Top Rated Parks to Visit in Dale Park

"Hyde Park is central London's largest green space, expropriated from the church in 1536 by Henry VIII and turned into a hunting ground and later a venue for duels, executions and horse racing. The 1851 Great Exhibition was held here, and during WWII the park became an enormous potato field. These days, it's a place to stroll and picnic, boat on the Serpentine lake, or to catch a summer concert or outdoor film during the warmer months."

"The 350-acre space is located right in the heart of London, making it easy to access and easy to find if you’re learning your way around London. During the summer months, this park is filled with happy picnic goers, and is certainly big enough to make sure social distancing procedures are followed, too."

"Once a royal hunting ground, Hyde Park is popular for its vast open space and numerous attractions and one of our favourite London sights to Instagram. Best shot: Hyde Park is so vast that it’s best to pick a focal point such as the Victoria and Albert Memorial, or the Italian Gardens."

"Richmond Park is the largest of London's eight Royal Parks and is an extraordinary space where the grass seems greener, the flowers seem to smell better and the sun seems warmer. The park has a magic that's not tangible – make sure to visit the Isabella plantation to see what we mean. It is a National Nature Reserve, London's largest Site of Special Scientific Interest and an European Special Area of Conservation."

"If you fancy a trip outside of central London, then Richmond Park is a must-visit. The largest of the city’s eight royal parks, the 2500-acre site not only boasts its own golf course and 40-acre woodland garden but is home to several herds of deer, which roam freely."

"If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and have some downtime, head to Richmond Park with your picnic blanket and make yourselves at home for the day. Walking through this park, you’ll feel as though you’ve escaped to the country."

"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)."

"One of the city’s wildest green spaces, Hampstead Heath spans a huge proportion of north London. Stroll across the grass and clamber through the gnarled trees or take in the view of London from atop Parliament Hill. If you fancy a dip, the lido is on one side of the hill and the bathing ponds on the other."

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"Take a break from the hustle and bustle of London and retreat to the beautiful and relaxing Kew Gardens. This green oasis in southwest London is believed to be the largest and most diverse botanical garden on earth. You can book single visits online, or if you’re a local, you might like to consider becoming a member for free entry year-round."

"Whether you’re a fan of gardens or not, Kew Gardens is one of the most beautiful places in London. The Hive is a unique new structure exploring the story of the honey bee, and children will love the Treetop Walkway. Best shot: the Waterlily House or the spiral staircase make for superb captures."

"Thanks to this park’s central location, you can enjoy fab views of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the London Eye and Horse Guards Parade from The Blue Bridge. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, including the park’s famous pelicans. COVID-19 UPDATE: St James’s Park is currently open, but people must respect social distancing rules."

"One of the Royal London Parks, St James’s Park is one of the most visited each year mostly because of the many royal events that take place, like the annual Trooping of the Colour."

"I’ve always felt torn between the two, and I’ve been incredibly grateful for London’s parks lately. It’s so nice to get a nature fix even while being confined to the city."

"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."

"Finally, one of the best playgrounds in London is the Children’s Garden that opened at Kew Gardens in 2019. It is a fantastic space based in a natural setting the size of 40 tennis courts, with highlights that include a sandy area with play houses and small slides for little ones, tall “worm-hole” tubes to slide down, an area with trampolines and wooden climbing frames. The kids love the water play area, which features log troughs, water tables and several pumps, plus there’s a splash pool in a shady spot which is perfect for little ones."

"You can BBQ in Highbury Fields so it’s always a popular spot with North Londoners come summertime but the park also has plenty to offer all year round. It’s got plenty of sports facilities and a playground for the kiddies, and is a great place to escape to when Upper Street gets a bit too much."

"It also means smashing it on your socials, because EL&N (which confusingly rebranded from Élan Café) is arguably the most Instagrammable place in town, perhaps due to its insatiable flower and love heart walls. EL&N started out on Park Lane and quickly became the influencers’ hangout of choice thanks to more pink than you’ll find in Elton John’s walk-in wardrobe."

