Best Nature and Wildlife Areas in Biggin Hill

"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 been 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."

"Hampstead Heath offers stunning views over the city, but one could be forgiven for not noticing, as there's an awful lot to do there. If you aren't taking a dip in one of the ponds (there are single and mixed options) or the Parliament Hill Lido, you could be running circuits on the athletics track or visiting the Golders Hill zoo. For sheer childhood pleasure, though, the model boating pond is difficult to top (for God’s sake, don’t try to get in for a swim)."

"Huge and sprawling with incredible views, woodlands and open air swimming ponds!. The perfect park for a winter wander, a place to watch the fireworks in London or picnic in the sun and a swim for the brave."

"The Old Deer Park today is an important site for sport and events. The Pools on the Park Complex offers indoor and outdoor pools plus a gym. There are facilities for football, cricket, rugby, an outdoor gym and both hard and grass tennis courts."

"This small Victorian woodland plantation was planted in the 1830s, but not opened to the public until 1953. It’s famed for its evergreen azaleas, which are best viewed in late April or early May. The garden includes the National Collection of Wilson 50 Kurume Azaleas, as well as other rare and unusual shrubs and trees."

"One of Europe’s largest inland wetland projects, this 42-hectare centre run by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust was transformed from four Victorian reservoirs in 2000 and attracts some 140 species of bird, as well as frogs, butterflies, dragonflies and lizards, plus a thriving colony of watervoles. The glass-fronted observatory affords panoramic views over the lakes, while meandering paths and boardwalks lead visitors through the watery habitats of black swans, Bewick's swans, geese, red-crested pochards, sand martins, coots, bitterns, herons and kingfishers."

"Voted in 2012 as Britain’s Favourite Natural Reserve, WWT London Wetland Centre is an oasis of natural wildlife placed right in the heart of London. Managed by Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, this idyllic wetland reserve is located in a loop of the Thames and occupies more than 100 acres of land. Home for a significant number of unique species of birds, insects, amphibians and other wildlife representatives, the Wetland Centre represents a real natural wonder."

"Just ten minutes from Hammersmith, you'll get lost in the London Wetland Centre and its lakes, ponds and gardens. Aside from the daily guided tours, you can meet the otters, feed the birds, or take part in a host of family activities such as pond dipping and nature walks."

"This farm is little further out of London, but a whole day of adventure and fun can be enjoyed here, thanks to a huge array of facilities, besides the friendly animals. There’s indoor soft play at the Bundle Barn, an alpine toboggan run, Dino Dig and Splash play area and an adventure playground. Unlike most of the other city farms in London listed, there is a small entry price for this one (£10) but this includes entry to all indoor and outdoor play areas, activities, animals, bird shows and a tractor ride to the dairy farm."

"A post shared by Georgiebd (@georgie.bd) on May 26, 2018 at 10:23am PDT. Cycle along the paths or take a stroll at Lee Valley Regional Park. Stretching 42km (26 miles) along the river Lee, past Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and up to Ware in Hertfordshire, there is plenty of opportunity to spot wildlife, relax or play."

"Situated in North London, Highgate Wood is one of the four ancient woods of the London Borough of Haringey (together with Queen’s Wood, Coldfall Wood and Bluebell Wood). Containing an impressive variety of trees and shrub species, the Highgate Wood is the home for many foxes, grey squirrels, as well as multiple species of birds, bats, butterflies and spiders. Besides the fact that it was included among the eight Green Heritage Sites in London, Highgate Wood also attracts visitors with its recreational facilities like children playgrounds, cafés, walking trails and sporting fields."

"Restaurants Australian Balham. If your idea of a gentle awakening in the morning is a nice cup of tea while listening to Radio 2, you’d best go elsewhere – you can hear the sound of deep house coming through Milk’s open French windows before you reach the Bedford Hill site. The coffee provides a good caffeine kick – Workshop always seems to feature among its suppliers – and the menu lists some interesting hot dishes, such as confit duck rillettes on toast with burnt grape agridulce, elderberry and strawberry umeboshi."

"If you know, you know – and a lot of south Londoners know about Milk. Balham’s neighbourhood brunch hero has built up a cult following over the years, with the resulting queues resulting in its diminutive, rustic quarters needing to spill out onto al fresco tables. Go green with the Gaia, which tops toast with avocado and bay carrot puree, along with pickled courgettes and pumpkin seed pesto, or get the full morning-after treatment with the Convict muffin, which comes topped with a Gloucester Old Spot pork patty, bacon, egg, Lincolnshire poacher cheese and “hangover sauce”."

"We have to say – these are easily the prettiest and most Instagrammable ice creams and sweet treats you’ll find in London. The candy floss ice cream is a like a work of art, with the only tricky part being getting a perfect photo before the whole thing melts. A delicious scoop of pure beauty."

"Restaurants Ice-cream parlours Camden Town. A Filipino take on an ice-cream parlour, Mamasons peddle the kind of ‘dirty’ stuff you’ll find on the streets of Manila. The signature flavour is ‘ube’ (made with a native purple yam), but also brace yourself for salty cheese-based ‘queso’, vegan-friendly kalamansi or goth-tastic ‘black buko’ (coconut combined with activated charcoal made from the coconut shell)."

