Best Nature and Wildlife Areas in Hanworth

"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."

"Escape to the country without leaving the city with a trip to Hampstead Heath, just a few kilometres from Central London. This wild and undulating expanse of green space spans nearly 800 acres, with woodland, playing fields, swimming ponds and meadows. Hike up Parliament Hill for unbeatable views or take a dip in the Hampstead ponds on a hot summer’s day."

"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."

"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."

"From humble beginnings of brewing on an industrial estate to serving up award-winning beers from their two taprooms in Walthamstow (not to mention plenty of other places across the city too) Wild Card was a hobby that got way out of hand, but we’re so glad that it did. Their wide range of beers include a 5.8% Cashmere IPA that’s double dry hopped, a Lime Berliner Weisse that’s got a hefty squeeze of citrus, and a pale ale that makes for easy drinking. They’ve also got low-and-no options but we only want the hard stuff."

"Festok is one of the few producers of proper Lebanese ice cream in London. Their high-end artisan products are served at luxe spots and restaurants like A.Wong, Harrods, and Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge. Delivery is also available across the capital if you want to serve some for dessert at your next dinner party."

"For a more authentic, award-winning London Chinese restaurant, there's the Chinese Cricket Club. Named after the Chinese national cricket team who played their first match in 2009 and hosted in a Grade II-listed building, the venue serves Sichuan cuisine that focuses on spicy dishes and Cantonese Dim Sum. The interiors match the quality of the food, with bold greens standing against strong wooden furnishings."

"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."