Parks and the outdoors in London

Parks and the outdoors in London

1. SeeCity of London

   20 Fenchurch Street

   The Sky Garden

   The unusual "walkie scorchie" profile of this skyscraper by Rafael Vinoly has seen it grab the headlines, as did the "death rays" caused by the sun's heat reflecting off the building onto the street below when it was first completed; car tyres melted and burst, and at least one man fried an egg using only the heat from the walkie talkie. Visitors can access the sky garden to see a magnificent view over the City and beyond; it's the only place you can't see the tower from! Online booking to visit during the day is essential. Alternatively, you can eat at one of the restaurants in the evening.

   Sky garden: Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM, Sat Sun 11AM-9PM·Sky garden free

2. SeeSouth Bank

   Archbishop's Park

   This park used to be the grounds of Lambeth Palace but has been a public park since 1901. In addition to the green space it provides, it contains a range of sports facilities (booking required, except for the cricket nets) and a playground.

   7:30AM–15 minutes before sunset

3. SeeWandsworth

   Battersea Park

   A lovely park on the southern banks of the Thames known or its wildlife and some splendid examples of mature trees.

4. SeeBloomsbury

   Bedford Square

   This wonderful square was built between 1775 and 1783 as an upper middle class residential area takes its name from the Dukes of Bedford, who were the main landlords in Bloomsbury. Distinguished residents have included Lord Eldon, one of Britain's longest serving and most celebrated Lord Chancellors. This is one of the best preserved set pieces of Georgian architecture in London and the majority of the buildings are grade I listed. The gardens are private and always remain locked - there are no 'open days'.

5. SeeBloomsbury

   Bloomsbury Square

   This garden square was established by Lord Southampton in 1665 and is the oldest square in London. It was opened to the public in the 1950s. The square is surrounded by a number of beautiful 18th- and 19th-century buildings and terraces.

   Dusk-dawn·Free

6. SeeCamden

   Camley Street Natural Park

   A 2-acre nature reserve amid the industrial wasteland just north of King's Cross Station. This lovely little park gives visitors interested in nature the opportunity to learn about the work of the London Wildlife Trust who administer this and 26 other reserves in London. This is the only one in the centre of the city.

   10AM-5PM daily

7. SeeBloomsbury

   Coram's Fields

   A park which is run as children's play area. Facilities include a pet's corner, lawns, sports pitches and a nursery. No adults are allowed to enter the park unless they are accompanying children. All visitors are welcome to join the local kids.

8. SeeCovent Garden

   Covent Garden Piazza and Central Market

   Once an important working market, and the backdrop for the musical My Fair Lady, Covent Garden today is a covered shopping mall with shops predominantly selling clothing, but also gifts and cosmetics, as well as stalls selling handicrafts (Tu-Su) or antiques (M), and restaurants. It's well worth a visit just for the attractive ambience, with classical musicians busking in the lower part of the market and a famous location for street entertainers. There is a popular pub, The Punch and Judy Tavern at the western end, with a large balcony overlooking a square where street entertainers perform. Most shops are open daily 10AM-8PM, but may close earlier on Sundays.

9. SeeSouthwark and Lewisham

   Crystal Palace Park

   While the Crystal Palace is no longer there, the 200-acre park is a lasting reminder of the grandeur of the scheme. There is a wide range of things to see and do, including a hedge maze, a sports centre with Olympic-sized pool, a boating lake, fishing, an athletics stadium and an open air concert bowl by a lake among other things. The park is a great place for a walk and also for cycling around. A significant attraction within the park is the Dinosaur Park. Large Victorian concrete and cast iron dinosaurs are scattered around widely. The dinosaurs, built by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins in the early 1850s to meet the emerging passion of wealthy Victorians for fossils and paleontology, they predated Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species by six years and were unique in the world. After falling into a state of disrepair in the 1980s and 1990s, they were splendidly renovated using a Lottery grant in the early 2000s and are now protected as a grade I listed structure. The dinosaurs were designed by the Victorians on their idea of what one would look like and differ somewhat from modern interpretations.

   Free

10. DrinkWandsworth

    Duke's Head

    A lovely gastropub with great views on and along the river. A regular for locals.

11. SeeSouthwark and Lewisham

    Dulwich Picture Gallery

    One of London's lesser known treasures showcasing a magnificent collection of old masters, including works by Poussin, Claude, Rubens, Murillo, Van Dyck, Rembrandt, Watteau, Gainsborough and many others. It was assembled for the King of Poland in the 1790s; an alternative home was found for the collection of artworks in the "clean air of Dulwich" after the Kingdom of Poland's partition and temporary disappearance as an independent state. The gallery was designed by Sir John Soane and opened in 1817. An extension completed by Rick Mather adds additional space to the compact gallery. DPG received the Museums and Heritage Award for Excellence in 2005 and was winner of the Independent Award for Britain's Favourite Visitor Attraction. It also worth exploring the lush grounds of Dulwich College or Dulwich Park, both a scenic stroll away.