"Ice cream that’s sold on the streets of Manila is nicknamed ‘dirty ice cream’. Known for being super affordable yet still delicious, it’s made using little more than ice, salt, a steel pot and a pair of strong hands. Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream is the first filipino ice cream parlour in London and they try to recapture the authenticity, and of course, simplicity of Manila ice cream."

"Try something totally unique at "dirty ice cream" specialist Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream, which brings Filipino flavours and techniques to Chinatown. Don't be fooled by its name, the hygiene is top-notch at this parlour, which churns out flavours such as purple ube, milo, black buko and vegan specials guyabano and calamansi."

"Tucked away in Hackney and Holloway, this 100% vegan kitchen serves up authentic Chinese food that will certainly tickle your tastebuds. Start with the iconic Smacked Cucumber, doused in black vinegar, crushed garlic and sesame oil, or the Meaty Veg and Chinese Chive Dumplings served with fragrant chilli oil. For your main, slurp on the Dan Dan Noodles packed with sesame and peanut flavours and topped with vegan mushroom mince and cucumber."

"Look no further thanMao Chow, one of the best Chinese takeaways in Hackney, which just so happens to boast an entirely meat-free menu. Specialising in all things plant-based, the kitchen's delivery selection may be small but it's sure to please with dishes including sweet and sour broccoli, Chongqing cauliflower and Dan Dan noodles. Say goodbye to tasteless rice dishes and hello to flavourful meatless meals."

"Although the set menu created especially for this weekend’s festivities has sold out, their other delicious food will still be available via – you guessed it – Deliveroo. We’ve got our heart set on the smacked cucumber and the dan dan noodles."

"China’s Uyghur population – increasingly persecuted in China itself – have a cuisine so unique and delicious that it is worth travelling to Walthamstow just to try it (and we don’t say that lightly). The one true outpost of their food in London, Uyghur cuisine sits at the intersection of Middle Eastern and Chinese cooking, bringing in familiar ways of cooking with brand-new flavours or familiar ingredients in ways you’re not used to seeing. Etles serves up all the classics of their cuisine, but the menu is not gospel: there are other dishes you might see coming out to other tables who are more familiar with Uyghur food."

"Chef-owner Mukaddes Yadikar’s acclaimed Uyghur restaurant, is Walthamstow’s finest neighbourhood restaurant. A great option both for smaller and larger households with dishes such as chaomian, a stir-fry of short, cut lengths of noodle wokked with chunks of of beef, spring onion and tomato; and the trademark da pan ji (‘big plate chicken’): a remarkably deep, savoury, and spicy chicken and potato stew, teeming with Sichuan peppercorns, served with flat hand-pulled noodles."

"Restaurants Chinese Walthamstow. Something a bit different: this family-run restaurant specialises in Uyghur cuisine – a fusion of Chinese, Middle Eastern and Persian influences developed by ethnic groups around the Silk Road. Traditional dishes such as ox tongue in chilli and vinegar or herb-marinated lamb hoof with peppers are great value – and a world away from sweet-and-sour."

"329 Harrow Road, Wembley HA9 6BA EnglandChinese, AsianLunch, Dinner, Late NightTakeout, Reservations, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service[email protected]+44 20 8902 2836http://youngspeking.co.uk/"

"329 Harrow Road, Wembley HA9 6BA, EnglandTakeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free WifiChinese, Asian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free OptionsLunch, Dinner, Late Night+44 20 8902 2836"

"The first Aman spa to open outside of one of the brand's luxury resorts. The Connaught, Carlos Place, Mayfair, London, W1K 2AL. Tube: Bond Street Station"

"Located in a historical eighteenth-century building in central London (near to Covent Garden), AIRE Ancient Baths, joins seven other AIRE locations in cities such as New York, Barcelona and Seville and brings the classical tradition of bathing forward into the 21st Century. In addition to the traditional ancient treatments, AIRE Ancient Baths London will offer guests two specialist practices: The Himalayan Salt Experience and The Wine Ritual. The Himalayan Salt Experience is a unique, rejuvenating and stress-relieving three-hour treatment that offers clients a 60-minute massage with hot Himalayan pink salt stones in addition to the traditional Thermal Bath circuit."

"We know what you are thinking but don’t worry, Kanye hasn’t got his little paws into the hotel and spa industry just yet. This Shepherds Bush-based hotel recently underwent a makeover of its own; now a glossy, glass-clad hipster-ish paradise with staff donning the latest in toned-down designer apparel, a restaurant that offers a ‘glam rock’ afternoon tea. Oh and did we mention an in-house DJ that rocks out the beats in the hotel lobby until 2AM on Friday and Saturday?"

"Book in for some freeze-thaw action at the K Spa at K West Hotel, an oasis of calm in a stylishly modernised former BBC office block in Shepherd's Bush. The basement spa is the first in London to feature a 'Snow Paradise' - the place to come when you want to cool off in minus 15 degrees powder snow."

"A luxury London retreat where friends and couples delight in the stylish, contemporary bliss of the spa before flirting with inventive cocktails and creative afternoon teas."