Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
London is a large and modern metropolis. There are crowds of people everywhere – both locals and tourists – numerous skyscrapers, business centers and various malls. And even the most ardent extrovert will sooner or later get tired of the crazy urban rhythm, a variety of events and events. And where to go to find spiritual harmony, provided that there is no summer residence? To the park, of course!
Fortunately, there is no lack of parks in London either. Moreover, some of them are managed and run by the royal court itself – and they are the most beautiful and pleasant to walk. There are just public spaces, and practically private gardens. So even in such a metropolis as London there are parks where you can find solitude, tranquility and harmony with nature.
And for those who want to get out of the whirlwind of shopping malls and attractions popular among foreign tourists, we have collected the most beautiful parks in London. They are so pleasant and comfortable that if Zemfira read our article, she would not dream of the sky.
Rating of the most beautiful parks in London
| Nomination | a place | name | rating |
| Overview of the most beautiful parks in London | 1 | Richmond park | 5.0 |
| 2 | Hyde park | 4.9 | |
| 3 | Green park | 4.8 | |
| 4 | Greenwich park | 4.7 | |
| 5 | Saint james park | 4.6 | |
| 6 | Bushy park | 4.5 | |
| 7 | Regent's Park | 4.4 | |
| 8 | Kensington Gardens | 4.3 | |
| 9 | Victoria Park | 4.2 | |
| 10 | Kew Gardens, 'Kew Gardens' | 4.1 |
Richmond park
Rating: 5.0
Richmond Park is the largest of London's royal parks. On an area of more than 1000 hectares, there are well-groomed alleys with blooming azaleas and rhododendrons, as well as completely 'wild' areas. If you delve into the green groves, you can see live deer and owls that live in local landings.
Richmond Park also has stables open to the public where you can feed and even ride horses. In addition, tourists are offered carriage rides, which are especially popular on autumn evenings. A quiet, uncrowded park, illuminated by lanterns and covered with yellow leaves, turns into an incredibly romantic place. And, riding on it in a horse-drawn carriage, you can feel like a real royal person who went for a walk around that London, which is presented in the most beautiful films and books.
It is worth noting that, despite the creation of unhindered conditions for visitors, the park closes at night and on some holidays. So before going for a walk, especially around Christmas and other state times, it's worth checking out the Richmond Park site and checking out its opening hours.
Hyde park
Rating: 4.9
If Richmond Park is the largest of the royal parks, then Hyde Park is the most famous. It is located in the heart of London and offers activities for all tastes. The concert venue hosts performances by famous bands almost every day, there are many picnic lawns in the green areas, and among the shady alleys you can always find a secluded place to rest and relax.
The most interesting part of Hyde Park is the Speakers' Corner. On Sundays, public performances are held here, in which anyone can take part. Dystopian writer George Orwell and economist-philosopher Karl Marx once shared their ideas in Orator's Corner, and today you can meet public and political figures here.
In addition, Hyde Park is an excellent destination for lovers of London and British history in general. Its many monuments and memorials represent the most famous people and the most important events in the life of the country.
The park is open every day without days off. The gate opens at 5 am and closes at midnight. There are four metro stations near the park, so getting there is not difficult.
Green park
Rating: 4.8
Green Park is one of the most visited parks in London. And the whole secret is in his location. The famous Buckingham Palace is located right next to the park, so tourists, amazed by the royal history and life, can well relax and 'digest their impressions' under the canopy of numerous oaks and elms.
There are many recreation areas in the park. At any time, you can rent a sun lounger and head out to the lawn to relax under the dim London sun and experience the leisurely life in this area of the capital.
Green Park is famous for its fields of daffodils, which bloom in bright yellow buds almost all spring. Interestingly, they grow here by themselves. At first, of course, they were planted purposefully – by order of several generations of English kings at once. But then, back in the days of Charles II, this 'gardening' stopped. And the daffodils remained – and for several centuries they have been growing by themselves, spreading throughout the park.
It is better to get to the park by metro or buses. There are no parking areas, so you have to leave your car a few blocks from the entrance.
Greenwich park
Rating: 4.7
Greenwich Park is one of the oldest parks in London. Its history dates back to Roman times, and to this day it remains popular with tourists. In addition, on its territory you can find the Royal Observatory, which was founded over 300 years ago.
In Greenwich Park, there are not only flower fields and shady alleys. Several orchards also grow here, which, moreover, are open to visitors. In the spring you can enjoy blooming apples, apricots, cherries and plums; and in autumn the air is filled with the aroma of ripe fruits.
Greenwich Park is also interesting in that it is through its territory that the Greenwich meridian passes, relative to which the geographical coordinates of all points on the planet are determined. Of course, its position was recorded by the local observatory. There is a memorial sign next to it, near which tourists like to take pictures.
Like other royal parks, Greenwich Park has a schedule. Its gates open at 6 am, but the closing time varies at different times of the year. Therefore, it is worth checking the park's website before visiting. You can get here either by metro or by personal transport, however, on public holidays, traffic around Greenwich Park is closed.
Saint james park
Rating: 4.6
St James's Park is perhaps the wildest park in London. It is here that a wide variety of fauna are robbed that live without human control. And this is in the very center of London!
So, on local rivers you can meet ducks, black and white swans, and even pelicans. And far from water bodies there are well-groomed alleys with numerous monuments and monuments telling the history of the country. There is even a memorial path in honor of Princess Diana. Huge flower fields, the 'calling card' of all London's royal parks, are also in stock.
