15 of Our Favourite Green Spaces and Parks in London
When we think of London, images of high-rise buildings, historic architecture, and riverside metropolitan life spring to mind. But England’s capital has over 3,000 parks and open green spaces throughout, from popular boroughs in central London to charming towns and villages on the outskirts of the city.
In this article, we explore 15 of our favourite green spaces and parks available in London for visitors and local communities to enjoy, many of which are located near our developments in London.
Central London
Areas of central London may be the most populated and dense, but you can also find an abundance of quintessential parks and green spaces.
1. Hyde Park
Hyde Park is one of the most recognisable and well-known green spaces in the capital. As the setting for several historic events, including iconic speeches at Speaker’s Corner, the first ever UK Pride march, and acting as a refuge site during the Great Plague. Hyde Park continues to thrive with excitement today. Events are regularly held at Hyde Park, such as Winter Wonderland. The variety offered by the park means you can easily spend a whole day enjoying tranquil strolls or playing outdoor games, even when there aren’t any events on.
2. Kensington Gardens
Sitting just west of Hyde Park is Kensington Gardens, a Royal Park open to the public and home to the delightful Kensington Palace. Made up of 265 acres, Kensington Gardens offers ample green space to enjoy, with several spots of interest throughout. The wooden pirate ship at Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground is bound to inspire youngsters, while the flower walks throughout are the perfect setting for romantic strolls.
3. Holland Park
In the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, you’ll fi nd 54 acres of greenery within Holland Park, right around the corner from Shepherd’s Bush, Notting Hill Gate, and Kensington High Street tube stations. The largest park in the borough is home to the Japanese Kyoto Gardens, made up of Japanese maple trees, tranquil waterfalls, and a koi pond. You'll also find an adventure playground that's perfect for entertaining young children, as well as tennis courts and football pitches for sporting games.
Make your dream of city living a reality with our newly built properties in areas throughout Central London, including Battersea, Marylebone, and Bermondsey.
View Central London Developments
North London
Parks and green spaces in North London transport you to a rural retreat, without needing to travel too far from the city. From natural wetlands to carefully curated gardens, here are some of the best parks in North London.
4. Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath is set upon the highest natural point in London, making it perfect for admiring city views while seated among the grass. Spanning an incredible 790 hectares, Heath offers the rare opportunity to spot creatures and wildlife and dip into swimming ponds, all while in a city location. Practice your game at several sporting areas or try your hand at fishing, before settling in for a well-deserved treat at one of several cafés in the Heath.
5. Alexandra Park
Alexandra Park is part of the grounds surrounding the magnificent 19th-century Alexandra Palace, offering a variety of activities and areas to explore. The park has several car parks where you can park up and enjoy a full day, taking advantage of everything the 196 acres have to offer. While Alexandra Park is most well-known for being a major venue for sports and entertainment events, when it comes to nature, the park’s maintenance team puts just as much effort into preserving the environment. The Park has countless trees which contribute to better air quality in the area, in addition to hundreds of species of plants, animals and insects.
6. Waterlow Park
Nestled in the village of Highgate is Waterlow Park. Originally a private estate, Waterlow Park was graciously gifted to the council in 1889 by Sydney Waterlow to provide a ‘garden for the gardenless’. Over 100 years later, the park continues to be a treasured piece of countryside for the public, with a wide range of environments to enjoy, including ponds, orchards, and landscaped gardens. Work on your swing at the tennis courts, pause to take in the fragrance of the rose garden, or take part in nature-based workshops hosted at the park.
If you’d like a London-based home that’s just that step further into nature, explore our new properties in Enfield, Finsbury Park, Hendon, and more brilliant boroughs in North London.
View North London Developments
East London
London’s East End may not be known for its green spaces, but once you look beyond the surface, you’ll find several parks, gardens, and botanical settings where you can take in the sunshine and truly appreciate what nature has made for us.
7. Columbia Road Flower Market
Though not a park, a saunter through the Columbia Road Flower Market is sure to make you feel like you’ve entered a floral wonderland. Every Sunday in Bethnal Green, the street market floods the air with the aroma of fresh and dried flowers, house plants, herbs, and much more. The produce is seasonal, with stock changes over the year, so no two trips will be the same.
