Top Rated Parks to Visit in Finchley

"It would be wrong to omit Hyde Park from a list of London’s most beautiful and prominent green spaces. The Grade I listed 350-acre royal park is the biggest in London, renowned as the city’s ‘green lung’, and hosts an array of major annual events, from Winter Wonderland to music festivals such as British Summer Time Hyde Park. Visit the memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales, picnic in the prepossessing Rose Garden (post lockdown), or go swimming in the Serpentine Lido, which opens from June to early September."

"Arguably the most traditional romantic place in London, Hyde Park offers a number of simple romantic activities. I would personally recommend horse riding around the park. It’s active, fun and a fantastic way to explore the beauty and splendor of Hyde Park."

"Hyde Park is centrally located and loved by many residents as well as international students. This gorgeous park is spread across 350 acres of land. It has more than 4,000 trees, a lake, a meadow, a rose garden and several ducks enhancing the beauty."

"A little further afield but worth the trip is Richmond Park. London’s largest park is home to deer and various other wildlife, woodlands, hills, trails for riding and walking and large open fields."

"This is, without a doubt, the BEST place to take wildlife photos in London. So, if that’s your jam, this is your place!. The deer are the main attraction, but there are plenty of other animals."

"Sprawling Hampstead Heath, with its rolling woodlands and meadows, feels a million miles away – despite being approximately four – from the City of London. Covering 320 hectares, most of it woods, hills and meadows, it's home to about 180 bird species, 23 species of butterflies, grass snakes, bats and a rich array of flora. It's a wonderful place for a ramble, especially to the top of Parliament Hill, which offers expansive views across the city."

"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."

"There’s a reason why you’ll often hear Londoners waxing lyrical about Hampstead Heath. Besides the great views from Parliament Hill and the famous swimming ponds, the wild park is home to a variety of woodland and meadows, so there’s plenty to explore."

"Amazing Kew Gardens in the southwest neighbourhood of Kew is one of London’s most picturesque parks; 132 hectares of gardens and botanical glasshouses that that house the world’s most diverse collection of living plants. Kew Gardens was founded in 1840 and is today London’s largest UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with beautiful glasshouses, including the iconic Palm House and its exotic rainforest. There’s a magical children’s garden, the fantastic Treetop Walkway that soars into the tree canopy at a height of 18 metres, and Kew Palace, the former summer residence of King George III."

"In 1759 botanists began rummaging around the world for specimens to plant in the 3-hectare Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. They never stopped collecting, and the gardens, which have bloomed to 121 hectares, provide the most comprehensive botanical collection on earth (including the world's largest collection of orchids). A Unesco World Heritage Site, the gardens can easily devour a day's exploration; for those pressed for time, the Kew Explorer hop-on/hop-off road train takes in the main sights."

"Visiting the Kew Garden is always a very good surprise, I have been in 2 times in the royal gardens at different times of the year. On my first visit, it was with a couple of dear friends that helped me a bum here in the land of the Queen when I arrived. We went in August 2014, so the trees were heavy with leaves, all very green and a very pleasant temperature."

"Smaller than the other green open spaces in the heart of London, St. James’s Park is surrounded by other important tourist spots:. Originally purchased by Henry III, the park was completely transformed by James I, who wanted it full of exotic animals and birds. Since then, the aspect of St. James’s Park suffered further modifications, but it continues to be a significant part of London’s identity."

"No trip to London is complete without a trip to St James’s Park. Another of London’s eight Royal Parks it covers an area of nearly 57 acres and offers spectacular views of Buckingham Palace, Whitehall and Clarence House. Start at the Blue Bridge for an unprecedented look across the lake at Big Ben, the London Eye and the famous Horse Guard Parade."

"The pelicans were first introduced to Green Park in 1664 as a gift from the Russian Ambassador, and today there are over 40 pelicans living there. Toddlers will love seeing the most famous pelicans, Louis, Vaclav and Gargi sunbathing on their favourite rocks – don’t miss the pelican feeding between 2.30pm and 3.30pm daily."

