Making the most of London parks

Actually, it’s not hard to find a welcome oasis of open air calm in London. The scent of perfumed plants and flowers hanging languorously in the summer breeze, and pleasant spots for contemplation, can be discovered within a bus or tube ride away.

The River Thames is also a theme that shimmers and weaves its magical spell through the city. London is blessed with many gardens and parks, and this is a tiny selection of the main ones. So, grab sandwiches and sunhat, beach-towels and ipods, and let’s go enjoy…

1. Richmond Park

Richmond makes a welcome change from the more usual central London haunts. Check out the herds of wandering deer in idyllic woodlands and hills whilst wide playing fields sit adjacent to gardens. There are local stables in the vicinity for visiting horse riders and cycles are available for hire from the car park in Roehampton Gate – for more information on these, take a look at the Royal Parks website given at the end of this article.

Note also that Richmond’s sister garden, Kew, is not so far away. This treasure trove of wildlife and horticulture makes for a delightful outing: I have many agreeable childhood memories of this place, especially of the sweltering ‘hot house’ conservatory which houses giant and exotic plants of all kinds. The current ‘underground and tree-top experience’ should interest those with or without kids in tow.

Richmond Park opens from 7am to approximately 7.30pm during the summer

How to get there: By tube – Richmond (District Line)

By overground train - Richmond British Rail, then catch bus 371 or 65 to Petersham Gate

2. Regent’s Park

If you enjoy open-air theatre, this one’s for you. Regent’s Park is home to the Open Air Theatre where there’s usually a spot of Shakespeare. The 2008 summer season includes the musical ‘Gigi’.

There are also some pretty good jazz line-ups at the park Bandstand this year, including emerging Brit talents ‘Empirical’ and the wonderful Liane Carroll – and I cannot believe that these concerts will only cost the bus/tube fare: yes, they are free.

And the park itself? A real jewel, with its wide playing fields alongside pretty gardens nesting gorgeous plants and flowers, a lake and meandering paths. Cafés and restaurants are dotted around for leisurely breaks.

A gentle detour is Primrose Hill with its expansive views over London and ideal picnic spots. Just off Regent’s Park, Camden Town is the nearest tube and can be accessed through walking along Camden Lock and the Canal.

How to get to Regent’s Park: By tube – Regent’s Park, Great Portland Street, Baker Street, St John’s Wood or Camden Town

3. Hyde Park

I couldn’t mention the great parks of London without a word about probably the best known of them all. However, one particular highlight, at least for me, is the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, which I find architecturally intriguing and, as most water features, calming and appealing. Another of Hyde Park’s ‘water features’ is, of course, the Serpentine, which runs through it. Note also that some major bands are booked to rock the park through the summer months.

Hyde Park is open from 5 am to midnight in the summer (to the end of August)

How to get there to Hyde Park: By tube: Lancaster Gate, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner or Knightsbridge

Get up-to-date travel information from the Transport for London (TfL) website. Go to the Royal Parks website for events taking place at these and other London parks: www.royalparks.org.uk/

Topic:  Travel with kids | 1 Comment
Tags:  family, green travel, London

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About the author

Vanessa Curney is a writer and e-publisher. Born and bred in London, she has also lived in Brussels, and has travelled to Cape Town, Jo’burg, New York, Chicago, Portland, Montréal, Vancouver, Paris, Edinburgh and Geneva among others. She’s just finished writing a mini-novel which you can find on her website: www.morethanoxfordstreet.com