Parks in London - Oases of Calm
Conjure up an image of London and you may well be thinking of hustle and bustle with so much to see and do you want to rush from one place to another. Think again, there is a side to London that you may not have given thought to when planning your trip. London has a wealth of parks, gardens, river and canal sides that provide a green oasis for you to relax and take in the sights. If you saw London from the air you would see large swathes of vegitation and a patchwork of green, which may surprise you.
There are numerous parks in the city, from the large, popular ones such as Hyde Park to the tranquil squares that are dotted about. Many trees line the streets and fill the open spaces, in fact there are over 185 species of trees in London. Here are just a few open spaces for you to consider visiting when in London.
St James's Park is at the very heart of London and is one of the most beautiful of the Royal Parks. Originally it was a swamp and was made into a park in 1660 when Charles II excavated the long canal. On the lake you will find ducks, geese and pelicans. Feeding of the pelicans take place every day at 2:30pm, you can also do a guided tours of Duck Island. St James's is also home to the Mall, the setting for many ceremonial parades and events of national celebration.
The Green Park is quite different from its neighbour St James's Park. It is more peaceful, with mature trees and grassland. It is bordered by Constitution Hill, Piccadilly and Queen's Walk.
Hyde Park is one of London's finest historic landscapes covering some 350 acres where once Henry VIII rode in the hunt for deer. It was Charles I who changed the use of the park and opened it to the public in 1637. Now with over 4,000 trees, a lake, a meadow, and horse rides you can easily forget you're in the middle of London.
Kensington Gardens is planted with magnificent trees and ornamental flower beds. It is a perfect setting for Kensington Palace and boasts Italian Gardens, the Albert Memorial, Peter Pan statue and the Serpentine Gallery. The Serpentine and the Long Water from the Westbourne stream were created in 1728 by Queen Caroline, wife of George II. Highlights of the park to enjoy today are The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground and a seven-mile Memorial Walk, which will take you through Hyde Park, Green Park and St James's Park; they were both opened in 2000.
Greenwich Park provides a setting for several historic buildings, including the Old Royal Observatory, the Royal Naval College, the National Maritime Museum and the Queen's House. It is the oldest enclosed Royal Park and home to a small herd of fallow and red deer. Situated on top of a hill, visitors enjoy impressive views across the River Thames to St Paul's Cathedral and the City of London. The land was inherited in 1427 by the Duke of Gloucester, brother of Henry V, since then generations of monarchs have taken this magnificent park to their hearts. Today Greenwich is a World Heritage Site and is most famous for Greenwich Mean Time. During World War II there were anti-aircraft guns in the Flower Garden, and the tips of some of the trees were cut off to widen the field of fire. Evidence of this can still be seen in the truncated shape of some of the trees. After the war, the park was restored to its former glory.
St. Mary Abbotts and Alec Clifton Taylor Memorial Gardens is a peaceful haven for relaxation with gardens and seating areas just a short distance from the bustle of Kensington High Street.
If you are a keen gardener, also worthy of a visit are the rose garden at Christ Church Greyfriars and the award-winning bedding displays at the Festival Gardens. Other parks and open spaces of note are Regents Park, Finsbury Circus, Battersea Park, Dovehouse Green and Holland Park.
Not to be forgotten are the lovely areas besides the waterways in London. Along the Thames Embankment are gardens and smaller parks to relax in, such as the Battersea Bridge gardens; a small pleasant garden with grass, shrubs and spring and autumn plantings or the lovely gardens alongside the busy Chelsea Embankment with spring and summer bedding, trees, shrubs and grass areas, a small sunken garden with sheltered seating and enclosed grass and shrub areas.
A walk along the canal from Paddington will bring you to Little Venice, described as an oasis of leafy calm. This is a great spot for a walk along the towpath, perhaps for the 2.5 miles to Camden Lock and the markets, alongside Regents Park and London Zoo.
London has something for everyone, so why not check out our helpful pages of offers for short breaks and weekends in London.
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