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...

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!

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.

Cannizaro Park is one of Wimbledon's hidden gems. Located a short distance from Wimbledon village,…read moreit is accessed via a short pathway to the side of Cannizzaro House (now a hotel), off West Side Common. The park was originally part of the garden belonging to the house. These were first developed in the 18th century, and between 1785 and 1806, were the residence of the first Viscount Melville, when they were visited by George III and William Pitt the Younger. The house and park take their name from one of the 19th century owners, the Sicilian Francis Platamone. He became the Duke of Cannizzaro, and although he left his wife to return to Italy in 1832, she remained in the house and acquired his title, albeit dropping one of the 'z's. The gardens as we see them now reflect work undertaken by the final owners in the 1940s, and were acquired by Wimbledon Borough Council in 1947. They are now under the care of Merton Borough Council. A "friends group" helps to maintain the garden. The garden itself includes a large lawn at the front of the house, a formal sunken garden, a substantial Arboretum, a small lake, and a woodland walk. It is well known for its displays of bluebells, rhododendrons, Azaleas and camellias in Spring. The gardens are free to enter, and are a lovely place to stroll and wander on a sunny Spring or summer's day.

Met a friend in Wimbledon and we went for a walk in Cannizaro Park - where we got to see a…read morebeautiful aviary and gorgeous trees. This is a sweet little park and I wish I had time to hang out here for an afternoon - it's so different from little parks in London, more rural and "wild" - very enjoyable. Highly recommend bringing a book and a blanket to hang out and enjoy this space if you need an escape from the hustle and bustle.

Probably my favourite park in London because during the week it's much less busy and doesn't…read moreattract as many tourists as Green, Hyde and Richmond Parks. Wide roads/paths for pedestrians and cyclists and beautiful scenery. You can walk through the middle to see lovely trees and benches to relax on, or you can walk along the north side with the park on one side and the Thames and city skyline on the other. Towards the centre there are ponds with some ducks and other birds. Lovely place for dog walking too. There are also a couple of small coffee carts and a restaurant.

Wide variety of activities. Has the Thames on one side, and good neighborhoods surrounding it…read more They have areas for exercise, a peace pagoda, a Go Ape, a lake for boating, a bandstand, and a Children's zoo. I'd guess it is about 1/3 of a mile by 2/3 of a mile. Plenty of places to relax and unwind.

Easily one of the most beautiful spots in London; and I'm not just saying that because it's less…read morethan a 10-minute walk from my flat. Obviously, it shines brightest in the Spring/ Summertime, as that is when everything is in bloom, but I've been here mostly during the Winter months, and it is still a super-chill spot to gaze across the treetops, watch the clouds speed across the sky, and take a stroll through the garden for that much-needed Zen time amidst your busy day. Word to the wise: Bring a beautiful soundtrack along for the walk to enhance the magic. Another perk to this place is that there are a few other parks and even a cafe connected directly to it. Norwood Grove, in particular, is another great place to sit, relax, and watch dogs frolic while their owners get their daily exercise, along with a few families taking in the fresh air. The Rookery Cafe is also a lovely place to visit, especially after your walk through The Rookery. Don't get me wrong, the city is great at all times of the day; but for the perfect midday pick-me-up, I believe there is nothing better than spending some time alone in a beautiful nature-filled space to reconnect with what matters most. Yes, that would be yourself.

This place was BEAUTIFUL! We were here for wedding photos. I was amazed at the beauty of the…read moreplants. Very nice to see the other guests enjoying themselves for picnics and playing with their children.

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.

This is a lovely park. we brought our four year old granddaughter and we all loved it. Large grassy…read moreareas for running, picnicking, and playing ball. Playground equipment for kids of all ages and it is right next to Spitalfield City Farm, which is free of charge. You could easily spend an entire afternoon here. Highly recommend this for families with young children.

If there is a magical place on Earth (that is not in Florida, USA), Allen Gardens has certainly won…read morethe title! In one of my walks around Shoreditch/Brick Lane area I stumbled upon this park with a playground for grown ups. I mean, SERIOUSLY? Me and my friend couldn't resist ,and we spent about 2h playing in all the games that were there. A lot of people come to have pic-nics, walk their dogs and play (like me!). The view is quite nice, and you can also watch the London Overground running above you. If you walk all the way till the end, you will face the Hackney City Farm's fence, and you can even see some animals hanging out. Something there is also very curious (but I don't have any information about) is the big house in the middle of the lawn - I'm not sure if someone still lives there, but from far away it looks a little haunted. This garden was for residents use only, but not so long ago, considering the development and growth of the area, it became public. I should have won you with "playground for grown ups", but if I still haven't convinced you this is a nice place, go check! :)

Gayle and I took a long walk from our Hilton Paddington Hotel to Holland Park, specifically to see…read moreand enjoy their Japanese (Kyoto) Garden. We were not disappointed. It's a sizable park and feels more like being in a jungle vs. the more manicured London green spaces like Kensington Gardens or Hyde Park. So after our visit to the Japanese Garden, we enjoyed just wandering around and kind of getting lost. We also appreciated the peace and quiet that comes with the relative lack of crowds.

I don't know what to say that hasn't already been said. This picturesque park made my family from…read morethe US feel like we lived in London. There is so much to do, plenty of walking trails and gardens, and somehow it's not a tourist trap in any way. We stumbled upon this park, but in hindsight it should've been a prime destination. It didn't hurt that the weather was absolutely perfect. Oh yeah, and there are sizable playgrounds for kids, some for toddlers and smaller kiddos, and an adventure park for older kids. This park has been one of the highlights of our visit to the UK.

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.