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

"We couldn’t have a best parks list and not have Richmond park, could we?. Deers galore in one of London’s most tranquil and largest of the royal parks in the capital. It offers a multitude of walks for whatever ability."

"Always sad to see some of the big stag go but it’s how the park is managed and has lasted so long."

"Hampstead Heath Park London is one of the most loved parks in London. There’s plenty of things to do like visiting the Parliament Hill, Golders Hill Park-with a zoo and a gorgeous butterfly house, an open-air Lido, swimming ponds, splash pools, countless sports pitches and facilities, athletics track, playgrounds, stunning listed Pergola and Hill Garden. The list of things to do at Hampstead Heath doesn’t end!"

"While it doesn’t have the biodiversity of Kew, Hampstead Heath is a public park that has something else worth taking in—a view. While the woods and ponds are certainly lovely themselves, what really draws people is Parliament Hill, which offers one of the highest natural views of the city. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic to celebrate the day."

"This is a very popular park/green area, as it’s a particularly beautiful spot in London that offers you stunning views of the city. There is a lovely lido too that your children will love swimming in before you find a spot to have the perfect picnic."

"The botanic gardens at Kew, in Richmond, were first opened to the public in 1840 after the royal family established the gardens initially and started to bring plants from overseas from 1759. Because of the royal family’s continued interest in Richmond, the areas of Kew and Richmond became one of the most fashionable places to live, especially in the 18th century. Today, Kew Gardens focuses on plant and fungi research whilst housing the largest collection of plants in the world."

"If you’re into floral photography, Kew Gardens houses one of the world’s largest and most diverse collections of living plants. This expansive botanical garden is absolutely magical. It contains numerous greenhouses, a tree-top walkway, an exotic rainforest, and so much more."

"If you are on museum overload, skip some of the museums on this itinerary and journey out to Kew Gardens. Take a Walking Tour of London"

"When you’re done, you’ll emerge blinking into the light, where you might want to take a stroll around St. James Park, or head through Whitehall to see the home of the British Prime Minster at No. 10 Downing Street, before finishing up at Trafalgar Square, where you’ve got full access to all the shows in the West End – an excellent way to spend the evening ahead! The Churchill War Rooms are very popular, so we advise booking in advance or using a London Pass, which has free entry to the War Rooms and access to the pre-booked ticket queue, which is a lot faster. You can see prices and opening times here."

"This is a well-known park in Westminster, central London and it’s a great pit stop for a picnic lunch if you’re tired after a morning of sightseeing around the area. A sunny day here is a day well spent and the playground is sure to please children from toddlers to under-eights thanks to its sand, swings and climbing areas."

"St James’s Park is the park you’ll walk through between Horse Guards’ Parade and Buckingham Palace. It has a lake, plenty of ducks and swans and a really nice kids’ playground just steps from Buckingham Palace. This would be a good place to take a kid friendly breather before or after the changing of the guard."

"Built by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in 1515 but coaxed from him by Henry VIII just before Wolsey (as chancellor) fell from favour, Hampton Court Palace is England's largest and grandest Tudor structure. It was already one of Europe's most sophisticated palaces when, in the 17th century, Christopher Wren designed an extension. The result is a beautiful blend of Tudor and 'restrained baroque' architecture. You could easily spend a day exploring the palace and its 24 hectares of riverside gardens, including a 300-year-old maze."

"I’m thinking Windsor Castle, or Hampton Court Palace – both eminently explorable, and easy to reach with a car. If you want to save money on the above attractions, and will be visiting a few, then you should definitely consider investing in a London Pass. Available in 1, 3 and 6 day versions, the savings can really be quite impressive if you plan on visiting a few locations. You can read a full break down on if the London Pass is worth buying here, and buy one yourself here."

"Built on an old railway line, this garden is yet another community endeavour—filled with trees, shrubs, butterfly bushes and raised beds for growing food!. COVID-19 UPDATE: Dalston Eastern Curve Garden is currently closed to the public. For the latest information, head to their website."

"A wild green space in the heart of King’s Cross, run by the London Wildlife Trust as an urban nature reserve for birds, butterflies, bats and a wide variety of plant life. Come here for peaceful walks in the wetlands, woodlands and meadow, but for an extra dose of tranquillity, spend some time on the newly added floating platform – part island/part hideaway – which offers close up views of both the canal and the park. The park is temporarily closed, but will re-open in Spring 2019."

"Bars and pubs Gastropubs King’s Cross. With its first-floor wraparound terrace and an alfresco area overlooking Regent’s Canal in King’s Cross, this capacious bar-restaurant hybrid is a magnet for waterside drinkers and diners. The Lighterman’s alfresco spaces all operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so prepare for a bun fight on hot days."

"Apparently one of the most profitable spots in King's Cross (during normal times) and it's not hard to see why - the first floor has a wrap-around terrace, the ground floor pub has a lovely outside seating area overlooking Granary Square and there's a canalside bar terrace too."

"Set beside Regent's Canal, The Lighterman is a stunning all-day bistro with a sunny terrace perfect for alfresco-style drinking and dining. Open from 7:30am, this place serves boozy brunches, quick lunches and sumptuous Sunday feasts - all with a gorgeous waterside backdrop."

"Having quietly taken over the kitchen in between lockdowns, head chef Ruth Hansom (you might recognise the 25-year-old from the BBC’s Great British Menu) has used the agonisingly quiet downtime to perfect an ambitious tasting menu. Five or eight-courses are served upstairs, while more casual punters will find excellent pub classics and snacks (Beef Wellington, Bakewell tart...) on the ground floor. Sundays are all about the roasts."

"Chef-to-watch Ruth Hansom heads up the kitchen at this East London gastropub and we encountered not a single dud dish on our visit. All incredibly reasonably priced too."

"32-34 Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge, London SW1X Why should you care?. This is the second Crazy Pizza to hit London, coming from ex-Formula One boss, Flavio Briatore. Expect similar pizzas to the original, just around the corner from Harrods."

"With a selection of Italian plates for all diets, Q Verde caters to all tastes. Whether it's bruschetta topped with garlic, olive oil and basil, or a gorgeous risotto with mushrooms and spinach you are seeking, this restaurant is a sublime option for a family or group meal out where there is a variety of tastes. It’s clear to see that Q Verde pride themselves on the presentation of their food."

"Only six minutes away from the Kew Botanic Gardens, Q Verde is a popular Mediterranean restaurant on Sandycombe Road that has a delightful villagey vibe."