Are there any big parks in and around London with lakes and quiet spots to sit down and relax ?

Question

some of you might recall me asking a similar questions surrounding 'nice scenic quiet places' to visit in England, well this time round i'd like to know where are the nicest parks in the capital. They should be moderately busy, with quiet spots aplenty - meaning I'd like to be able to lay down soak in the sun surrounded by trees whilst reading a good book , or strum my guitar in peace - all this while enjoying a cold beer or two

Oh, a park near by historical monuments/buildings would be nice - as I could kill 2 birds with one stone and do some filming with my digital camcorder.

I've only heard of 'Regents park' but have little next to no idea where abouts it is, as I've had little next to no reason to venture out there until now that is. Is that a nice park ?

This sounds silly, but i'd appreciate the park ridden with many seating spots - and public toiles !. A park without benches and especialy one without public toilets worries me somewhat.

Answer 1

Absolutely loads! London is one of the greenest cities in the world believe it or not. The 'Royal Parks' which are Green Park, Regent's Park, Hyde Park and St. James' Park are most central. They are all within walking distance of each other and absolutely surrounded with historical buildings and monuments (Marble Arch, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square.... I could go on and on). I'd definitely recommend Hyde Park for interest value (find the Peter Pan tree or Speaker's Corner) or St James' for prettiness and pelicans!

Alternatively you could go up to Hampstead Heath, which is a couple miles out of the centre but has the most amazing views across all of London. It's like miles of wild heathland, but there are some really good seats and facilities, including bathing pools, tennis courts and toilets. People hang out on Parliament Hill flying kites or having picnics or whatever, but there's loads more to explore.

Have fun!! Hx

Answer 2

Regents Park

Hyde Park

Green Park

St Jame`s Park and many more smaller ones and open gardens,,there are literally dozens and dozens within the tourist part of london,,

Answer 3

Try visiting Regent's Park. Great place to appreciate flora and fauna. I personally love going there. You take get off at Baker Street Station (as it is very close to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum) or you can get off at Regent's Park Station.

Answer 4

Loads,

Hyde Park

Regents park

Hampstead heath

St James park

to name just a few

all have facilities, or within walking distance

most of these are surrounded by historical buildings, or within a short distance. Regents park is one of the nicest i think, has beautiful displays of flowers and shrubbery  and the way its spread out, has a open air theatre in the middle of the park, and lots of quiet spots to just chill out, cafeterias for a coffee and food.

Hyde Park, sprawling, near to Buckingham Palace, and lots of other historical buildings

Hampstead Heath more open and wild in a way than the others and huge, you can walk for ages, it can be a bit hilly in parts but its lovely.

You are spoilt for choice.

Answer 5

Yes, any Chelsea footballers home.

Answer 6

Regents park

http://theclickinfo.com/Regents_park_lon...

Hyde Park

http://theclickinfo.com/Hyde_Park_london...

Greenwich Park

http://theclickinfo.com/Greenwich_Park_l...

Holland Park

http://theclickinfo.com/Holland_Park_lon...

Waterlow Park

http://theclickinfo.com/Water_Park_londo...

Answer 7

Richmond Park in Richmond, you can take the train from Earls Court or you can take buses as well.  The best way is to search the internet.  There is plenty others.

Answer 8

I've yet to see a park in England without benches. And all the ones I've mentioned have cafes, so even if there aren't toilets elsewhere, you'll find them there for the price of a cuppa.

Having read your wish-list, Regent's Park, Kensington Gardens and St James's Park sound like the three best that our lovely green city can offer you in the heart of town. They're particularly good in terms of having 'quiet spots aplenty'.  

Regent's Park: wonderful flowers, lots of grass with shady trees; many wandery little paths off the main cycle/walking routes. I particularly love Queen Mary's Garden, at the heart of the park in the Inner Circle. Oh, and the Open Air Theatre does magical productions on summer evenings. The park's neighbours include London  Zoo and the Regent's Park Canal (boat trips or towpath strolls).

Kensington Gardens: trees, grass, lake, cafes, art galleries. Plus lots of quiet wandery bits away from the main tourist hotspots (Princess Diana's memorial playground, the charmingly carved Elfin Oak just outside the playground and Peter Pan's statuen, near the Long Water lake)

Kensington Palace, the fabulously over-the-top Albert Memorial and the Royal Albert Hall (concerts including the great BBC summer Proms series) are just some of the historic landmarks to visit around and in the park.

St James's Park: traditionally, the place where old-school spies would meet! Its flowers are probably the best of all the Royal Parks; a gorgeous lake flows through it (don't let the swans near your picnic... let alone your beer!) and has truly fairytale views, over the lake and trees, of the towers and spires of Whitehall and Horseguards' Parade.

More info on all three (including lovely pictorial maps showing landmarks, footpaths etc -- and toilets!), plus details of all the other royal parks: http://www.royalparks.org.uk/

Further out, I'd recommend either...

Greenwich Park (trees, deer and the Royal Observatory and Queen's House...) or

Kenwood, on Hampstead Heath (gorgeous Georgian historic house with cafe etc so toilets no problem) -- wonderful landscaped, wooded parkland with lake -- open-air concerts held in summer. =D

... or, lastly, the Botanic Gardens at Kew (I'm afraid you have to pay to get into it, but it's outstanding enough to be a World Heritage Site). Acres and acres of naturalistically planted flowers, awe-inspiring trees, enormous Victorian glasshouses, plus Kew Palace by way of historic buildings...

I wish you sunny days and beautiful sunsets for all your park visits here. =D

Love from a Londoner born and bred.