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.

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.

Alice Holt is an amazing and large place for long walks, adventure play park for the kids, Go-Ape,…read morecycle hire and large lake and cafe area...great to go on a sunny day! Lots of different walks can be taken with a Stick Man walk for the little ones! Play park is great and can be difficult getting the younger members of the family out! There are picnic benches along the way, with some great view points too...as its large you don't feel on top of everyone on a busy day...although parking can take a while, so be aware!

A forest owned by the Forestry Commission I had to add a positive review for this place becuase…read morethey were the last place in Farnham to have Christmas trees when I left it too late. It is a lovely day out with paths and walks to suit all ages and abilities - including wheelchair friendly. It also has a cafe and plentiful parking. There are climbing frames for kids in addition to the Go Ape centre within the forest which is for big kids (death slides, assult courses etc). A good picnic location as well as a place to get Christmas trees.

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.

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.

I've been visiting California Country Park since I was a small child, and I still find it as…read morebreathtaking as I ever did. The forest is enchanting, with ferns and moss clearings, the nature trails are incredible, winding through the hidden bogs and woodland, and the lake is beautiful, teeming with fish and birds. Bring the children to feed the swans, meet the baby ducklings and play in the log themed playground, complete with zip line and a paddling pool in the summer. Have a cup of coffee, slice of cake or ice cream at Jackson's Cafe, and wander the park, breathing in the fresh air of true nature. It is one of my favourite places in the world, I hope you enjoy it just as much.

Priory Park really is the jewel in Reigate's crown. It seems to stretch on forever, and has…read moresomething for everyone. The vast grassy area is often busy with football games, but there's plenty of it if you, your children, or your dog want to just have a run and play in the grass. The lovely sunken garden has a beautiful fountain, and is a really nice place to sit. There is also now a cafe, which looks lovely, but I've never been in. Continue down the path and you'll find the playground, delightful for older kids, but I must emphasize that the council really missed a trick here. I actually avoid the playground, especially when I'm alone, as there are multiple exits, a nightmare when you've got more than one young child to look after. Also, the play area doesn't have much for the little ones and you spend most of your time trying to keep them from killing themselves on the equipment meant for older kids. It's just not fun for the little ones to be constantly told no, no, no, or the parents who feel on edge the entire time. Further down you'll find a beautiful pond, filled with ducks and swans, made MUCH safer during the recent refurbishment, with only two small areas left unfenced along the pond to feed the ducks. Before you'd spend far too much time pulling the little ones away from the edge. Now, I enjoy going and having a stroll around the pond, confident my kids are safe. If you're feeling really adventurous, there are plenty of trails for physical abilities of all types. You could (and we have) wander for hours through the woods.

It is the oldest botanical garden here in London. There are…read morelots of different kinds of plants from all over the world. Some are edible, some are medicinal and some are just common plants that you may see everywhere.The garden has a variety of medicinal plants from all over the world that can heal from a simple sickness up to serious illnesses like breast cancer. There is a cafe on site to take some break. Best place to relax with great surroundings.