The most popular tourist destination in St. James's Park is the Blue Bridge. It offers a breathtaking view of almost all green areas, and in the distance you can directly see Buckingham Palace. The bridge passes over the river, so, of course, numerous waterfowl live here, which are not at all afraid of tourists.
The easiest way to get to St. James's Park is by metro. There are as many as five stations nearby! By the way, as part of a walk, you can also look into Green Park. The park gates open at 5 am and close at midnight.
Bushy park
Rating: 4.5
Bushey Park is a great place for those who want to relax to the sound of flowing water. Right in its center is a recreational area called The Upper Lodge Water Gardens. These are cascades and waterfalls, interspersed with various vegetation with flower beds almost mandatory for the royal parks of London.
The 'Water Gardens' were opened relatively recently – in 2010. More precisely, they were founded back in 1710, but two world wars practically destroyed this recreational area. So, in the 1940s, it was here that the US Air Force air base was located.
It should be noted that Bushey Park is suitable primarily for lovers of outdoor activities and similar entertainment. There are many sports fields, as well as hobby areas for swimming or fishing. In addition, a whole family of deer lives in Bushey Park, which are not at all afraid of visitors and roam freely throughout the territory.
The best way to get to Bushey Park is by car. There are several parking zones here, so you don't have to worry about where to stop the 'swallow'. In addition, there are two metro stations near the park. Richmond Park is also in the immediate vicinity. Bushey Park is open 24 hours a day (except during the winter months).
Regent's Park
Rating: 4.4
Regent's Park is suitable for those who want to admire not only green alleys and flower beds, but also animals. On its territory there is a huge zoo with over 700 species of fauna.
But the gem of Regent's Park is Queen Mary's Gardens. Roses are grown here – more than 30 thousand bushes of 400 species. In the spring, during flowering, here it is quite possible to lose both words and sense of time, admiring truly royal flowers. And then you can walk to the house of St. John. Although the building itself is closed to the public, the ancient, mystical gardens in front of it are quite accessible to tourists.
By the way, next to Regent's Park lies the very Baker Street where Sherlock Holmes 'lived'. A literary museum was opened in house 221b, which, however, is not particularly interesting to visit (and unreasonably expensive). But if you really want to touch the most famous symbol of London, then you can first look here, and then still walk to Regent's Park.
It is better to get to the park by metro. There are parking areas, but they are small – and there are many tourists. Therefore, there is no guarantee that it will be possible to leave the car. But there are three metro stations near the park. The gates open at 5 am and close at 10 pm depending on the season, so it is better to check the opening hours before visiting.
Kensington Gardens
Rating: 4.3
At Kensington Gardens, classic meets modernity. This one of the youngest gardens in London was donated to Queen Victoria by her loving husband. Architect James Penetron, inspired by the Italian style, created a green-blooming area with numerous flower beds on the territory.
The most interesting places in the park are The Allotment greenhouse and the Serpentine gallery.
The Allotment open-air greenhouse grows not only flowers, but also a variety of fruits and vegetables. Interestingly, the overseers are very loyal to the keen tourists – and therefore are always ready to share some secrets of plant care. The hobby of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, was gardening, and The Allotment is essentially one big memorial.
The Serpentine Gallery of Contemporary Art will delight those who want to touch the current London art. Here are the works of both eminent artists and sculptors, and those who are just starting the path of self-expression. The Serpentine Gallery was opened only 43 years ago – and since then has been collecting the most relevant works.
The park opens at 6 in the morning and runs until sunset. The easiest way to get there is by metro – there are two stations nearby.
Victoria Park
Rating: 4.2
Victoria Park has repeatedly become the most popular green space in London. Moreover, it is located far from the center, on the eastern outskirts of the city. And the secret of popularity is that the largest music festivals are held in Victoria Park. At one time, the rock band Radiohead, DJ Tiesto, and many other cult performers performed here.
In addition, Victoria Park offers many sites for outdoor enthusiasts. Sports competitions are held here, as well as various open-air exhibitions.
Of course, there are also beautiful ornamental gardens and flower beds. However, if you delve deeper into the park, they will be replaced by 'wild' natural areas and grassy lawns, where you can have a picnic in solitude. And for history lovers, there are many monuments and monuments on the territory of the green area.
The easiest way to get to Victoria Park (by the way, it is also called 'Narodny') is by metro. After all, the east end of London. There are two stations nearby.
Kew Gardens, 'Kew Gardens'
Rating: 4.1
There was once a large apothecary garden on the southwest outskirts of London, where various medicinal herbs were grown. But in 1670, Lord Henry Capel bought the area and founded a huge botanical garden, now called Kew Gardens and under the protection of UNESCO.
On the territory of 121 hectares there are beautiful gardens, greenhouses and botanical plantings. Over 30 thousand plants are grown in the open air! Kew Gardens is divided into several themed zones – Water Lily House, Bamboo Garden, Victorian Greenhouse and much, much more.
Kew Gardens is one of the most famous botanical gardens not only in London, but also in the world itself. Here you can admire plants from all over the world, and the cleanest air is filled with the aromas of flowers almost all year round.
It is worth noting that since Kew Gardens is not only a tourist, but also a research center, visiting times are limited. The gates open at 10 am, and already at 15:15 they stop accepting guests.
Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
