Best Nature and Wildlife Areas in Canning Town

"If the ladies’, men’s and mixed bathing ponds seem a bit too murky, take your children to the lido, instead. While still brisk, the water here tends to be warmer, and after you tire the children out in the water, roam the heath and find the perfect picnicking spot for the day. The heath has no great playgrounds – though, if you must, there are plenty in neighbouring Hampstead and Highgate – but the glorious park offers endless space for roaming, plenty of wooded areas for discovering natural forts, and space for sport."

"Hampstead Heath is a favorite for Londoners, a quiet oasis that provides the illusion of a countryside getaway within one of the world's busiest cities. This sprawling and irregularly shaped park is located north of the city center, just beyond The Regent's Park. Its best-known features are the three natural bathing ponds: one designated for males, another for females, and the third for anyone."

"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."

"Full of rare and unusual trees and shrubs, the Isabella Plantation is a beautiful spot set in the depths of Richmond Park. It’s a green space for most of the year, but in April & May, the azaleas bloom and Isabella Plantation becomes a perfect pink paradise. COVID-19 UPDATE: Isabella Plantation is currently closed to the public."

"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."

"Two Tree Island is a small island just southwest of Leigh-on-Sea and connected only by a bridge. With its breathtaking sights and a wealth of various wildlife to observe and explore, it’s no wonder that Two Tree Island is so popular with bird watchers and nature enthusiasts."

"This dog-friendly east London café is certainly one to add to your London vegan food roster. Not only is there a full vegan English breakfast, complete with crispy hash browns, roasted plum tomatoes and grilled sourdough dripping in creamy vegan butter, they also serve seriously generous portions, leaving even the hungriest of customers full. There’s far more than fry ups on offer, though: the spicy coconut ramen is a delightful winter warmer, served with silky tofu, shiitake mushrooms and thick udon noodles deliciously slurped up when drizzled in hot chilli oil."

"Italian-originating Said is the London offshoot of Rome’s oldest chocolate shop, but the gravity of such status doesn’t stop it from getting a little silly. Hot chocolate here transcends warm beverage to full-blown dessert – rich, thick, molten chocolate is spooned into cups so generously it often overflows. Cakes can be ordered here too, with the option of adding a dutiful drenching of hot milk, dark or white chocolate sauce."

"Another Tower Hamlets market being held back, a return to the vintage clothing and street food paradise that is Brick Lane is likely at least another weekend away. We’ll keep you updated on any more openings we hear of – and with the summer starting to begin in earnest, we’ll keep our fingers crossed that wandering lazily through the stalls, street food in hand, becomes a reality very soon. Also published on Medium."

"The best day to visit Brick Lane market is Sunday when the streets fill with stalls selling second-hand goods. Popular with young Londoners on the lookout for a bargain this market has a lively artistic vibe. Whilst browsing you’ll also stumble upon various street performers to entertain you and discover good value places to eat."

"Find both junk and gems at this east London market spread across several streets. At Brick Lane Market, you'll uncover bric-a-brac, second-hand furniture, vintage clothes, shoes and lots more. There are also some fantastic stalls selling exotic spices and colourful saris."

"A bastion of old Soho, 300-year-old Berwick Street Market is a strip dotted with shouty fruit-sellers, florists and fabric merchants in among the 20 or so street food vendors. Snaking lunchtime queues are a daily sight with local workers, tourists and shoppers hankering for goodies from the likes of Afghan Delights, Greek2Go, Paella Fellas, Savage Salads and The Jerk Drum. There’s no seating and not all the food traders are open every day, but Soho’s still swell for wandering."

"Berwick Street Market is a small but much-loved market in Soho. As well as some scrumptious street food, there’s an assortment of other stalls selling items like jewellery and clothing. One of the most loved stalls is Savage Salad, selling dishes that are both healthy and delicious."

"There’s been a market on Berwick St in Soho since the late 1770’s. There are a few good street food stalls, especially the tiny Pit Stop Cafe trailer at the south end of the market serves excellent Chinese and Malaysian food. Try their fried sea bass."

"It’s finally time to move away from the Notting Hill / South Kensintgon area and venture towards East London. It’s a closed market which is actually made up of different streets but the whole area is known as Leadenhall Market. You can access it from different openings which converge in a central square area, the most Instagrammable spot in my opinion!"

"I consider this to be one of the lesser known photo spots in London, but am always surprised when people visit and have no idea what it is. I absolutely love Leadenhall Market and the fact that it’s just a place for everyday City workers to grab their cup of coffee in the morning or drink after work. It’s such a normal place, but it’s so beautiful!"

"Calling all Harry Potter fans, the Leadenhall Market is one photography location in London you don’t want to miss. This gorgeous indoor Victorian market was the setting for Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron in the famous film series. The architecture is fantastic."

"Covent Garden — London’s tightly packed, brightly hit hub of pubs, cobbles, and theatres — is about as far from coastal tranquility as it’s possible to get. That’s before stepping into Parsons, accurately self-described as unassuming — the kind of unassuming that betrays quiet, rigid confidence in the seafood offer. Squid with inky rice, honking potted shrimp croquettes, and a whispering sea trout tartare with brisk Bloody Mary jelly: start here, and continue."

"What: If there was one word to describe Covent Garden’s Parsons, it would be unassuming. It would be easy to miss the small seafood joint, owned by the team behind The 10 Cases over the road, but venture inside and you’ll be treated to some delightful cookery. Setting the scene with green and white fishmonger-style tiles, Parsons has a jolly persona."

"Restaurants Seafood Covent Garden"