Best Parks and Green Spaces in London
The green side of London most visitors never see
September in London carries the last of the warmth without the peak-season crush. The light at 5pm is unmatched for photographs. The parks are green but turning—horse chestnut seeds scatter, maples begin to blaze red in certain corners, and deer in Richmond and Bushy Parks enter the rut, one of the country's great wildlife spectacles if you keep your distance. Ranked here by what you can do in them and how easy it is to get in, from the most versatile central option to the outliers that reward the short journey. Some parks demand nothing but a walk. Others have equipment, cafés, playgrounds that swallow hours, and views that justify the trip alone.
Hyde Park
Mayfair, Westminster and City · Central Royal Park with Serpentine Lake, gardens, playgrounds · Open daily, free entry; South Carriage Drive Playground 10am–dusk (times vary seasonally)
350 acres of royal parkland in the centre of the city, with the Serpentine, rose garden and deckchairs available in summer. The South Carriage Drive Playground sits on the southern edge with views over open sports fields and the Serpentine. Run the perimeter, swim in the lake, sprawl on the grass with a picnic while swans and rowers pass. Visitors can enjoy boating on the Serpentine, cycling through scenic paths, or simply relaxing while watching swans glide across the water. Most accessible from central; works for every age and every visit type.
Regent's Park
Marylebone, Camden · Royal Park with rose garden, boating lake, playgrounds, zoo, sports · Open daily; Queen Mary's Gardens blooms late May through August
Regent's Park covers 395 acres in north-central London and is one of the most varied of all the Royal Parks. The Inner Circle contains Queen Mary's Rose Garden — the largest collection of roses in London — which blooms brilliantly from late May through to August. It offers a mix of lush greenery, serene lakes, and well-maintained pathways, making it an ideal spot for running, yoga, or barre sessions, with scenic Queen Mary's Gardens where vibrant flower displays create a stunning backdrop. The west side has a children's boating lake with a traditional playground for younger children plus a wooden tree house section surrounded by a giant sand pit for older children. Playgrounds, rowing, running trails, roses in full bloom. A full day in one place.
Richmond Park
Richmond upon Thames · Royal Park with 2,500 acres, herds of deer, Isabella Plantation · Open daily; deer rut September–November, keep 50m distance
Richmond Park and Bushy Park host the spectacular deer rut in September and October — one of the UK's great wildlife events. The park offers a range of safe, enjoyable nature walks for kids, with the National Nature Reserve home to hundreds of free-roaming red and fallow deer. Wide paths wind through woodland and grassland; highlights include Isabella Plantation, particularly during the spring, woodland nature trails and scenic viewpoints over the city. For picnics, long walks, deer-spotting from a distance, and running routes without end. The furthest journey rewards you with space to disappear.
Hampstead Heath
Hampstead, Kentish Town · Wild heathland with 790 acres, Parliament Hill, ponds, lido · Open daily; swimming ponds operational most of the year
The park embraces ponds, recent and ancient woodlands, a playground, and a training track, and adjoins the former stately home of Kenwood House and its estate. Parliament Hill, one of the highest points in London, offers magnificent views of the city. The biggest draw to this green space are its three swimming ponds and lido, which are perfect in summer, popular with the locals and a great place to chill out after a day of sightseeing. Much wilder than most parks in London, with uneven paths, big open fields and great views across the city. Unpaved, atmospheric, most like a real escape. Run the training track, swim in the ponds, climb Parliament Hill for views over all of London.
Greenwich Park
Greenwich, Blackheath · Historic Royal Park with 180 acres, Royal Observatory, Rose Garden, deer · Open daily; playground, cafés, toilets
The highlight is the view from the top of the hill near the Royal Observatory—you get a stunning panorama of the River Thames, Canary Wharf, and the City of London. It's one of the best free views in the city. The park also has a deer park, children's playground, rose garden, and plenty of benches to just sit and enjoy nature. The park is huge, well-kept, and full of variety—wide open lawns, flower gardens, ancient trees, and peaceful walking paths. It's perfect for a relaxing stroll, a family picnic, or even a morning jog. Worth the journey for the view and the gardens. Combines sightseeing with a proper park walk.
