The Best Parks & Green Spaces to visit in London (as lock-down restrictions ease)

You heard Borris - on your bike! Finally a small glimpse of freedom this week given the PM announced we can exercise in parks 'as much as we like'. What does the summer look like post lock-down? At the very least we expect we can enjoy the many outdoor / green spaces dotted across London if a trip to the beach or seaside destinations is out of the question. We need to get to a place we can utilise what is available to us so that we can see through these warm summer months in a happy place, outside, safely without putting ourselves and others at risks.

I personally think, cycling, parks, picnics and barbecues with small groups of close friends will be the highlight. With this is mind, here are a list of my favourite parks to visit across London - quite the collection to choose from but nearly ten years in the capital - these are the ones I frequent the most (on the bike given they are dotted all over the city). Some of them will be very familiar, others however - little hidden gems.

Picnic baskets at the ready peeps and safe cycling!

Cannon Hill Common

A little South West London Gem, in the Borough of Merton, this is a great little spot to cycle to for a picnic with friends (and not as common - excuse the pun) as some of London's other Green spaces. Cannon Hill Common covers 21 hectares of open space, and has lakes and ponds dotted around. Great for a quiet picnic with a couple of friends or a nice walk around.

Wandsworth Park

I love Wandsworth park as it is on my cycle to work route and is a great little spot by the river at any time of day. In the morning it gets a lovely sunrise and dewy grasses, and in the evening is full of people exercising / dog walking. It is located right beside Putney Bridge in South West London. This is a smaller park with large towering trees and a big open green space for picnics. This park is perfect for people watching or if you are looking for a riverside view.

Tooting Bec Common

Or Tooting Commons as the 152 Acres of green space is also know - is another local favourite of mine. Tooting Bec is home to the Tooting Bec Lido (the largest fresh water swimming pool by surface area in the UK). Sadly whether it will open its doors this summer to us swimming enthusiasts or anyone just trying to keep cool in the warm summer sun remains to be seen. Tooting Bec is filled with sports teams exercising as well as a lot of personal Trainers and their clients. At weekend the parks are filled with young families picnicking and on a summer's evening, this park gets one of the greatest sunsets in London.

Beddington Park

What a little treat this park is. This only came on my radar recently and I have been a few times now on the bike and pleasantly surprised by what I found. Located in the Borough of Sutton and close to Croydon, Beddington park boasts 58 hectares or unspoiled parkland, a quaint little boating lake and the river Wandle runs through it. Perfect for dog walking and people watching.

Hyde Park

One of London's more central parks, Hyde park is a treat for all to enjoy. one of eight of London's Royal Parks, it is accessible via Knightsbridge, Kennsington, Marble Arch, Park Lane or Bayswater. Hyde Park is well maintained and has multiple areas or interest to explore. I love to hang out by the Serpentine Lake in summer months and watch the world go by, usually over a glass of Rose by the Serpentine bar (although hard to know when that will reopen again). This is a great all round park for almost all occasions. In normal times, the park hosts the annual British Summer Time festival which sees international music artists play to London locals with food stalls and bars popping up everywhere. In winter it is home to the famous 'Winter Wonderland' which sees the park transformed into just that - a Winter Wonderland.

Regents Park and Primrose Hill

My number 1. When I first moved to London, I was fortunate enough to rent a place overlooking Primrose Hill and Regents park. I spent my first couple of London years residing in North West London and I love nothing more than going back to my old haunt. Another of the Royal Parks, Regent's park is huge, and home to London Zoo and a lot of cricket! In the summer months there are various tag rugby events etc. there is also a huge boating lake were you can admire surrounding houses including that of the Sultan of Brunei.

Primrose Hill is s short walk across a little bridge from Regents park - past London Zoo. It boasts one of the best views of a London Skyline. This is a non-cycling park but you can park your bike and walk to the top of the hill for a picnic. There are lots of dogs out for a walk and this is a great place for celeb spotting on neighboring Regents park road - home to a lot of A-Lister's.

Hamstead Heath

Another North West London beauty - Hamstead heath is one of the largest open spaces in London covering 320 hectares. The Heath is rambley and hilly, great for bikes. It has multiple lakes and ponds - some as bathing ponds separated for the sexes historically with a male and female bathing pond - however I would assume these will stay closed during the pandemic. Non the less this is a great spot for meeting up with friends and social distancing outdoors with views all across London.

Clapham Common

Another South West London go to, this 220 acres of green space, with three ponds and a Victorian bandstand is much adorned by locals who frequent the park for all manors of outdoor activities. In the summer there are a lot of picnics and day drinking - but civilised of course - there are lost of young families around. Everyone can enjoy Clapham Common.

