Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Frieden

"This enormous, ancient parkland is one of the best places to escape the city while at the same time catching an amazing view of it: the vista from Parliament Hill, which forms the southeast part of Hampstead Heath, is so impressive it’s actually protected by law. Elsewhere in the park you’ll find a zoo, three swimming ponds (nominal charge, which is often ignored) and plenty of quiet spots for a back-to-nature-in-the-heart-of-London picnic."

"For any list of the best parks in London, it’d be a crime to ignore Hampstead Heath. Closest to the Hampstead Heath overground, or the Hampstead station if you’re going via tube, here you can enjoy your sandwiches on top of Parliament Hill while taking in stunning views of London. It’s even got its very own swimming ponds should the weather be particularly nice."

"One of the more natural and untamed parks in London, Hamstead Heath is 320 hectares of parklands with stunning views over London from the top of Parliament Hill."

"Covering over 210 acres, Victoria Park sits in east London along the Hertford Union Canal, just a few blocks west of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. On the eastern side of the park, tourists will find the majority of sports facilities, including a cricket pitch, soccer field, tennis courts, and a running track. There are also plenty of facilities for family recreation, including the main playground, a splash pad, an impressive skate park, and a model boating lake; the traditional Old English Garden is located just north of the lake and playground."

"Definitely one of East London’s finest green areas, Victoria Park combines wide open green space, a pretty epic playground, a killer cafe (brunch is highly recommended), hidden pagodas and a lake for the peddle boat enthusiasts out there. A great walk for kids and adults alike, Victoria park is one of the best parks in London to visit."

"Located in South Hackney, Victoria Park is the oldest public park in London. It’s packed full of canals and ponds as well as a large green space for a kick-about or a kip in the sunshine. For more things to do, there’s also a deer enclosure, tree walk events and café in the heart of the park."

"This Stoke Newington spot has held a Green Flag award since 2006, and is deservedly popular. It's very child friendly, with a decent play area and even a small zoo (and, like Richmond park, boasts deer also). In a pre-lockdown world, the park often hosted events, from twilight walks in search of bats to football festivals to sessions discovering the edible fruit and flowers which grow in the grounds."

"It’s got tennis courts and bowling green for when you’re feeling particularly energetic, but the park itself is big enough to get a good stroll in. You can see the whole thing by walking the perimeter, looping in the Grade-II listed Clissold House and the lakes on the way. If that doesn’t earn you a picnic after, nothing does."

"Clissold Park is a great park to come and enjoy some nature in London. Easy to get to from Stoke Newington you can enjoy peaceful waters and cute, inquisitive deer within minutes of leaving central London."

"Born from a man’s dream to recapture the American diner scene, along with home-grilled burgers, hand-cut fries and thick milkshakes, Big Moe’s diner perfectly encapsulates classic American eating. Their menu spoils you for choice, from chargrilled beef and chicken burgers, lamb ribs and steaks to Cod and veggie options. If you want to start your day right, their breakfast menu serves New York-style Cro-dough and huge platters of beef sausages and chicken rashers served with free-range eggs and baked beans."

"Restaurants Global Moorgate. It’s American dude food with attitude at this deliberately scruffy City hangout, which comes courtesy of London’s BBQ king Neil Rankin (Pitt Cue, Temper etc). Neon signage flashes and a punk soundtrack plays as punters sit at diner-style booths and hoover up dishes from a deliciously meaty, US-style menu – think pulled pork and kimchi hash, pancakes topped with fried chicken… and lots of good eggs."

"Feast on pancakes topped with fried chicken, banana and maple syrup. City Point, 1 Ropemaker Street, City, London, EC2Y 9AW. Tube: Moorgate Station"

"Restaurants Global Moorgate"

"Located on an island in the middle of the bustling Strand, St Clement Danes Church church offers an oasis of calm. Explore the famous London church, whose bells are mentioned in the traditional Oranges and Lemons nursery rhyme, and hear them ring out across the City of London several times a day. Reconsecrated as the Central Church of the Royal Air Force in 1958, the church is also home to books of remembrance and more than 1,000 RAF badges."

"St Clement Danes church is one of the best-known churches in Westminster, London. It’s a fine white Baroque building with a prominent spire on a traffic island in the Strand, close to the Royal Courts of Justice. It’s famous for the nursery rhyme ‘Oranges and lemons ring the bells of St Clement’s’, and it’s not the only church in our list to get a mention in."

"Christopher Wren and James Gibbs rebuilt the original 9th-century church, but only its outer walls and steeple survived destruction in the Blitz"

"20-30 stalls serve food from all over the world to local workers around Old St. It’s worth a detour if you’re visiting the City or the Barbican. Fortune Street Park, off one of the side streets, has plenty of park benches to eat your food. Or the Two Brewers pub (121 Whitecross St) lets you eat your food inside as long as you buy a drink."

"Dalston Food Market is an amazing little market located in an uber-trendy part of the city. The stalls in this area tend to be cheaper than those in some of the other markets, making this a budget-friendly option."

"Source: Photo by user Nils R. Barth used under PUBLIC DOMAIN. Up next, we have Whitecross Street Market located in central London. This is another market that’s one of London’s oldest."

"Open 7 days a week and located just five minutes walk from Liverpool Street Station, the market has an array of shops and stalls. There are stalls selling all sorts of goodies including trinkets, art, jewellery, vintage clothes, glasses, shoes and more. Shops to browse include Chanel, Dr Martens, MCQ - contemporary brand from the House of Alexander McQueen, and American fashion label Rag & Bone."

"This lively east London market has an eclectic mix of stalls that will satisfy any shopper. It’s open seven days a week, so naturally it’s one of London’s busiest shopping destinations. There are antiques, clothes, jewellery - you name it, they’ve got it."

"An entire market devoted to selling flowers, plants and garden accessories, what more could you ask for?. Wander the Victorian streets of Hackney on a Sunday and you’re sure to stumble across this visually appealing market. Open from 8am-2pm expect to see flower buyers mixed in with photographers and TV crews who frequently use this market as a filming location."

"Whether you’re there to buy flowers or not, Columbia Road is a worthwhile Sunday excursion. Each week, this morning market fills the small street with flourishing plants and shrubs, from English roses to exotic orchids and banana trees. While you’re there, call into Columbia Road’s independent shops for stylish homewares and coffee."

"One of the most traditional romantic places in London has to be Columbia Road’s Flower Market. Even if you’re not interested in buying flowers, the atmosphere and people will certainly romanticise the occasion. It’s a cute and quaint market, and arguably one of the more subtle romantic places around London."