As a city, London has almost 18% green public space, making it one of the greenest cities in Europe. As spring sets in, guests of the Queens Park Hotel are well placed to explore many of the city’s most cherished natural spaces. From east to west, the city holds countless hidden gem squares and popular parks that make the city the vibrant capital that it is today.
This blog will explore some of the most popular and overlooked of London’s 3000 parks. From local green spaces perfect for a quick walk after your hotel breakfast near Paddington Station, to the day trips into ancient woodlands, these are the parks and nature reserves that define the city of London.
Hyde Park
A magnificent royal park in the heart of Central London, Hyde Park is a beautiful former Tudor hunting ground that has been transformed into a social hub, festival host and beautiful landmark trail. Spanning 350 acres and easy to reach from Queens Park Hotel accommodation near Hyde Park London, Hyde Park is home to the one of a kind Diana Memorial Fountain, hidden rose gardens and even a pet cemetery (though you can only visit on selected dates of the year). Its main attraction though, is the beautiful Serpentine Lake, a pedalo lined boating lake and adjoining freshwater lido.
Kensington Gardens
Once a part of Hyde Park, this beautiful garden was the private grounds of Kensington Palace but was opened to the public in the 19th century. The contrast to Hyde Park is significant, despite their proximity, and the park has become a popular walking spot due to its formal gardens, landscaped fountains and sense of calm.
Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park in South London has one of the best viewpoints in the city, alongside a history of Naval Colleges, stargazing and timekeeping. Set beside the Royal Maritime Museum, Greenwich Park is also home to the Royal Observatory, upon the hill of which views over the Thames and Canary Wharf attract many visitors.
Richmond Park
Heading out west now, this is another Thames-side royal park that again dates back to the Tudor era. Once the home of Henry VIII’s Richmond Palace, Richmond Park is now a 2360 acre nature reserve that’s still home to flocks of deer whose ancestors were hunted by kings. Woodlands, heathlands and botanic gardens abound, you’d hardly think you were in a capital city whilst drinking in the sights of Richmond Park.
Hampstead Heath
The same goes for Hampstead Heath, a hilly stretch of woodland in North London. Spanning 790 acres, the freshwater ponds, once reservoirs from the River Fleet, attract swimmers whilst the views from Parliament Hill are yet another breathtaking way to orient yourself on a first time stay with London hotel offers.
Epping Forest
On the outskirts of London, this ancient forest still stretches across the city limits, covering parts of Essex and Greater London via Chingford and Theydon Bois. At almost 6000 acres, Epping Forest is home to a vast ecosystem and was once an official royal forest.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
This urban park in East Lodnon’s Stratford area was developed on land close to Hackney Marshes, an equally beautiful stretch of the southern Lee Valley edge. The Queen Elizabeth Park was developed.