    Tue-Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat Sun and bank holiday Mondays 11AM-5PM; closed Good Fri, 1 Jan and 24-26 Dec·£4, senior citizens £3, unemployed, disabled, students and children free, additional charge for special exhibitions

12. SeeSouthwark and Lewisham

    Fashion and Textiles Museum

    It's in the vicinity of Bermondsey Spa Gardens, and is an intriguing museum with those for a passion for fashion.

13. DrinkSouthwark and Lewisham

    Frank's Cafe at Bold Tendencies

    A unique bar open in the summer months on the top floor of a multi-storey car park, with fantastic views over London.

    Summer months only

14. SeeSouth Bank

    Garden Museum

    The first museum in the world dedicated to the history of gardening, based in the deconsecrated Church of St Mary-at-Lambeth. The exhibits cover everything from royal gardens to allotments.

    Sun–Fri 10:30AM–5PM, Sat 10:30AM–4PM·£5–7.50 (£4–6.50 seniors, £3.00 concessions, children free)

15. DrinkSoho

    Garlic & Shots

    Walk through the unassuming upstairs restaurant and head down the back stairs to find this small hidden basement bar, which boasts 101 different garlic and chilli-infused shots and loud rock/metal music. The 'Bloodshot' is highly recommended! There is also a seated outdoor smoking area out the back.

    Mon–Fri 5–11pm, Sat noon–11PM, Sun noon–10;30PM

16. SeeWestminster

    Green Park

    In contrast to the other Royal Parks in the area, Green Park can seem a little plain. It has no lakes or buildings and few monuments. It is still a pleasant green, lightly wooded, area in the centre of London, neighbouring two other parks and Buckingham Palace.

17. SeeMayfair-Marylebone

    Grosvenor Square

    Nicknamed Little America, it was the long-time home of the American Embassy (which in 2018 moved to Nine Elms across the river), and a statue of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

18. BuyHolborn-Clerkenwell

    Hatton Garden

    This street is the centre of London's jewellery trade and especially famous for diamonds. A lot of dealers and designers to choose from, both contemporary and traditional.

19. DrinkCamden

    Hawley Arms

    Tucked away in a side street close to the Stables Market, this two-story pub has a small garden and a roof terrace. There are sometimes concerts upstairs. A favorite of the late Amy Winehouse.

20. BuySouth Bank

    Hay's Galleria

    A beautiful converted wharf on the Jubilee Walk which, since 1987, has been home to cafés, shops and traditional barrows. Originally a warehouse and associated wharf (Hay's Wharf) for the port of London, it was redeveloped as a visitor attraction in the 1950s and has lots of boutique shops.

21. SeeNotting Hill-North Kensington

    Holland Park

    Originally the private garden of Holland House, much of which was destroyed in the London Blitz, Holland Park is a mixture of woodland, European and Japanese-style formal gardens and leisure facilities. It includes a large field dedicated to football and cricket, as well as tennis courts. As you walk around the park, you can see bits of the house dotted around the place which give you some idea of how grand it used to be. In the summer this is a great place to catch outdoor opera. An ecology centre near the police station provides information about the ecology of the park and arranges various activities for children. There is a café in the park that sells ice creams and hot food. The park is a popular way to walk from Notting Hill to Kensington High Street.

    Daily 7:30AM-dusk·Free

22. EatSoho

    Koya

    Cozy Japanese restaurant serving freshly made udon noodles, walk-ins only.

    Open now · closes 10 pm

23. BuyHolborn-Clerkenwell

    Leather Lane Market

    Not much leather sold here these days but worth a visit for some great cheap finds. Clothing, electrical goods, toiletries and food. Combines well with a visit to Hatton Garden which is in the next street east.

    Mon–Fri 10AM–3PM

24. SeeLeicester Square

    Leicester Square Garden

    Relax and unwind in the garden, and gaze at the activity going on all around, while listening to the buskers, street entertainers and preachers performing in the area. At the centre of the square is a fountain with a statue honouring William Shakespeare, and the benches that surround the fountain are dotted with other fun statues—you can take your picture sitting next to Mr. Bean, or standing with Charlie Chaplin.

25. SeePaddington-Maida Vale

    Little Venice

    A canal basin where the Regent's Canal meets the Grand Union, just a few minutes walk from Paddington Station.

26. SeeMayfair-Marylebone

    London Central Mosque

    Regent's Park Mosque

    Islamic Cultural Centre and the main mosque in London. Visitors are welcome but must be suitably attired. The Mosque runs classes, prayers, talks and events.

27. SeeMayfair-Marylebone

    Marble Arch

    This enormous arch was built in front of Buckingham Palace. In 1851 the expansion of the palace meant the arch could no longer remain where it was, so it was moved to this point on Hyde Park. It now stands rather sadly on a large traffic island, but the subway beneath the roads means you can stop off at the Marble Arch on your way from Oxford St to Hyde Park.

28. EatSouth Bank

    Marie's Cafe

    A favourite with locals, don't be put off by the shabby exterior of this greasy spoon/Thai cafe hybrid. The Thai menu is authentic and very tasty and service is quick. Very close to the Old Vic and around 10 minutes walk from the Southbank Centre.

