this is a long 2 1/2 acre rectangle of formal, daisy-spotted lawns subdivided with a regular…read morepattern of straight and circular paths. The gardens are within walking distance from Trafalgar Square towards the River Thames (via Northumberland Ave) or the Hungerford or Jubilee Bridges that cross the River Thames. It is just one of the gardens that form the Victoria Embankment Gardens, which were created in 1864 following Sir Joseph Bazalgette's embankment of the Thames. The building that faces the garden provides an architectural backdrop that transports you to the French countryside. This Grade-l listed building is reminiscent of a French Chateau Many people promenade alone or in pairs, or jog, or sit and relax. Neighboring the River Thames and Victoria Embankment Gardens, Whitehall Garden is yet another testimony to London's interesting and magnificent culture. It is the ideal place to relax and enjoy both the incredible monuments and the colorful, blooming flowers.

Stumbled upon this park/garden while roaming the streets of London. It was so beautiful. The flower…read morebeds were the most breathtaking views ever. I've never seen anything like this in the states. Most of the parks I've been to in the states are filled with playgrounds, sports field, hiking trails and just grass; no extravagant or vibrant flowers.

Small and unassuming, King George's Park certainly isn't a destination…read more But that means that there's more park for me and other locals without the rest of London there. The park's main draw for me has been the ten well-maintained and secluded tennis courts that cost £6 per hour during peak times. Although the courts aren't flood-lit, which means no tennis matches through the evening or during after-work hours in the winter are to be had. Also, there's a bowling green at the park, if you're into that sort of thing. The grounds throughout the park are well maintained, and the River Wandle borders it to the East, creating quite a picturesque little area. And so far I've done the adult thing and avoided the playground for big kids, despite its enticing monkey bars and climbing structures, but mostly this is because it's socially unacceptable for me to interact with ten-year-olds during the day and the gangs of teenagers who loiter in the playground after dusk intimidate me. Yes, I'm easily intimidated by packs of 16-year-olds in hoodies. Aren't you?

This park is really simple, there's not much to it compared to other fancier parks in and around…read moreLondon, but you know what? I really think this park rocks. It's usually quite quiet, which is what I value the most as I hate lots of rowdy folk infesting parks in the summer time. I've often sat with friends here, made a little picnic and watched locals fly kites, walk their dogs and play with their kids (not all at once mind you!). The park has a real family feel to it and it's just so serene. It may not be big and fancy but it's definitely the park for me being so calm and unpretentious. One of my favourite places i the summer time...

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.

Clapham Common is one of the more "commonly" known commons in London. I used to live really close…read moreby when I first arrived in London so used to frequent the common quit often. In the summer the common gets super busy with people chilling out in the sun. There are also fin fairs and music festivals here too. I'm not the world's biggest fan of this place. I just find the park a little busy in the summertime for my liking but it's still a nice place to hang out if you have to. I'd say places like Battersea Park have a little more class and something a bit different to offer, as it stands, Clapham Common just seems like a big bit of flat land to me for people to get drunk and lie on, that's really all...

One of London's great open spaces, no summer is complete without at least one day spent sunning…read moreyourself on the common. This is a much more open and unrestricted space compared to many of London's parks but then it is a common, which has different laws governing it and is, by definition, supposed to be freely accessible at all times. With Clapham Old Town and High Street nearby there are plenty of amenities if you want to have food or drink whilst sunning yourself, as well as bars and pubs for when it gets chilly. For me the one drawback is Clapham itself; far too white, middle class and with some pretty obnoxious people but then, when the time comes to leave the common you can always take the tube or a bus somewhere a bit more vibrant and interesting.

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.

This park is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!! It's pretty small and walkable in around 30-45 minutes if you…read moretake a slow stroll and look at all the animals that are in the park. There's a small pond that freezes over in the wintertime, and the ducks just hang out and sit over the ice, it's pretty funny and cute :) There's a small section with a deer enclosure, tennis courts, croquet lawn, golf practice nets, zoo and even a butterfly house!!! It's pretty crazy, it's almost like a small zoo! In the spring time, there are yellow and white flowers that bloom all over the lawns and it is absolutely breathtaking! I run through this park 2-3 times a week and am always shocked by how beautiful it is! It's attached to Hampstead Heath, and Hampstead extension is about a 3 minutes jog from it as well, if you are looking for a longer distance. Also if you want something more secluded, there's a whole section with tall trees and dirt trails that you can totally get lost in. Families often take their kids to walk about the park, even in the winter time! The grass freezes over and I had no idea frozen grass could be so beautiful! This park is also perfect in that there's a cafe with delicious food, drinks, cakes, and ICE CREAM you can relax in that overlooks the park with giant windows! It can get quite busy on a nice day around 10am, but if you come a bit earlier, it 's really quiet and quite nice to have the place to yourself. There's no wifi but you can bring a book and settle down with a cup of coffee! There is also an ice cream truck that parks pretty close to the cafe most times during the spring as well. I am so grateful to be living within walking distance to this park! I haven't seen it in the summertime yet, but I can imagine it to be glorious!!!

A lovely little park just off Hampstead Heath. I'm always surprised about how big it is. It's got a…read morebeautiful garden area, a fun playground area for kids, a little cafe and a small zoo to name a few things. I've been about half a dozen times and it's never been that busy compared to other London parks. Well worth the visit

Hyde Park is a lush park that we strolled through on our way to Buckingham palace. My American…read morecousin and I remarked how green the trees and grass were. Such a culture shock to us since we are from Phoenix, Arizona (the desert). I'd definitely return and hope for better weather next time, though the trees did shield some rain.

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]

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.