Top Rated Parks to Visit in Cranham

"Hyde Park is the largest park in central London and another of the capitals important Royal Parks. There are plenty of free things to do in Hyde Park, including taking a stroll through the colourful Rose Garden, visiting the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain (or one of the parks many other statues and memorials), stepping inside the free Serpentine Art Gallery, listening to the speakers at Speakers Corner or sitting beside the large Serpentine Lake to watch the swans and pedalos for a while."

"After visiting Kensnigton Palace, if the weather is nice, I’d spend some time exploring Kensington Gardens and adjacent Hyde Park. Within this large green space, you’ll find a number of gardens, sporting area, statues, biking trails, and boat rentals (seasonal)."

"The largest of London’s Royal Parks and one of the most important places in the country for wildlife conservation, spawling Richmond Park covers an area of 2,500 acres on the edge of the capital and is one of the best places to escape the noise of the city and spend a day out in London for free. You can take a long walk through the lush woodlands and around the numerous ponds, cycle along the off-road Tamsin Trail, spot the park’s famous deer and abundance of other wildlife, and climb to the top of King Henry’s Mound for views back over central London."

"The highest point in Richmond Park affords uninterrupted views of the London skyline. This is the largest of the Royal Parks where you will be able to observe wild deer running freely. Be sure to visit the Isabella Plantation, an ornamental woodland garden full of exotic plants."

"Always sad to see some of the big stag go but it’s how the park is managed and has lasted so long."

"It’s hard to believe that tucked away amongst the built up surroundings of Hampstead, just 6 kilometres from Trafalgar Square, lies 800 acres of fields and woods. Hampstead Heath transports you to the countryside, with its mosaic of habitats providing a resource for the copious amounts of wildlife. Featuring a number of priority species identified in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, the Heath is known as one of London’s best places for wildlife."

"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."

"I may be biased because I live very near here but I believe beautiful Kew is the best area to stay in London and Kew Gardens is one of the best attractions here. Kew Gardens are 121 hectares of beautiful gardens and botanical glasshouses located between Richmond and Kew (in southwest London). The gardens are on a mission not only to be beautiful (which they are) but to contribute to research and nurturing of the plant kingdom."

"According to Wikipedia, “Kew Gardens is the world’s largest collection of living plants”. From the exotic glasshouse gardens filled with succulents and tropical blooms to a stroll down to the Chinese Pagoda, there’s much to see and photograph. A great perk, if you’re a member, you can get to visit Kew before any of the tourists, which means you could almost have the place for yourself, to enjoy as you please."

"This Royal Park is definitely a contender for London’s prettiest green space. The wildlife seem to think so too as they’re to be found in abundance, from swans to pelicans and squirrels. Best shot: from The Blue Bridge towards Buckingham Palace or Horse Guards Parade, depending on the light at the time of your visit."

"Walking around Green Park and St Jame’s Park in the morning is a wonderful experience. It’s so calm and peaceful and when you have the beautiful light such as below it is just perfect. Considering staying at the awesome Sheraton Grand London Park Lane where you’ll find these amazing parks on your doorstep."

"Alexandra Park is an award-winning park in north London, and is best known as the home of Alexandra Palace. The winding paths and views over the city mean this place is guaranteed to be beautiful, whatever the weather—particularly if you’re lucky enough to catch the sun rising or setting. COVID-19 UPDATE: Alexandra Palace is currently closed, but the park remains open to the public, with limited support services."

"This is a wonderful hillside public park set in the grounds of the spectacular and historic Alexandra Palace. Located near Muswell Hill in North London, the 80–hectare park dates from 1863 and has a Green Heritage status and a Green Flag Award. The wonderful London park offers locals a place to relax and escape from city life."

"Alexandra Park can be found on London's Musgrove Hill, a short distance from Wood Green Underground Station. The sloping park has its own nature reserve. Parkland Walk is picturesque walk along a disused railway."

"The Southbank is an entertainment centre on the south of the river where the London Eye, London Dungeons and London Aquarium are located. There are loads of street performers such as magicians and singers, as well as restaurants and cafes with fab views across the river. Just behind the Southbank is the Jubilee Gardens where toddlers can let off a bit of steam."

