mess happens but there are bins a plentiful for them to use. Within the park you will find wet land and a lake area which has seating around it so you can sit and while away some time, although no fishing is allowed... From the top of the hill/viewing mound you get a great view of the extent of the park and also some of the high rises in the distance which remind you that you are in London still. There is a children's play ground (that was undergoing some renovations) wild flower meadows, I understand there is a visitors centre but I think it is for school groups (I could be wrong). I'll finish with the surprising part which is that they have a pitch and putt area for those of you who like a bit of golf but you would need to check the opening hours by contacting the council. Enjoy

you can almost forget that you are in South East London... home to Lake Conan, lovely walks - calm…read more& quiet with a great kids playground... so lucky to have this space in London... It is like being in the countryside - and you can get there by tram which is always exciting!

I appreciate that the London Wildlife Trust has preserved this small slice of woodland from the…read moreencroach of civilization. And it is vaguely wild - there's a decent tree canopy overhead, but very little underbrush. It's not quite large enough to really feel like you're really apart from the city - from several spots, we could see houses and hear noises from the surrounding city. It's worthwhile for locals looking for a spot to walk or run, but in my view, it doesn't justify more than a 5 minutes drive to get here.

Due to time restraints I wasn't able to explore, but the little bit of woods I saw was adjacent to…read moreCox's Walk. According to my map Dulwich Wood is some distance away, but it's what the sign said the website later confirmed my assumption that the wood stretches right across the Northern end of the golf course. I wish I'd had time to explore further what I saw was beautiful. Apparently it's the remnant of a much larger ancient wood. Lovely mature trees, not much undergrowth, views out over London between the trees. A really peaceful atmosphere.

Denying Nonsuch Park a glittering 5 star review would be like denying my childhood. I am hugely…read morebiased when it comes to Nonsuch as my whole life has been so intrinsically linked with it and played out within its parameters. I don't want to sound soppy or cheesy but some of my earliest memories were in this very park: learning to ride my bike and walking our family dogs. I went to secondary school right here in the park (Nonsuch High School) and had our ball (or 'prom' as the new kids call it these days having stolen it from Glee and other American programmes) in the Nonsuch mansion house. Don't tell anyone but it's also where I had my first kiss! In the 16th century Henry VIII, the old rogue, built Nonsuch Palace here, which is where the park gets its name. It stayed in royal hands until Charles II gave it to Barbara Villiers sometime in 1670 and she demolished the palace and sold off the parks to pay off her gambling debts - hmmm, perhaps not the kind of person you should be handing palaces out to, eh Charlie-boy? Only remnants of the palace are left today. This is a HUGE and beautiful park with big open spaces great for dogs, a few dog-free cordoned-off picnic areas, a big mansion house where you can get ice-cream in the summer months or a cup of tea when it's chillier and even a big pond (if you can find it) where as kids my sister and I would come to look at the frog spawn (I have no idea why we found it so fascinating). Round the back of the mansion house there are some beautiful landscape gardens making it a popular spot for weddings. I've also attended a classical music evening in these gardens where you take your own picnic along and it was lovely! Well worth a visit if you're in the area and should be a regular feature if you're a local. I'm telling you, there's 'none-such' like it!

The Park remains the same but the cafe has new management which has changed the offering. The food…read morehas improved and they now serve plenty of great food but, because you are a captive audience, the prices are slightly higher than the food deserves. Of course, they have to cover their costs for running throughout the year not just the summer months and so I pay the extra - but if the prices went up much more, I would start bringing food and having more picnics in the house grounds.

Been here a couple of times for the beautiful views over Surrey, however today was the first time I…read moreenjoyed the trail walk followed by tea and ice cream from the tearoom/urban kitchen. The park is beautiful and has several trails you can complete, I enjoyed a beautiful 2 mile walk through some stunning scenery and woodlands. The terrain is moderate due to all the slopes and hills and unfortunately is not wheelchair friendly due to this plus the ground is very uneven in places. There is a small car park situated next to the tearooms with grass areas for picnics and relaxation. There are a small number of bench tables and chairs and male & female toilet facilities (open from 9-5pm). The tearoom/urban kitchen (open from 9-5pm) is very impressive and has a big selection of food and drink considering its customer base. Food includes sandwiches, toasties, wraps, cakes, ice cream (two dairy free sorbet options too which was most impressive), they even offer £5 meal deals Monday to Friday. They sell the usual hot drinks plus lattes, cappuccinos, herbals and frappes, with free soya or almond milk alternatives, so lots of choice at reasonable prices. I opted for a tea which was served very hot and was most enjoyable after my walk! The area is kept clean and tidy and there are bins dotted around the park including a dog waste bin. An information board gives you local historical information and a map of the trails plus there are leaflets available on other National Trust walks. Would definitely recommend for the beautiful scenery and walks and the nice little tearoom/kitchen.

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.

A nice place with a lovely open scenery for walking but several including one of my children have…read morealmost drowned in the lake after falling over face first into it.... Going to this location I would suggest keeping your kids well away from the lake Also a while back a murderer used the woodland as a hiding place and wasn't found by the police until six days after he was sleeping there... It's s great place but is it a safe place?

