Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Staines-upon-Thames

"Richmond Park is right in the midst of Greater London but covering 2500 acres of land, you feel instantly transported to the middle of the countryside. The largest of London’s 8 royal parks, it has a long history linked to the royal family since the 13th Century. Richmond Park is a National Nature Reserve and London’s largest Site of Special Scientific Interest."

"The highest point in Richmond Park affords uninterrupted views of the London skyline. This is the largest of the Royal Parks where you will be able to observe wild deer running freely. Be sure to visit the Isabella Plantation, an ornamental woodland garden full of exotic plants."

"A little further afield but worth the trip is Richmond Park. London’s largest park is home to deer and various other wildlife, woodlands, hills, trails for riding and walking and large open fields."

"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!"

"So everyone knows about Hampstead Heath but it’s still the place to go for a picnic. Not only is it massive, so plenty of room for everyone, but you get mega views from the top of Parliament Hill, you’ve got the ponds and a lido for when you wanna take a dip and it’s a lovely walk up to Kenwood House."

"For generations, Londoners have headed to Hampstead Heath to escape the dirt and noise of the city, and this unique 791-acre expanse…"

"In 1759 botanists began rummaging around the world for specimens to plant in the 3-hectare Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. They never stopped collecting, and the gardens, which have bloomed to 121 hectares, provide the most comprehensive botanical collection on earth (including the world's largest collection of orchids). A Unesco World Heritage Site, the gardens can easily devour a day's exploration; for those pressed for time, the Kew Explorer hop-on/hop-off road train takes in the main sights."

"Take a break from the hustle and bustle of London and retreat to the beautiful and relaxing Kew Gardens. This green oasis in southwest London is believed to be the largest and most diverse botanical garden on earth. You can book single visits online, or if you’re a local, you might like to consider becoming a member for free entry year-round."

"One of Richmond’s most famous attractions is perfect for visiting all year round. Wander around the ever-changing gardens and explore the wildlife, with attractions that include an indoor rainforest climate in the Palm House, an 18-metre high Treetop Walkway and guided walking tours."

"St James’s Park might not be the biggest or the flashiest but it is the oldest of London’s eight Royal Parks and the perfect place for picnic, unless you’re afraid of the birds that is. Not only do the famous pelicans take roost on Duck Island but there’s also 17 other species of birds flapping about. But of course all that bird watching is thirsty work, so once you’ve ruffled enough feathers and erm, not taken a pic outside Buckingham Palace, get stuck into that spread."

"Located in Westminster by Buckingham Palace, St James’ Park is 57 glorious acres of royal history, landmarks and gorgeous city lookouts. Enjoy the the vast lake and the seventeen resident species of birds from the comfort of an old fashioned stripy deckchair (boater hat optional). The Queen lives just up the road but you’re more likely to catch a glimpse of the squadron of pelicans (yes, really) that reside within the park."

"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."

"Between Waterloo and Hungerford bridges you can retreat to the landscaped Victoria Embankment Gardens, where you will find an unmatched tranquillity in this tourist area. In the summer recline on deckchairs and take in a bandstand performance."

"A post shared by Peter Scordellis (@petersco7) on May 25, 2020 at 11:59am PDT. Head to Victoria Park, or "Vicky Park" if you ask a local, to explore the canals, ponds and pavilion in the capital's first public park. Bordering Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, you'll find plenty of places for sport and events during the summer months."

"It’s no secret that I love Victoria Park’s brilliant Sunday market. Head to the section of the park just past the Gore Gate to discover a gastronomic delight. Each week, farmers truck in with their stalls brimming with the kind of fresh fruits and veg you couldn’t even dream of finding in the supermarket."

"You can also be a little sporty at the tennis court or the sports playground. Did you know that over nine million people visit Victoria Park every year?. No wonder it is known as the People’s Park in London."