"A Middle Eastern version of tres leches cake with saffron-spiced sponge, whipped cream and lots of sweet vanilla milk – this is soft, melt-in-your-mouth moist, so refreshing and just mind-blowingly good. EL&N isn’t just a pink, picture-perfect spot for the ‘gram."

"Mayfair hotel The Biltmore Mayfair welcomes a new restaurant this summer, spearheaded by superchef and restaurateur Jason Atherton – who runs another of the hotel’s eateries, The Betterment. The Café Biltmore Restaurant & Terrace will be a more relaxed affair, focusing on comfort classics like buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches and wood-fired pizzas, alongside fish dishes including steamed mussels and Dorset crab on toast. On summer evenings the newly expanded 70-seat terrace is the place to be, a tropical-inspired space surrounded by foliage covered walls."

"The Biltmore Hotel in leafy Grosvenor Square is a delightful place to escape the bustle of nearby Oxford Street, with plenty of space to spread out, including two restaurants run by Jason Atherton, The Betterment, and Cafe Biltmore. The latter sprawls out onto a generous terrace at the back of the hotel, part undercover, and part open to the sky. The menu is simple but satisfying: elegantly done gastropub classics with a hefty wine list to go with them."

"Serene leafy terraces in bustling Mayfair are hard to come by, so thank heavens for Cafe Biltmore from chef Jason Atherton. Expect a casual offering (for this postcode at least) full of globally inspired dishes."

"With a sibling Shanghai restaurant which holds two Michelin stars, it’s safe to say Imperial Treasure comes from solid stock. Deftly handled classics include delicate dim sum and mains like a juicy lemon chicken or some of the best fried rice we’ve had in a long time. As you might expect, this isn’t the cheapest Chinese takeaway in London with a set menu from two starting at £90, but for a special occasion we think it’s well worth the splurge."

"Imperial Treasure is, hands down, the grandest Chinese restaurant in London. Its sister restaurants in Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai have Michelin stars and one imagines the first London outpost has similarly lofty ambitions. Just off Pall Mall, it's covered in marble up to its high, original ceilings, with cool, contemporary wooden fittings giving an intimate feel to the enormous, opulent space."

"You don’t need to be taken out to the ball game to enjoy a half-time hot dog. At Bubbledogs, you can enjoy the finger-food thrills of the fast food snack in a considerably more upmarket setting, with dozens of types of Champagne available to quaff while you scoff at this Fitzrovia bar. The hot dog menu boasts eight different options, ranging from the New Yorker with beef fat-caramelised onions and creme fraiche, to the French Connection with shaved foie gras and sherry vinegar jelly."

"Conveniently located behind the Bubbledogs, the Kitchen Table prepares a new menu every single day. The tasting menu will cost you £125 and dishes change according to the seasons. With seats for only 19, you are in for a fine dining experience for sure."

"Hot dogs are an all-American classic and a junk food favourite. Bubbledogs fuse champagne and sausages to form a sizeable menu. The meat in each dog can be customised — be it pork, beef or a veggie substitute — and there are 11 types to choose from."

"This Asian late night restaurant and bar boasts panoramic views of one of London’s famous landmarks – St Paul’s Cathedral. Find theatrical drinks and cocktails late into the night alongside a delicious menu of tantalising, Asian-inspired dishes. On arrival, diners are met with a fluorescent pink onyx floor and a pink-hued pagoda."

"20 New Change Passage, London, EC4M 9AG Why should you care?. The latest Ivy has opened in the impressive space that once held Jamie Oliver's Barbecoa. This time they've launched an Ivy with an Asian-influenced menu."

"Located in Brixton and Shoreditch, Halo Burger has made a name for itself using Beyond Burger patties to create a vast range of irresistible vegan burgers. On the menu, you can find the epic Halo Burger with 2 Beyond patties, 2 slices of cheese, caramelised onion, lettuce, tomato, gherkins and signature sauce. Other notable mentions include the Smoky Carolina BBQ Burger, and The Flameburger which is definitely not for the faint-hearted!"

"Popular plant-based burger bar Halo Burger (currently in Pop Brixton) have opened their second restaurant in Shoreditch and they're the first in the country to be launching with Beyond Meat's 4.0 patty."