16 of the best · London, United Kingdom
Green space at the heart of the city.
Our 16 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
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Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love London.
The oldest Royal Park
The oldest of London’s Royal Parks, with a lake, pelicans and views to Buckingham Palace from the Blue Bridge.
St James’s ParkExplore View on map
London’s great park
One of London’s great Royal Parks, with the Serpentine lake, Speakers’ Corner, boating and long walks.
Hyde ParkExplore View on map
In-depth stories behind the list.
The back story
How the hunting grounds of Tudor and Stuart monarchs became the eight Royal Parks, from St James’s Park to Richmond Park.
Lakes, lawns and long walks.
London’s great park
One of London’s great Royal Parks, with the Serpentine lake, Speakers’ Corner, boating and long walks.
Hyde ParkExplore View on map
Palace, fountains and Peter Pan
The Royal Park west of Hyde Park, with Kensington Palace, the Italian Gardens, the Peter Pan statue and the Diana Memorial Playground.
Kensington Gardens, W2Explore View on map
Roses in the Inner Circle
The formal gardens in the Inner Circle of the Regent’s Park, famous for their rose garden, which is at its best in June.
Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, NW1 4NRExplore View on map
The oldest Royal Park
The oldest of London’s Royal Parks, with a lake, pelicans and views to Buckingham Palace from the Blue Bridge.
St James’s ParkExplore View on map
Lawns and plane trees
A peaceful Royal Park of lawns and mature trees between Piccadilly and Buckingham Palace, with deckchairs in summer.
The Green ParkExplore View on map
Roses, the zoo and the view
A great Royal Park north of Marylebone, with Queen Mary’s Gardens, the boating lake, the Open Air Theatre and London Zoo, and the view from Primrose Hill.
The Regent’s Park, NW1 4NRExplore View on map
Heaths, deer parks and Victorian parks.
A Victorian park by the river
A Victorian riverside park opposite Chelsea, with a boating lake, a Peace Pagoda and a children’s zoo.
Battersea Park, SW11 4NJExplore View on map
Next to Hampton Court
The second largest Royal Park, beside Hampton Court Palace, with deer, the Chestnut Avenue and the Diana Fountain.
London’s oldest botanic garden
A walled botanic garden on the Chelsea riverside, established by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries in 1673.
66 Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HSExplore View on map
The view from the Observatory
A Royal Park climbing from the Queen’s House to the Royal Observatory, with famous views over the river.
Greenwich Park, SE10Explore View on map
Wild London and Parliament Hill
A great expanse of wild heath, woods and ponds in north London, managed by the City of London, with the view from Parliament Hill and Kenwood House.
Hampstead Heath, NW3Explore View on map
Peacocks and the Kyoto Garden
A wooded park in Kensington with the Japanese Kyoto Garden, peacocks and the summer season of Opera Holland Park.
Holland Park, W8Explore View on map
Deer and ancient oaks
The largest of London’s Royal Parks, a National Nature Reserve of grassland and ancient oaks where herds of red and fallow deer roam.
The People’s Park of the East End
A large Victorian park in east London, with lakes, gardens and a lively café, known as the People’s Park.
Victoria Park, E9Explore View on map
Wetlands in a loop of the Thames
A wetland nature reserve in Barnes run by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, created from Victorian reservoirs in a loop of the Thames.
Queen Elizabeth Walk, SW13 9WTExplore View on map
58 of the best Restaurants
31 of the best Cafés & Tea
52 of the best Bars & Pubs
53 of the best Hotels71 of the best Sights50 of the best Museums & Arts13 of the best Walks
35 of the best Shopping
29 of the best Health30 of the best Property28 of the best New Developments
10 of the best Luxury Cars22 of the best Getting AroundHomes & Gardens North of EnglandHomes & Gardens East of EnglandHomes & Gardens South of EnglandHomes & Gardens West of England