Best Nature and Wildlife Areas in South Kensington

"For any list of the best parks in London, it’d be a crime to ignore Hampstead Heath. Closest to the Hampstead Heath overground, or the Hampstead station if you’re going via tube, here you can enjoy your sandwiches on top of Parliament Hill while taking in stunning views of London. It’s even got its very own swimming ponds should the weather be particularly nice."

"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."

"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."

"While Richmond Park is by far the most famous park in the area, Old Deer Park is an open space dedicated to sports facilities and community events. It has play areas, tennis courts, an outdoor gym and sports pitches. You can also access Pools on the Park, a sports, fitness and pool complex."

"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."

"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."

"If you’re after a real crowd-pleasing meal, nothing beats pizza with the family. Pizza Pilgrims is one of the best options with restaurants across London, including a lovely spot just off Carnaby Street. Their authentic stone-baked pizza is some of the best in the city, and the Nutella pizza ring is as indulgent a pudding as you’re likely to find."

"One of London’s best-loved pizza joints, Pizza Pilgrims has two permanent eateries in Soho but it does street-food too. Whether you go for the classic margherita, the pepperoni, or the Neapolitan, it will be delicious."

"In a nutshell: Teaching (and serving) pizzas in Camden Where is it?. 40-42 Parkway, Camden, London NW1 7AH Why should you care?. The next Pizza Pilgrims is something of a departure."

"Overflowing, Jay Gatsby-style with champagne, sushi and sumptuous Italian dishes: Sumosan Twiga‘s Allegria brunch is an excellent excuse to ditch the home office for the streets of Knightsbridge. Like its sister restaurant in Monte Carlo, this energetic Sloane Street outpost offers a menu of exceptional Japanese food and traditional Italian cuisine with decadent, perfectly-balanced dishes like gyoza miso cod and prawn with chilli yuzu ponzu and al dente tagliatelle bolognese served at (Covid guideline-friendly) spaced tables. The real party begins as blinds are lowered and guests are entertained by a carnivalesque procession of dancers in glittering costumes, while DJs take over the decks to spin modern and classic favourites."

"The brunch offering at upmarket, Japanese-Italian party-restaurant Sumosan Twiga is certainly international. Every Saturday, between 1pm and 6pm, the restaurant’s ‘Allegria’ brunch (that’s ‘joy’ in Italian) sees dancers, international bands and DJs provide a backdrop to a £55-per-person, 10-dish tasting menu that includes tagliatelle bolognese and Japanese-style skewered chicken. Between the same time on Sundays, the ‘Marhaba’ brunch (meaning ‘welcome’ in Swahili) serves a similar Italian-Japanese menu but to a backdrop of African-influenced music."

"Cuisine: JapaneseHalal Options: Not Halal, but plenty of Fish optionsAddress: 165 Sloane St, Belgravia, London SW1X 9QBWebsite: http://www.sumosantwigalondon.com/restaurant/Nearest Tube Stop: Knightsbridge"

"Chiswick High Road, London W4 1SY Villa Di Geggiano is a splendid 15th-century palazzo in Chianti with a noble lineage and acres of vineyards producing some of the most delicious red wine in the world. It also has an outpost in west London - a slice of Tuscan decadence and hospitality on the Chiswick High Road, with a front garden full of olive trees where you can drink cocktails (try the passionfruit martini) and eat cured meats from the Bianchi Bandinelli family's favourite salumeria. Inside, the restaurant is grand and bustling, in the best way, with a small but perfectly formed menu of delights - the tagliolini with fresh crab meat is delicious, the pici cacio e pepe is perfect and the Tuscan sausages, flown in from Siena, have become famous among foodies."

"Lots of restaurants promise to transport you to Italy, but Villa di Geggiano makes a more convincing case than most. The jolly white and green exterior ..." Read our full review"

"A post shared by Rita Platts (@ritaplattsphoto) on Oct 5, 2014 at 3:11am PDT. It’s hard to miss the bright pink front of Rasa N16 when walking down Stoke Newington Church Street. Be treated to Kerala’s fragrant spices – think cardamom, ginger, turmeric and black pepper – as the chefs weave together intricate flavours."