"Located southeast of the city center, Crystal Palace Park was named for the impressive iron and glass structure that was built just three years earlier in Hyde Park and then moved to the top of Sydenham Hill in 1854 for the new park's opening. Although the original structure burned in 1936, the Crystal Palace Museum was built by the same company as the palace, and today it contains photos, scaled replicas, and artifacts from the grand edifice that visitors can enjoy while at the park. The original Italian Terraces and Sphinx-guarded staircases that once surrounded the palace still stand, giving visitors perspective on the actual size and presence of the former building."

"Cycle from Clapham to Crystal Palace- nothing like being a tourist in your own city💓💓 • • • #crystalpalace #dinosaur #dinosaurs #london #england #lockdown #staycation #bikerides #tourists #cycles #southlondon #selondon #cycle #home #park #crystalpalacepark #hills #family #familytravel #familiestravel2_ #londoncycling #journeynotdestination #familybikeride #travel. A post shared by Family Travel (@familiestravel2_) on May 24, 2020 at 2:35pm PDT. Channel your inner T-Rex in the dinosaur park, get lost in one of the UK's largest mazes, or simply explore the many ponds, playgrounds and green spaces Crystal Palace Park has to offer its visitors."

"This is a large park located in South London which has some great quirky and distinctive features. It’s located in South London in the suburb of Crystal Palace and the park surrounds the site’s former glass exhibition centre which stood between 1854 and 1935. It has the feel of a Victorian pleasure ground today and even includes models of full-size dinosaurs which were built by the Victorians."

"The residence of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, this is one of England's most lavish stately homes. Set in a 55-acre park landscaped…"

"Cuisine: SteakhouseHalal Options: Separate Halal menu with various Halal meatsAddress: Ariel Way, White City, London W12 7GAWebsite: https://www.themeatco.com/westfield-londonNearest Tube Stop: Shepherds Bush"

"191 Portobello Rd, London W11 2ED, United Kingdom www.electricdiner.comBare brick walls and booths give the Electric Diner a real authentic feel in their Portobello Road premises. They serve a mean Diner Hot Dog, along with their Philly Pork and Swiss Cheese Burger, so tick all the boxes on the foot front. Of course Brooklyn Beer is their mainstay on the drink front."

"A palatable playground of French-American foods, Electric Diner comes to you from the infamous Soho House group. Taking residency on the iconic Portobello Road in Notting Hill, Electric Diner is one of our more relaxed restaurants for a spot of celeb-heavy dining that's less pretentious and more 'fancy seeing you here' kinda vibes."

"This place dishes up all the usual American fare in classic booth seating. Pop-in to satisfy your cravings day or night, as they serve until midnight (or until 1am on Friday and Saturday) and offer an extensive American breakfast menu from 8am."

"The on-trend seasonal menu at this trendy Aussie restaurant in Richmond is peppered with international influences, so diners can expect everything from soft boiled eggs with Vegemite soldiers and avo on toast at breakfast time to crispy wood-fired pizzas, burgers and salads come evening. Antipodea is a chain, but each location has its own winning features; Richmond’s is a cosy wood-burning fireplace that’s perfect for winter warming."

"Sibling of the ace Antipodea restaurant in Kew, this Richmond hangout promises breakfast, brunch and dinner with an Aussie twist. A roaring enclosed fire, potted plants and curios from down under tick all the brand trademarks, while the kitchen delivers some good stuff – don’t miss the steaks or the moist, chunky barramundi (Oz’s answer to sea bass). Tip: any leftover home-baked bread is given away gratis at the end of the evening."

"For something savoury then head to Aussie hotspot Antipodea in Richmond or Kew for its ‘Brew Brunch Bowl’ filled with quinoa, peas, beans, broccoli, feta, pomegranate and a zesty mint dressing."

"Restaurants Contemporary European Mortlake and Sheen. The Victoria’s Richmond Park location alone makes it well worth a visit. However, with TV chef Paul Merrett overseeing the show, plus a leafy walled garden complete with supersized heated parasols and an open-air bar, as well as a conservatory for in-between days, you’ll see why this smart gastropub is almost permanently packed to the rafters."

"Nestled in the heart of London, Scandal nightclub fulfils all you guilty pressures and give you an experience you won’t forget any time soon. It is more like a refined and cultured Red Light District. Much like Amsterdam but with the sophistication of London’s Mayfair, with a very distinguished clientele."