Mitcham Common

Mitcham Common is slightly off the beaten track - a lesser known park in zone three, in South West London, this 460 acre green space is a local delight. Having lived between Tooting and Mitcham for the last three years - it is only during lockdown that I discovered this park in all its glory. It's a slightly wild park, less groomed but perfect for social distancing, dog walking and cycling. There is a huge golf course near by and a pond which seems to attract dogs looking for a little dip. I also came across a wetlands / nature reserve whilst exploring Mitcham Common so I think I will take another little trip back again very soon to see what other wonders I can find.

Bishops Park

Looking onto the river Thames, located in Fulham, Bishops park is small and quaint but a great space for families, kids and dogs and if you want to sit gazing at the river watching the world go by. I also cycle through Bishops park on my cycle to work it is a well maintained park which also has a skate park and a little mini beach for kids to play in summer. There is also a small pond, although I have seen many water rats here so I try and avoid. This is a great spot to watch the famous Oxford to Cambridge Boat race (held in April each year). On a typical weekend there is a farmers market selling local English produce and in summer months there tends to be an outdoor cinema showing recent blockbusters. The Corona Crisis makes us wonder if little community extras like this will resume this side of Christmas if at all. Lets see.

Fulham Palace Park

Tucked away behind huge walls in Bishops Park, is the stunning Fulham Palace Grounds. Not everyone knows about it though so I do cast it as one of London's 'Hidden' gems. There are a few offices here, and whilst the Gardens may not necessarily be open to the public all of the time, as there are a lot of corporate events held here (most of my summer parties included) there are still parts that can be explored by the public. There is a cafe that the public can access, in a Grade II listed building and then surrounding park area. It is a much more intimate setting for a private picnic or away from the crowds on sunny days. Peaceful I would say.

Wimbledon Common

Possibly one of the more frequented Common's all 460 hectares encompasses the three park-lands of Wimbledon Common, Putney Heath, and Putney Lower Common in South West London. I love cycling to Wimbledon common to chill by the pond and read a book, picnic with friends or just watch the world go by. My favourite part however, is exploring the hidden Cannizaro Park and gardens. This is definitely a hidden gem - quite literally hidden to the side of Wimbledon Common, Cannizaro house, now a hotel has beautiful maintained gardens and surrounds that are worth a little dander around. Head over to the Windmill cafe for some refreshments if the heat is all getting too much.

Crystal Palace Park

Located in South East London, Crystal Palace Park (all 80 hectares of it) although located bordering zone 4, a trip to this magnificent park is worth the visit. I cycled there there are many many hills on the journey but it was a great workout and the prize was Crystal Palace Park - the gift that keeps on giving! Even in lockdown there is lots to explore and see. There is a Dinosaur World (for all ages!) a little farm and a maze (both of which are closed during lockdown) but still so much to explore and see and the area has such a rich history. Perfect for a day out for pretty much any occasion.

Battersea Park

Battersea Park is a 200-acre green space located on the river Thames by Chelsea Bridge in South West London. I love meeting up with friends here and taking a stroll by the river and watching the sunset over Albert Bridge.

Dulwich Park

Located in South East London is a smaller (30 -hectare) quaint park with a boating lake situated in Dulwich Village. This is a perfect spot for a coffee and a read and a little time out. There is also a cafe / pavilion where you can get some ice cream, or better still some park drinks. When the sun comes out everyone flocks here for picnics. Great for walking the dogs and dog and people watching too. I was delighted when I discovered mini bottle of Prosecco on sale at the cafe. Never too early to pop open the bubbles is it?

Richmond Park

The mother of all London Parks, Richmond park is the largest of all the Royal Parks in London boasting 955 hectares and is home to stunning Grade-Listed buildings and a plethora of wildlife including red and falloe deer that roam freely within much of the park. Perfect for a picnic and bike ride with friends and family or on a romantic date.

Morden Hall Park

Morden Hall Park is a National Trust park located on the banks of the River Wandle in Morden, South London. It covers over 50 hectares of parkland with the River Wandle meandering through it spanned by numerous footbridges. I have only recently discovered this park on one of my lockdown excursions. It is home to Morden Hall Garden Centre (which fingers crossed will be opening soon). this is a great little park to ride to and park up and go for a stroll around with a friend or two.

Brockwell Park

If anyone has not yet been to the big open green delight that is Brockwell Park, I would highly recommend a visit. I cycled here with some friends and the views across the city are pretty spectacular. it is a perfect space for picnicking (and social distancing) as the park is so vast and spacious there is plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the views!

Get out and enjoy all the green spaces - I will update this post as my excursions across London continue throughout lockdown and beyond.

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