London is a vibrant city, where there’s always a new show to see or a unique bar to visit. But, what if you want some downtime?
well, the good news is that London also has plenty of beautiful green spaces where you can unwind during your lunch break, after work, and at the weekend.
We’ve wandered across the city to find our favourite gardens and parks – all perfect spots for you to relax with a friend or a good book, or get active on a run.
Clissold Park
Hackney’s hidden gem, Clissold Park, is perfect if you enjoy keeping fit and having fun outdoors. Joggers and cyclists can take advantage of the impressive athletic track that circles the park, and there’s even an all-year-round ping-pong table.
But, if you prefer your creature comforts, this green space has a small petting zoo at its centre, which is home to a wide range of animals including rabbits, chickens and goats. Wild deer also live here, and you can spot them roaming the open spaces throughout the year. There’s even a butterfly tunnel and an aviary, so you can find plenty to do here even on a rainy day. Clissold Park undeniably provides a sanctuary in the middle of the capital, bringing the glories of the countryside into the urban landscape.
The park puts on plenty of events every year. From gigs and festivals to plays and fairs, there’s always something lively and entertaining happening here.
Kyoto Garden in Holland Park
Bringing Eastern Asia to the British capital, Kyoto Garden in Holland Park offers an exquisitely designed outdoor space reminiscent of a traditional Japanese fairy tale. Often considered one of west London’s most serene spots, the garden is hidden right in the middle of Kensington.
Wander through the pebbled walkways and grassy banks stopping to admire the picturesque waterfall feature, the koi carp pond, and the majestic peacocks stalking past. Alongside the park is the Jacobean mansion, Holland House (named after the second owner, the Earl of Holland), which is surrounded with an abundance of delicate dahlia flowers.
The park is truly unlike any other outdoor space in central London, making it the ideal spot to let your thoughts wander, inspire your creative imaginations, or simply to unwind with a book.
The Skip Garden
The King’s Cross Skip Garden is packed with everything you’d expect to find in a green space, like plants, vegetable patches and herb plots. But, that’s not all. It’s also full of pop-up food stalls, small fires for toasting marshmallows, and (of course) skips holding an abundance of flowers.
The garden uses waste items from local builders and tradesmen so that the natural world can be brought right to the heart of London, which means that you get to see things here that you would never normally see in a city centre. From watching the chickens scuttle about, to buying vegetables grown in the skips, it’s a unique experience for everyone to enjoy.
The home-grown vegetables are used in the Skip Garden Café too, so you can even relish a tasty home-cooked meal made from organic ingredients while you’re there.
Victoria Park
Boasting 9 million visitors each year, Victoria Park is one of the most popular places to be in the capital. Deer, moorhens, geese and squirrels all live in the 86 hectares of land that this park covers, providing a peaceful, countryside aura, as well as plenty of beautiful photograph opportunities. The park also has stunning canals and ponds, so you could spend the whole day exploring if you wanted to. Or, pick up your tennis racket and get training in time for Wimbledon at the park’s pavilions, tennis courts and sports grounds.
If you get hungry, the Pavilion Café serves delicious, locally-sourced food. There’s a menu of soups, sandwiches, pastries, freshly-baked bread, and brunch dishes, all served alongside a lakeside view.
As well as being a stunning open space, the park is particularly well-known for putting on breathtaking winter events too, such as Winterville, Field Day, and theatrical fireworks on Bonfire Night.
Regent’s Park
Just across from London Zoo, Regent’s Park is one of the most impressive open spaces North London has to offer. It holds an open-air theatre, rowing boats for hire, elegant rose gardens, tennis courts, pop-up ice cream stands and independent cafés. During the summer months, a wide range of food and music festivals pitch up here too, and the park hosts open-air theatre nights, making it one of the liveliest green spaces in the capital.
The Japanese island in the middle of the park is a must-see. Ornamental shrubs, wild flowers, drooping willows and winding paths make this little island one of the most peaceful spaces in the city.
Relaxing in the Big City
Whether you visit one of London’s well-known parks or you go to one of the city’s tranquil gardens, you’ll find the ideal place to de-stress, stretch your legs, and relax with friends.
Being able to unwind at home is important, too. Find out more about what it’s like to live in one of our specially-designed apartments. You can contact the team today and we’ll be able to find your ideal living space in the capital.