The Five Arches is an area of woodland and open grassland so names because of the five arches that…read moremake up the bridge across the river that runs through it. In the summer, children often paddle in the water and throw stones into the water from the bridge. There's also a park for children to play in which has been modernised to include some exciting looking playground toys. The wooded area provides a fun alternative for youngsters wanting to climb amongst the trees and play hide and seek and a local pub, The White Cross, is a great place for a drink and snack afterwards.

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.

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.

When I think of Coombe Wood I think of the times I visited as a young boy with my parents…read more We would go there in the old days when there used to be an old Chinese couple there. The old man furiously calculated everything with an abacus. The enclosed courtyard outside was all a bit gloomy at that time and I remeber the walls having been grown over with ivy and other plants , that partialy covered a massive square tank suspended at the top of the wall. Of which may or may not have at one time have contained water or even oil for heating. Years ago the Park wardens stabled their horses on the site in Stables that were purpose build. They are now store rooms I would guess , along the arcade leading up to the on site Cafe. The cafe there changed hands on and off , and laterly was known as the Pond Cafe and then at this present moment in time called the Coach House Cafe. Croydon council appear to have had their hand in the Coombe Wood cafe. Prices of food are reasonable to just into the short of slightly steep. The Cafe seems to have become the victim of it's own popularity in more recent years. There is still only one till and customers tend to backlog into a short que , waiting to order coffee , cakes or food. Also it seems that the boss himself spends most of his time behind the till itself , which frankly in my mind is unheard of. Tables are often reserved but empty and tables that are used are often not cleared away any where near fast enough , to make room for next prospective customers to sit down to eat. Despite that , food and drink is of V good level. . . Little has changed in recent years as far as the gardens are concerned. Coombe Gardens seems to be the same old familiar , which is good for people to remanisce , but the future has yet to impact on the site. The quality of planting in the rockery by the pond in recent years seems to have seen some improvement , which is good. The small cottage by the rockery now has something to do with the BTCV ( conservation group ) . I recently took a walk around pretty much the whole of the site with my cousin . Walking up and down the anchient pebbles that once used to be an anchient seabed in millenia gone by. Pine trees , Larch , Birch, Beech and a group of Sweet chestnuts nestling in one of the small valleys on the Coombe Wood site , might be worth a look each year around Late October and Early November. I also noticed leaves from ornimental japanese maples in the lower woodlands at the end of the formal borders. I had not realised these were there. If I had been there on previous visits in my youth , I had missed them or not been there at the time of year when they had been if change of colour. I noticed that in parts of the Coombe Wood site that area's of Rhodedendron had been cut down to encourage new rejuvination of future more compact flowering bushes. At the far end of the Coombe Wood site I noticed that at the other side of the fence. That Rhodedendrons were running rampant and were huge and unmanaged. And very little lives under the canopy of dense Rhodie growth. Personaly I can recomend visiting the site in winter months after several nights of frost that has'nt entirely melted. If frost is lingering on your neighbours roof in Croydon and is added to the next night/morning for a few days. Rush off down to Coombe Wood to see the many millions of Ice Crystals that cover the rockery , shrubs , formal borders, outhouse roofs and Rose gardens. Due to The topography of the site and the low posistion of the sun in winter months. The site is a bit of a frost pocket. So take your kids and a Macro Lens camera and show the lttle ones the beatiful seasonal show of shiny clear bar like growth crystals , or sometimes white Dog tooth shaped formations. The crystals depend on the moisture in the air , atmospheric conditions and the severity of the cold. For me 2001 was a good year. I also visited again in 2007 and now 2012. Also if you can catch the frost covering everything and the light right in the rose garden , the sun shines colour through the old fashioned Pampas grasses. Also if your lucky you might see one of the nearby houses many Black cats. I saw one the other day and he was glancingly friendly. . . Regds Jonathan Moore - Ex Postie rider Jon . expostieriderjon@yahoo.co.uk

I absolutely love Coombe Wood, but the cafe is disappointing. I ordered a piece of cake there…read morerecently, and it was barely edible.

Morden Hall Park is probably one of my favourite parks in the local area. I grew up around the…read morecorner and would often frequent it with my friends or to ride my bike as a child. It is a National Trust park, spanning from Morden through to Mitcham, and you could even walk it as the paths are clearly signposted for one to follow. The park also boasts a large garden centre and a lovely little cafe with a National Trust shop attached. The River Wandle runs through it and in summer you will find children in the streams, fishing or playing. There is also a cute little flower garden which is maintained all year round.

We were in Wimbledon for a car test drive but wanted to walk our dog too so did a quick google…read moresearch and this National Trust property came up. It's beautiful! There's a garden centre and a couple of cafes (though I did find the food at the Potting Shed cafe rather disappointing and tasteless if I'm honest). They've got 'wilder' bits with long grass for dogs to run around and a rose garden (not blooming yet but looking forward to seeing it in the summer) and mowed areas perfect for kids to run around. There are streams running through the park and lovely white bridges. It really is picturesque and not at all what I was expecting to find. The dog loved it too!