8. Victoria Park
Referred to fondly by the locals as ‘Vicky Park’, Victoria Park in Tower Hamlets is one of London’s longest-standing parks. Dating back to 1845, Victoria Park opened as a place for the community to freely roam a slice of nature in the area. Today, the park sees millions of visitors each year who take part in regular events, sports, and a range of community activities. The park offers opportunities to enjoy waterside strolls and even has a splash pool open during the spring and summer months.
9. London Fields
One of the most popular parks in Hackney is London Fields, which was once a site for grazing animals. As the name suggests, London Fields consists of wide, open grassy areas which are perfect for dog walks, playing games, and picnics. The park also has a lovely wildflower meadow that attracts butterflies and bees, which are key players in our ecosystem.
Berkeley Group has a great selection of new homes available in East London, located in popular areas such as Greenwich, Canary Wharf, and Woolwich.
South London
South London provides more access to rural areas than any other part of London. It’s difficult to choose just a few favourites from a large pool of wonderful green areas, but here’s our top three places to enjoy the great outdoors in South London.
10. Richmond Park
Dating back over 700 years, the ancient Richmond Park consists of more than 2,000 acres of unrivalled grasslands, hills, and woodlands. The park’s status as a National Nature Reserve means it’s home to rare and endangered species of insects and animals. Complete with herds of red and fallow deer, kaleidoscopes of butterflies, and colonies of beetles, you’re almost guaranteed to spot wildlife in action on a visit to Richmond Park.
11. Crystal Palace Park
Set in a well-populated area is Crystal Palace Park, which is registered as Grade II on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. Contributing to its status is the park’s key role in British history, particularly for sports, as the host of the first recorded game for the Crystal Palace football team in 1861. Sports still play a key role in the park today, with well-maintained sporting facilities and areas to stay active, such as the Boating Lake, skatepark, and National Sport Centre. Aside from sport, Crystal Palace Park has vast green areas, a city farm, and a fascinating maze to traverse.
12. Clapham Common
Demonstrating the wide variety of green spaces in South London is Clapham Common. The triangular-shaped park is situated right outside Clapham Common tube station, with several cafés and restaurants surrounding it. The large park has several wide, open fi elds, walking paths, and even a Victorian bandstand. Despite its city location and status as a popular events venue, the biodiversity and environment of Clapham Common are well-protected, with several meadows, grasslands, and ponds dedicated to nurturing the conservation of wildlife in the park.
Sharing a border with Surrey means areas of South London offer easy access to village-like life and urban habitats, a strong pull for many who want the best of both worlds.
View South London Developments
West London
Living in West London means you have some truly amazing green spaces right on your doorstep. Whether you’re in areas such as Hammersmith and Fulham, White City, or Chelsea, you’ll never be far from a park or pitch for your morning run or afternoon games.
13. Eel Brook Common
Conveniently located close to Fulham Broadway tube station, Eel Brook Common, one of the handiest little parks in Hammersmith and Fulham. The park is nestled within the hustle and bustle of the borough and is a popular open space offering regular events, facilities, and sports to take part in.
14. Chiswick House and Gardens
The historic Chiswick House and Gardens is one of the main draws for residents and visitors alike in Chiswick. The Palladian villa, which sits at the centre of the gorgeous curated gardens, was designed by the third Earl of Burlington, drawing inspiration from his Grand Tour of Italy.
15. Ravenscourt Park
One of the largest and most recognisable green spaces within Hammersmith is Ravenscourt Park, packed with pitches and courts where you can enjoy sports like tennis, basketball, and netball. Ravencourts Park also has a wildlife garden for a floral escape, as well as a tea house and garden centre for refreshments and shopping.
The best way to enjoy these green areas is to make them part of your hometown. We have a range of new properties available in areas throughout West London, including Southall, Wandsworth, and Wembley, to name a few.
Discover Green Spaces Near Your New Home in London
We know that having a green space or park close to your home is a particularly attractive feature to have. That’s why our new developments in London are thoughtfully located for our residents to enjoy the local areas of nature.
What’s more, many of our developments have private outdoor areas, communal courtyards, and garden areas that condense all the charm of a full-scale formal English garden into compact residential areas.
Find out more about Berkeley Group or get in touch for more information.