Top Rated Parks to Visit in Grays

"Covering 350 acres, Hyde Park is London's largest open space and has been a destination for sightseers since 1635. One of the park's highlights is the Serpentine, an 18th-century man-made lake popular for boating and swimming. Hyde Park is also where you'll find Speakers' Corner, a traditional forum for free speech — and heckling."

"The great expanse of Hyde Park boasts a range of recreational activities, from swimming and boating on the Serpentine to browsing the Serpentine Galleries and visiting landmarks such as the Speaker’s Corner, Diana Princess of Wales Memorial and The Joy of Life fountains."

"Want to feel like you're in the countryside without leaving London?. Head to Richmond Park, a 2500 acre national nature reserve that's teeming with rare species of fungi, birds, beetles, bats, grasses, wildflowers and more. Just remember to watch out for the deer — especially if it's rutting season."

"Views of London from Richmond Park © Jon Reid visitlondon.com. Image courtesy of Jon Reid visitlondon.com. London looks great from a distance."

"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."

"Part of what makes Hampstead Heath so special is its wild beauty — check it out in all its rugged glory here. The other part is the stunning views of the capital it boasts, which makes the heath perfect for picnics, as does its proximity to some stellar delis and bakeries. It's also a cracking choice for a weekend ramble — thesetwo take in much of the Heath."

"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."

"Alternatively, if you are not interested in visiting Camden, you could try visiting two of the recommended morning attractions (e.g., Windsor Castle and Kew Gardens). You’ll need to use public transit to reach the morning attractions and to get to Camden but the attractions in Camden are all within walking distance."

"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."

"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."

"St James’s Park is the park you’ll walk through between Horse Guards’ Parade and Buckingham Palace. It has a lake, plenty of ducks and swans and a really nice kids’ playground just steps from Buckingham Palace. This would be a good place to take a kid friendly breather before or after the changing of the guard."

"A lovely park featuring some great design that is particularly very well maintained, the Barham Park is one of the best things to do in Wembley especially in the evenings. There is a lot of space for visitors to enjoy relaxing strolls and even play sport like football and cricket. Local fitness enthusiasts especially visit the park owing to the ...Read more"

"Sandwiched between Columbia Road Flower Market and Broadway Market, there’s lots going on at Haggerston Park thanks to the tennis courts football grounds and Hackney City Farm. It’s far less crowded than nearby London Fields so if you need a bit more calm, then head here."

"It lifts the soul to see what a passionate community can achieve when it works (damn hard) as one. The jam-packed ‘Pleasure Garden’, created from an old bombsite, is a masterclass in use of space. But the true pleasure here is how the horticultural enthusiasm erupts from its tiny confines to virtually every free surface of the square."

"More of a yard than a proper park, Postman’s Park is still one of the largest green spaces in the City of London yet it remains a hidden gem. It’s also full of plaques dedicated to everyday heroes – these stories of self-sacrifice were collected by artist George Frederic Watts and turned into a memorial in 1900 – making it a very peaceful spot."

"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."

"No mere park, this was originally brought to life as a Victorian Pleasure Ground. Among its attractions are lakes, a maze, their famous world-first dinosaur models (which, despite exaggerated rumours of their demise, are still in place) and the Italian terraces, which survived the fire that destroyed the Crystal Palace. There's also the 'rusty laptop' concert stage, on the site Bob Marley once played, but it's sadly underused, and perhaps more interesting as an oddity of architecture."

"If you’re planning to be the ultimate “London tourist”, then this my friend is going to get you excited. Look out of your window and you’ll be greeted with Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and a whole lot more."

"Kings College London only recently opened this permanent site for the Science Gallery, a dedicated space for showing contemporary artwork that explores scientific questions. Its inaugural exhibition is all about addiction, called Hooked, and previous shows in its travelling days have investigated blood, food and orifices. Think of it as looking at science through the eyes of an artist."

"Science Gallery London is an art-science-and-health inspired gallery in London. The free museum has been open since 2018 in London Bridge after a series of pop-up exhibits across London. The gallery aims to bring together scientists, artists, and communities with three themed seasons every year."

": Row upon row of glass jars, with everything from tiny organisms, to strange two-headed beasts, to examples of gross diseases, this museum can be very creepy at times, especially when it’s quiet. However, it’s so much more than the freakshow that it is sometimes made out to be, offering a unique insight into the history of surgery and advances in modern medicine. The next few months are your last chance to see the museum before it closes in 2017 for refurbishment, so get going!"

"Starting just east of Chalkwell Station, this beach is the choice of people who value peace for winter walks or sunbathing hot summer days. Chalkwell Beach is removed from Southend’s bustling arcades and entertainment, and has a vast belt of pebbles and sand tracked by a quiet, residential esplanade. And even if Chalkwell Beach has a more restrained atmosphere, there are shops selling beach paraphernalia and amenities like cafes just behind."

"Out of the way of the hustle and bustle of Southend’s central seaside, Chalkwell beach offers a quieter beach area for relaxation."