London can be an overwhelming city to visit. Between the crowds, the many buses, and the food stalls, honestly, it can get dirty. One way to escape not only the crowds but the grime as well is to visit a park or garden! London is made up of 40% of ‘green space’ of which there are 8 Royal Parks, public parks, and common land. So, there are many to choose from! If you are overwhelmed with the business of the city or just enjoy a day out with nature, here are the top parks and gardens in London!
Green Park
After you take your iconic ‘Meghan Markle photo’ at Buckingham Palace, walk across the street and stroll through Green Park. Green Park is the smallest of the eight Royal Parks and doesn’t have any lakes or ponds. What it lacks in water space, makes up in magnificent trees and, well green space. Some of the highlights include the Canada Gate, located near Buckingham Palace, Bomber Command Statue, and the Memorial Gate Pillars (near the Piccadilly entrance). The best time to visit this garden is March through May when the trees are in full bloom! There are refreshments and lawn chairs available for a small fee.
St. James Park
As you walk down the majestic Mall, stop by St. James Park. It is the oldest of the eight Royal Parks! This park is perfect for any animal lover! It is home to 15 different species of birds. St James Park has a wonderful lake and two islands – West Island and Duck Island. Some of the highlights include the Blue Bridge, where you can enjoy stunning views of Buckingham Palace! Also, If you look near Duck Island you will see a Tiffany fountain perched on a Pelican Rock, with Instagram-worthy views of the London Eye and Big Ben! There are also refreshments and lawn chairs available here, for a small fee. Or bring your own blanket and enjoy a picnic all on your own!
Kensington Gardens
The third of the eight Royal Parks is Kensington Gardens. Kensington not only boasts of beautiful gardens but of a beautiful palace as well! Stop by the lakes and ponds to watch the swans. Follow the Princess Diana Memorial or find the Peter Pan statue. You have the option to stroll through the park or rent a bike and enjoy your exercise for the day. At the very end of the gardens is the palace. It is $22 to enter or if you are low on cash, take a picture in front of the beautiful fountain! Get off at the Lancaster Gate or Queensway tube station for a quick walk to the park entrance.
Kew Gardens
One of my favorite gardens to explore is the Kew Gardens! Bring your comfy shoes, as you could spend the entire day roaming the unique 300-acre grounds! A UNESCO Heritage site and home to nearly 50,000 species of plants, trees, and flowers. Some of the highlights include walking along the treetops on the canopy walkway with amazing views across the gardens. Here are a few other places to stop by; Rock Gardens, Agius Evolution Garden, Mediterranean Garden, and King William’s Temple. Plus, the Great Broad Walk Borders and Arboretum houses to name a few.
The Kew
Chelsea Physic Gardens
One of the oldest botanical gardens in London is the Chelsea Physic Gardens. This is one of my favorite and the most classic looking! This garden has over 5,000 medicinal, herbal, and edible plants! Around $13 to enter, this is a great place to relax and soak in nature’s beauty. There are many activities and social events at the garden throughout the year. Learn about the art and healing power of plants during the summer months or come to the Christmas Fair in December. Chelsea Physic Gardens is just a short walk from Sloane Square Tube Station.
Sky Gardens
If you are looking for more unique gardens to visit, try the Sky Gardens. Located near the Tower of London, these gardens are a perfect place to meet for brunch! Order from the cafe and enjoy not only views of the gardens but also views of the city! The best thing? It is free to enter!
More Parks
As I mentioned above, there are eight Royal Parks in Central London. These are the lands that were originally owned by the Royal Family for recreational and hunting use. Three are listed above, here are the other five we did not get the chance to visit:
Bushy Park: The second largest of the Royal Parks, north of Hampton Court it is home to ancient trees, woodlands, ponds, and roaming deer.
Richmond Park: Known to be a deer park, explore Isabella Plantation filled with colorful flowers and burbling brooks.
Hyde Park: Right next to Kensington Gardens, it is the perfect place to spend the evening.
Regent’s Park: A close walk to Primrose Hill and the London Zoo, this park is always hopping!
Greenwich Park: Near the Prim Meridian and Royal Observatory this is the perfect place to spend the day.
I personally love visiting parks and gardens in different cities. I literally have thousands of photos of flowers, plants, and trees! If you have a free evening or just over the major site-seeing a garden is a perfect place to visit. Most parks in London are free, the gardens usually have a small fee to enter. No matter the weather, these parks,
Thank you for reading! Until the next destination!
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