Best Nature and Wildlife Areas in Bray Lake

"This ancient expanse of common land straddling a high ridge between Hampstead and Highgate is, perhaps, London’s most beloved open space. Its rolling hills and meadows, copses and glades, glittering ponds and views conjure a deep sense of the rural that simply doesn’t exist elsewhere. A summer’s picnic in the long grass, kite-flying on Parliament Hill or tobogganing down it in the snow, a splash in the bathing ponds, a Sunday ramble to emerge muddy-booted at a village pub or Kenwood (no.3) – these are sacred institutions for many, many Londoners, who would probably lay down their lives for the Heath if they had to."

"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."

"Get back to nature in Hampstead Heath: an ancient woodland and wild green space in the north of London. Climb Parliament Hill, which offers a breathtaking view of the London cityscape, and explore the heath’s various nature trails and playgrounds."

"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."

"Just when you thought mac and cheese couldn’t get anymore indulgent, the folks at Dirty Bones decide to deep fry it to make gooey bite-sized treats. They come served with a sweet chilli sauce to cut through the creamy pasta. When the cheese strings from your mouth, that’s when you know it’s great junk food."

"Not a name to go shy when it comes to hunking great plates in London, join Dirty Bones this Shrove Tuesday as their double dutch pancakes are topped with your choice of 10 amazing ingredients, from fresh strawberries marinated in lavender to fried chicken."

"We went there first time as I heard from my friends Bluegrass is very good restaurant. We were not disappointed!. The portions are huge, the staff is nice and polite, fast with cold drinks service (specially in this weather) As a person who worked in chain restaurants, i can say i really loved the fact that the glasses are really clean, cooled and filled up with fresh ice."

"With a passion for Real American BBQ, Bluegrass bring the genuine flavours of the Southern States to the UK. They take British meats and cook them the true....."

"A deservedly popular spot, BOWLS practices the philosophies that underpin all good food; simple ideas, good ingredients and craftsmanship. It’s the brainchild of Le Cordon Bleu alumna Zarifa Ragimova, who graduated from our Diplôme de Cuisine in 2016. The Caribbean/Asian fusion restaurant serves almost everything within a hearty bowl and their dishes include Caribbean BBQ Jerk Chicken with Rice n Peas, Korean Bibimbap, BBQ Pulled Pork Bao, Japanese Miso Aubergine and Jamaican Curry Goat."

"Over in Notting Hill, Cloud Twelve is a wellness and lifestyle club set across three floors. There’s a salon, spa and holistic wellness clinic, plus a healthy brasserie and creche. Treatments include drawl-worthy massages, facials, pre and post-natal rituals and treatments specifically designed for men."

"I was looking for a spa hotel mini-break for an anniversary celebration (last minute due to personal schedules). Everything was so booked up, over-priced (in my opinion), or not suitable. I then found a too-good-to-be-true offer on the Richmond Habour Hotel Spa website (whilst searching all their Harbour Hotel sites) which was worth taking a risk for."

"The Gates Restaurant at the Richmond Gate Hotel serves fresh, imaginative food in a relaxed dining room. The menu is packed with rich flavours showcasing British and Mediterranean influences, using carefully sourced produce to create elegantly presented…"

"Combining both Italian and Japanese ingredients and techniques, Angelina’s eight-course tasting menu is available for takeaway, priced at £34 per-person. New to November, the Dalston restaurant has added Thursday and Saturday orders to the bi-weekly changing menu. Dishes are set to include the likes of sea bream, truffle, and furikake; tuna, lardo, and Moromi; and Kakuni pork."

"Heritage grains, baby: they’re complex, resilient, delicious, and make for some absolutely slobber knocker breads and pastries. Big Jo uses field blend populations of heritage grains which are sewn directly into the grass and milled into flour on site at the bakery to ensure that every loaf they sell is packed with as much natural goodness as possible. That’s obviously all well and good but you probably want to know what the bakes at Big Jo actually tastes like, right?"

"Big Jo takes the sleek European sensibilities of its siblings Westerns Laundry, Jolene, and Primeur and adds a nostalgic bent, with pizza by the slice, iced buns, and ‘99-esque vanilla soft serve sitting alongside leeks with terracotta romesco or ricotta and herbs. Outdoor tables and parasols abound."

"There's a shop, a 60 cover restaurant open all day "serving all manner of baked goods" at this follow up to Jolene. Add to that a selection of excellent pizza slices and this is another winner from them."