Kensington Gardens with Diana Memorial Playground
Kensington, Bayswater · 265-acre Royal Park adjacent to Hyde Park, children's playground · Playground open 10am–7pm daily (varies seasonally)
The playground underwent a £3million renewal by The Royal Parks charity, reopening on Wednesday 5 August 2026. Hop aboard the giant wooden pirate ship inspired by J M Barrie's novel, Peter Pan, with teepees and treehouses, swings and ropes that encourage children to fire up their imaginations while using up their excess energy. Designed for children up to 12 of all abilities, the sensory trail is particularly popular. On busy days when the playground reaches full capacity there is a queue for entry, with waiting times typically ranging from between 15 minutes up to an hour. Newly renovated and freshly opened. Walk the gardens before or after. Brings young children to exhaustion in two hours.
Holland Park
Kensington, Notting Hill · 54-acre park with woodland, Kyoto Garden, adventure playground, sports · Open daily; cafe and restaurant on site
Holland Park provides 54 acres of gardens, green spaces and playgrounds and includes large areas of woodland. Wander through the formal gardens, let children enjoy the adventure playground or immerse yourself in the rich flora and fauna of the woodland areas. The central area attracts most visitors, having a children's playground, an adventure playground, two Japanese gardens and a cafe. The adventure playground, suitable for children aged five to 14, features a 25 metre zip wire, climbing wall, tyre swing and a 10-person see-saw. Primrose Hill has a variety of sports facilities, including a street workout park where you can use equipment like sit-up benches, rings, and pull-up bars. Smaller park, denser experience. Adventure playground holds older children. Woodland trails quiet early mornings.
Victoria Park
Bow, Tower Hamlets · 86-hectare park with twin playgrounds, boating lake, sports facilities · Open 7am–dusk daily; splash pool runs 11am–5pm in summer
The Old English Garden features lush lawns, clipped hedges and plenty of roses. There's a Floral Sunken Garden with flower beds arranged to give a tiered effect, and raised beds for plants, vegetables and herbs in the Outdoor Classroom, while the Orchard Meadows is full of grasses, wildflowers and fruit trees, attracting birds and insects. On the west side is the V&A playground, more suitable for younger children with swings, climbing equipment, sand play and water pumps. On the east side is a huge adventure area with slides, climbing equipment, sand play and a splash pool play area which runs 11am to 5pm in summer with water jets and fountains. Wide, paved paths wind throughout the 86 hectares, making it a favorite loop for runners, cyclists, and dog walkers. East London location means fewer tourists. Twin playgrounds suit siblings of different ages. Lake and boating. Quieter than central parks.
Battersea Park
Battersea, Wandsworth · 200-acre Victorian park with Thames views, boating lake, Peace Pagoda · Open year-round; playground, café, paddle boats in season
Noteworthy features include the Pump House Gallery, a boating lake, the Peace Pagoda, and the Old English Garden. The park is also a great place for a stroll along the river as you can get some wonderful views of nearby Albert Bridge and Chelsea Bridge. There are historic and contemporary gardens to enjoy, including the Promontory Garden where you can sit and take in views of the river, and a sub-tropical garden featuring unusual plants and bold colours. Look out for sculptures by leading artists such as Barbara Hepworth's Single Form and Henry Moore's Three Standing Figures. Riverside park away from centre. Good for picnics facing the water. Peace Pagoda stands dramatically alone. Gardens quieter than playground-heavy spots.
St James's Park
Westminster, Mayfair · 90-acre Royal Park with lake, waterfowl, Buckingham Palace views · Open 5am–midnight daily; cafe, free entry
This 90-acre park, the oldest Royal Park in London, features a large lake that is a wildlife sanctuary for ducks, geese, swans and even pelicans. First introduced to the park in 1664, over 40 pelicans have since made the park their home. They are a popular sight with park visitors. Children can have fun at the Diana Memorial Playground nearby, which features a giant pirate ship, feed ducks and pelicans in St James's Park, enjoy sprawling open spaces for picnics and games and several nearby ice cream stops. Most central. Best for watching birds and waterfowl. Walking path connects to Green Park and beyond. Small children will stare at pelicans. No playground on-site but surrounded by other attractions.
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