"We've praised The Bluebird for its versatile approach to dining and Chelsea-style leisure. It's a compound comprised of a swanky restaurant, a more casual cafe, outdoor space, and, of course, the boutique to end all boutiques. The ground floor shop is "an ever-evolving space; part concept store and part cabinet of curiosity, where you can discover high-end designers alongside niche labels and emerging fashion talent, interspersed with objets, ephemera, collectibles and cult beauty brands." They stock everyone from Balenciaga to Levi's, and their homewares are to die for – go for a Fornasetti candle, try on something you couldn't possibly afford, and get your brows done by Blink."

"This King’s Road landmark has been a place to be seen since opening back in 1997 – even more so with its swish new look. Formerly a garage, Bluebird underwent a major refurbishment a couple of years ago courtesy of Sagrada, the designers behind The Arts Club, which split up the large space into neat sections. Both the street-level bar and first-floor restaurant feature plush interiors – think exposed steel red beams, indoor trees and deep Chesterfield booths – while the al fresco courtyard remains an idyllic summer spot."

"A chic, all-day drinking and dining destination in West London, with a beautiful terrace, bar and restaurant serving everything from breakfast to late night cocktails."

"Sunday roasts are just one of this lovely neighbourhood bars’ strings to its culinary bow. Offering all day dining from breakfast chia pots through to evening steaks, No. 1a Duke Street is one of our favourite all-day Sunday hangouts, serving up both fantastic roast dinners and arguably the best brunch in Richmond. Everything is cooked from scratch in line with the bar’s coveted 3* award from the Sustainable Restaurant Association and it shows in the flavour."

"If you're searching for beautiful places to eat outside in London, look no further than No 1 Duke Street. The Richmond restaurant is dishing up sustainably-sourced scran and house cocktails on their gorgeous courtyard."

"The name means ‘daily bread’ – a phrase that conjures up eating together around communal tables. It’s a theme that sits at the heart of Alain Coumont’s bakery chain, an outfit also known for its organic breakfasts, tartines, quinoa scones and vegan apple pie. Flagship site: 72-75 Marylebone High Street, W1U 5JW"

"We know what you are thinking but don’t worry, Kanye hasn’t got his little paws into the hotel and spa industry just yet. This Shepherds Bush-based hotel recently underwent a makeover of its own; now a glossy, glass-clad hipster-ish paradise with staff donning the latest in toned-down designer apparel, a restaurant that offers a ‘glam rock’ afternoon tea. Oh and did we mention an in-house DJ that rocks out the beats in the hotel lobby until 2AM on Friday and Saturday?"

"Book in for some freeze-thaw action at the K Spa at K West Hotel, an oasis of calm in a stylishly modernised former BBC office block in Shepherd's Bush. The basement spa is the first in London to feature a 'Snow Paradise' - the place to come when you want to cool off in minus 15 degrees powder snow."

"A luxury London retreat where friends and couples delight in the stylish, contemporary bliss of the spa before flirting with inventive cocktails and creative afternoon teas."

"‘Ting’ is derived from the Chinese word for living room, but there can’t be many front rooms that boast the views enjoyed by guests to this restaurant on the 35th-storey of the Shangri-La at the Shard hotel. But whilst the views and the light, chrome-bright, modernist atmosphere are very undomestic, the welcome is genuinely warm: the waiting staff have a skip in their step and an effusively charmant manner. As for the contemporary British menu devised by Jeremy Brown, it is based on simple, seasonal dishes and is ooh-inspiringly pretty and satisfyingly tasty, with intriguing (and successful) wine pairings suggested for each dish."

"Ting Restaurant is part of the Shangri-La Hotel in The Shard and offers perhaps the most Instagrammable afternoon tea in London. Set on the 35th floor of The Shard it provides phenomenal views over London which are Insta-worthy enough by themselves. However, then add to it the cutest afternoon tea set up and you’ve got everything you need for that perfect, quintessentially London photo!"

"What: Locals flock to this friendly neighbourhood Indian restaurant throughout the week, but particularly on Sundays thanks to its family-friendly buffet, which offers both excellent food and great value in comfortable surrounds. Each week the chefs at Babur choose a well-balanced mix of Indian favourites, such as tandoori chicken, Keralian slow cooked mutton stew, and pumpkin curry, which guests can help themselves to as often as they like, along with rice and naan bread. It’s a perfect end to the week for any curry enthusiast and almost guarantees you a good afternoon nap."