Best Nature and Wildlife Areas in West Harrow

"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)."

"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."

"One of the more natural and untamed parks in London, Hamstead Heath is 320 hectares of parklands with stunning views over London from the top of Parliament Hill."

"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."

"Rosa's Thai Cafe serves its range of traditional dishes to London's hungry crowds. Having been created by a husband and wife that were inspired by their travels across Asia, the restaurant will take a handful of traditional recipes and subtly infuse them with modern flavours. With dishes like butternut red curry, vegetable spring rolls and plenty of tofu-based dishes, this restaurant is also perfect for vegetarians."

"Offering authentic Thai food with a smile, this family friendly restaurant is found across London. Head into one of Rosa's Thai Cafe for big eats which cater for all diets, without breaking the bank."

"Japanese , Sushi"

"London’s best sushi restaurants are either impossible to get into or prohibitively expensive. It’s therefore with great relief and thrill that the marvellously mercurial Yuya Kikuchi is back in town. Jugemu is a little more traditional but no less chaotic than his short-lived Kirazu, and the question is: Is there a better value omakase in town?"

"This family run gelateria and all-round wholesome cafe/restaurant/bed & breakfast in Chiswick has been serving its ice-cream since 1978. You can get delicious sorbets, ice-creams and some top quality banter from owners Maria and Luciano. Walk-ins are welcome, but you can also order for collection, or delivery to certain postcodes in West London."

"As one of the “OGs” in the matcha scene in London, Tsujiri is most certainly a reliable pick for matcha. They are a matcha dessert tea house so they definitely take their matcha very seriously!. My favourite include the likes of Matcha Soft Serve Ice Cream and Matcha Basque Cheesecake, both lusciously velvety and simply sensational."

"TSUJIRI is a dessert tea house that specialises in everything matcha. Yep, if you’re not a fan of that finely ground fluorescent green tea powder then you’re probably not going to be a huge fan of TSUJIRI. If you’re mad for the stuff, though, you’re in luck."

"Chinatown’s Tsujiri has been mainly about the oh-so-instagrammable matcha soft serves. But they do tubs of their matcha, sesame and black sesame ice cream to have at home too. Delivery: Same day delivery through Slerp"