    Mon-Fri 7AM-10:30PM, Sat 7AM-4PM and 5-10:30PM, Serves Thai only from 6PM·Mains £4-8, 'bring your own' alcohol policy

29. DoSouth Bank

    Menier Chocolate Factory

    Restaurant, theatre, gallery and bar. This small theatre adjacent to Borough Market has done spectacularly well with revivals of musicals, including Sunday in the Park with George and A Little Night Music both by Stephen Sondheim and which ran in the West End and on Broadway.

30. SeeHolborn-Clerkenwell

    Myddelton Square Park

    Nice shady park next to St Marks Church. Small children's playground.

31. SeeLeicester Square

    National Portrait Gallery

    The National Portrait Gallery is just around the corner from the National Gallery and is an entertaining way to learn about British history since the Tudors. Visitors walk around the gallery chronologically, viewing portraits of notable figures from British history - from Henry VII, painted by Hans Holbein, to Blur, painted by Julian Opie.

    Sat-Wed 10AM-6PM, Thu Fri 10AM-9PM·Free except some non-permanent exhibitions

32. BuyCovent Garden

    Neal's Yard Dairy

    A fabulous cheese shop specialising in British cheeses. The smell as you walk up the street can be enticing or repulsive, depending on your preference for fragrant cheese. But regardless, a trip to this shop is well worthwhile. Whether they are busy or not, the staff are always keen to have you taste a few cheeses to ensure you find what you are looking for. Everyone here is passionate about their cheese, and while the prices are higher than you will pay pretty much anywhere else in the world for cheese, the quality and taste are second to none.

    Mon-Thu 11AM-6:30PM, Fri Sat 10AM-6:30PM

33. SeeSoho

    Photographers' Gallery

    The exhibitions are wide and varied, from documentary photographers to fine artists, some long gone, and some on their way up. With the crowds and chaos of Leicester Square on one side and Covent Garden on the other, this is a welcome retreat.

    Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM, Thu Fri lates 10AM-8PM, Sun 11AM-6PM·£8 adults, £5 concession, 18 and under free. Fridays free from 5pm

34. SeeCity of London

    Postman's Park

    Postman's Park is three parks combined, bringing together the gardens of St Botolph's Aldersgate, Christ Church Greyfriars and St Leonard, Foster Lane. One of the largest parks in the City of London, Postman's Park contains the Memorial to Heroic Self Sacrifice; a memorial to ordinary people who died saving the lives of others and might otherwise have been forgotten.

    8AM–7PM or dusk (whichever is earlier). Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day·Free

35. SeeCamden

    Regent's Canal

    You can walk or cycle along the canal through east London all the way to the Thames (3 hr). The St. Pancras lock is directly north of St Pancras station. Regent's Canal was once a lifeline for trade and industry in London with narrowboats and barges ferrying goods to and from North London. The canal winds its way from the Grand Union Canal near Paddington in West London, past Regent's Park, Camden, Islington and Mile End to Limehouse, where it meets the Thames. From Camden Lock you can walk upstream along the canal to Regent's Park and on to London Zoo. It is a great way to approach the Zoo and a good way to avoid the traffic. Downstream of Camden is less pretty but still an interesting walk, taking you through the Islington Tunnel (one of the longest tunnels in the British canal system) and out in to East London. Whichever way you go along the path, watch out for cyclists!

36. SeeMayfair-Marylebone

    Regent's Park

    Large open space very popular with Londoners and less visited by tourists than the other great city parks. A number of lovely lakes, an open air theatre, regular puppet shows, various sporting activities and some splendid ancient trees. There is also a cafe and play area next to the boating pond.

37. DoMayfair-Marylebone

    Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

    During the summer, a perfect afternoon can be had by taking a picnic in Regent's Park followed by seeing a production at the Theatre.

38. DoHolborn-Clerkenwell

    Sadler's Wells Theatre

    Leading dance production theatre with an amazing history back to the 1690s. Everything from classical ballet to hip hop. For ballet fans, you have often got a much better chance of securing a ticket here than in the Covent Garden venues. Also attached is the Lilian Baylis Theatre, primarily performances by students.

39. SeeCovent Garden

    Seven Dials

    An intersection of seven streets in the northern part of the Covent Garden district. Lots of mid-range designer clothing and shoe stores

40. SeeHolborn-Clerkenwell

    Sir John Soane's Museum

    The former home of architect Sir John Soane, the building has been converted into a museum, displaying some of the objects he collected during his lifetime, including the alabaster sarcophagus of Seti I, and paintings by artists including William Hogarth. There is a display of some of Soane's architectural plans on the upper floor. Be sure to wait in the picture room until the guides open the walls up to reveal further paintings behind. The museum is a little-known tourist attraction, but well worth a visit. Admission free (but you're encouraged to leave a donation), you can walk in on the day.

    Wed-Sun 10AM-5PM

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to London (CC BY-SA 4.0).