"London’s largest art museum – the eighth-biggest art museum in the world – has more than 100 galleries displaying everything from photography to jewellery. It has put on some of the city’s most talked-about exhibitions in recent years: the curators have become known for their hot-ticket fashion displays of designers including Christian Dior and Alexander McQueen. Make sure to visit the permanent Rapid Response Collection, which has contemporary pieces that react to significant moments in recent history, such as the pussyhats worn at protests against the election of Donald Trump to a 3D-printed Extinction Rebellion coin."

"Stop 2: Get Cultured At The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) Take your fashionista to the V&A to marvel at all the incredible fashion through the decades for the second stop on your London itinerary. This large museum is a treasure trove for historians, designers, and connoisseurs alike and will educate even the most ignorant of tourists on the styles and traditions of the world’s multicultural past. Make sure to block out a decent amount of time as the V&A is a huge museum."

"Over in South Kensington, the V&A is another of the best museums in London. Dedicated to all things aesthetic, it’s the world’s largest museum of applied and decorative arts and design. Walking through the V&A is a treat for the eyes."

"Whitechapel Gallery is known for hosting groundbreaking thematic exhibitions and retrospectives of formidable artists such as Eduardo Paolozzi and Sarah Lucas. Originally launched to bring art and culture to the Whitechapel community, it continues to present an engaging exhibition and education programme, including the annual Whitechapel Open, which champions new artists. Over the years this space has helped introduce Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Frida Kahlo to a London audience."

"The Whitechapel Gallery is a touchstone for contemporary art internationally, plays a central role in London’s cultural landscape and is pivotal to the continued growth of the world’s most vibrant contemporary art quarter."

"Whitechapel Gallery is an art gallery in Whitechapel on the northside of Whitechapel High Street. Designed by Charles Harrison Townsend it opened its doors in 1901 as the first public gallery in London."

"At the forefront of London’s ramen craze, launched in 2012, Tonkotsu now has 11 London sites. While closed for eat-in customers, the restaurants’ Bankside, Battersea, Ealing, East, Mare Street, Notting Hill, Peckham, Selfridges Oxford Street, Soho, and Stratford sites are currently offering delivery and click and collect via Deliveroo. Further information can be found at tonkotsu.co.uk."

"A post shared by Tonkotsu Bar & Ramen (@tonkotsulondon) on Aug 24, 2018 at 5:19am PDT. Sometimes what you need is a big bowl of noodles, and we can't think of a better ramen offering than at Tonkotsu. The miso and shimeji mushroom ramen uses a stock that is deeply, deeply savoury with perfect bouncy homemade noodles, packed with veg and that deliciously seasoned egg on top."

"Riding the noodle new wave that started washing over London in 2012, Tonkotsu plies a no-nonsense trade in Kyoto-style ramen – distinguished by its creamy pork-bone broth. No frills and no bookings, but there are global beers for a ‘big night out’, Tokyo-style. Flagship site: 63 Dean Street, W1D 4QG"

"A delivery, Deliveroo-only kitchen — so proceed informed — which adds a regionally diverse option to a share of good Cantonese options in west London. A crimson, brooding mapo tofu is excellent, with skewers of barbecued lamb or chicken holding up surprisingly well; skip the noodle dishes and seriously consider the pork and Chinese cabbage dumplings."

"There’s only one place that we could be talking about and it’s, of course, Mayfair’s hottest restaurant, Sexy Fish. The restaurant brought in giant international names like the Martin Brudnizki Design Studio team and architect Frank Gehry to create sensational underwater motifs."

"Cuisine: AsianHalal Options: Not Halal, but various Fish optionsAddress: Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 6BRWebsite: https://www.sexyfish.com/Nearest Tube Stop: Green Park"

"The one-time Ramsay protégé won over London with Pollen Street Social and now has a mini-empire of restaurants including Social Eating House, Berners Tavern and this small spot near Regent Street. Here, Atherton has created a menu of French bistro classics with modern — and often British — twists. Think Cornish cod with cockles, terrine with smoked duck, ox cheeks with bone marrow, or a cottage pie ‘Bourguignon’."