London, England is one of the world’s greenest cities. This capital city is home to many beautiful parks, and no visit to the UK would be complete without checking out at least one or two of them. They differ in their offerings, and many of them are large enough to make you forget that you’re in the middle of a bustling, global city! If you have England on your upcoming vacation itinerary, here are some of London’s parks that you will want to make time to see:
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Hyde Park Hyde park is a large urban park encompassing 350 acres with a lake, flower gardens, a large meadow and over 4,000 trees. In the summer, you can go swimming and boating, and starting in November, you can enjoy ice skating. There is a great children’s playground, bicycle paths and even horse trails. Bring along your equipment if you’d like to play tennis or other sports. If you get hungry, there are two restaurants located near the lake. Hyde Park is home to the Joy of Life Fountain and the Serpentine Bridge (pictured here.) On Sundays, various people come to the park to share their thoughts at Speaker’s Corner, so if you’re there on a weekend, you might want to keep this in mind and see what some of London’s speakers have to say.
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Richmond Park The largest Royal Park in London is Richmond Park, spanning about 2,500 acres. Here you will be able to relax in the beauty of wildlife and appreciate beautiful amenities. The park is home to 650 free-roaming deer, so chances are great that you’ll catch a glimpse of one of these shy, peaceful creatures. There are two playgrounds for your children’s enjoyment, and two golf courses for yours. In addition, you can go fishing, horseback riding or cycling. There are refreshments located in various areas of the park. If you prefer to sit down to enjoy a meal, there’s a cafe and also Pembroke Lodge, a restaurant located inside a mansion.
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Regent’s Park If sports or roses are your thing, then you will have to make time to visit Regent’s Park. Encompassing over 400 acres, Regent’s Park is the biggest outdoor area catering to those who want to play sports, including rugby, cricket and football (soccer to Americans). The park is also home to gorgeous rose gardens. Included in the acreage of Regent’s Park is the London Zoo and several cafes. If you meander up Primrose Hill, you will be able to enjoy one of the best views of London that the city offers.
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St. James’s Park St. James’s Park is a smaller Royal Park with many different things to see. During the summer, you can witness the changing of the guards each day; during the rest of the year, this occurrence takes place every other day. Many national celebratory events and parades take place here. If you like animals, you’ll enjoy the water birds, owls and bats that live on the grounds. Children in particular will enjoy watching the daily feeding of the pelicans, which takes place mid-afternoon each day.
Other parks in London include Greenwich Park, Hampstead Heath, Clapham Common, Victoria Park, Battersea Park and Lee Valley Park. Although London is a busy metropolis and a bustling city, you can take some time to simply enjoy the climate and historical significance of the city by visiting one of London’s parks on your next trip to the United Kingdom. If you are interested in England tours, there are several that visit parks, and specialty Garden tours for those that want an in-depth visit.
