Top Rated Parks to Visit in Great Canfield

"Established in 1536 by Henry VIII, Hyde Park is one of London’s largest green spaces, with more than 4,000 trees, vibrant flower gardens and a large meadow which plays host to many public concerts and celebrations. Check out the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, enjoy a bite in the royal park’s lakeside restaurants, or rent a row boat for a leisurely paddle on the Serpentine. Here are nine secrets no one knew about Princess Diana until after her death."

"Hyde Park is the largest of London’s four Royal Parks at 350 acres, which means there is a lot to see and do throughout on your romantic visit. Whether you two like debate and want to take in Speakers’ Corner or wind around the Serpentine lake, there are romantic activities to suit all types throughout Hyde Park. Several hotels also border the park with great views onto it, so consider booking one of them to have a beautiful view every morning."

"Hyde Park is another enormous park to explore, located right in the bustling centre of the city. The Royal Park was founded by Henry VIII in 1536 when he took the land from Westminster Abbey and used it as a hunting ground. It opened to the public in 1637 and has been popular with Londoners ever since."

"If the ladies’, men’s and mixed bathing ponds seem a bit too murky, take your children to the lido, instead. While still brisk, the water here tends to be warmer, and after you tire the children out in the water, roam the heath and find the perfect picnicking spot for the day. The heath has no great playgrounds – though, if you must, there are plenty in neighbouring Hampstead and Highgate – but the glorious park offers endless space for roaming, plenty of wooded areas for discovering natural forts, and space for sport."

"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)."

"While it doesn’t have the biodiversity of Kew, Hampstead Heath is a public park that has something else worth taking in—a view. While the woods and ponds are certainly lovely themselves, what really draws people is Parliament Hill, which offers one of the highest natural views of the city. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic to celebrate the day."

"Not only does it play host to some of the best festivals in the capital but it’s home to the Pavilion Cafe (great for a top notch breakfast), a model boating lake and a new weekly farmer’s market on top of all the green space. It may always be full of joggers and sunbathers but the place is so big you’ll never feel crowded."

"It’s no secret that I love Victoria Park’s brilliant Sunday market. Head to the section of the park just past the Gore Gate to discover a gastronomic delight. Each week, farmers truck in with their stalls brimming with the kind of fresh fruits and veg you couldn’t even dream of finding in the supermarket."

"You can also be a little sporty at the tennis court or the sports playground. Did you know that over nine million people visit Victoria Park every year?. No wonder it is known as the People’s Park in London."

"One of London’s best views can be seen from the top of primrose hill, making the hike up well worth it. Passing through meticulously manicured gardens with beautiful flowers and fountains with a walk uphill to where the view awaits. A great place to watch the fireworks or simply get one of London’s best views, with plenty of green space for a picnic or a rest."

"While Primrose Hill isn’t a playground as such, Regent’s Park (and specifically Primrose Hill) is a wonderful place to just spread out a picnic blanket and look at the London skyline. With a toddler in tow, it’s important to bring some bubbles or other things to keep them occupied, but there is plenty of space for them to run around."

"St Mary at Hill is the old fisherman’s church, as for centuries, the fish trade was carried out at nearby Billingsgate and in the surrounding streets. So it is by Wren (1670-6), except the tower of 1780, on the site of an earlier church dating from the twelfth century. The historian Stow says that Thomas Becket was a parson there."

"Tucked away in Bloomsbury, London's most literary quarter, Russell Square is one of London's best central spaces, an idilic park to enjoy some peace and quiet. Read a book or enjoy the sound of bird song and fountains in this well kept park."

"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."

"When it comes to British meats, the Jugged Hare is ahead of the game. This Barbican pub can pull a pint, but it’ll also pluck you a pheasant too, possessing an ardent passion for game meat. British game season – late summer through to early spring – is the prime time to make a pitstop: at this time of year, the menu features roasted whole red grouse with liver pâté en croute, buttermilk fried partridge, braised venison leg with venison salami, and its namesake dish of 24-hour marinated, juniper-infused hare meat made to an 18th century recipe."

"This stylish City pub is attached to the old Grade II listed Whitbread Brewery, making it the perfect spot for enjoying great drinks and delicious gastro pub food. Watch the chefs cook in the state of the art open kitchen and have a stroll through the walk-in wine room to choose your favourite bottle."

"Sure, it's in the heart of The City, but prepared to be surprised by the level of countryside cuteness going on at The Jugged Hare. Tuck into this taxidermy-filled, cosy spot for an afternoon of classic British dining - with their namesake signature always worth a try."

"Although (much) more on the pricey side, you’ll be spoilt for choice at Melba at the Savoy. If you’re after more of a patisserie (these guys offer oodles of flavours of eclairs), this is the perfect spot to pick up a sweet treat on-the-go. There is limited seating inside, so I’d suggest grabbing a bite and saving it for later in the day (if you can wait, that is!)"

"We come to Kaspar’s for the decadent Champagne and seafood centrepiece bar. Yes, they serve meat and veg here too, but the seafood spectacles, with chefs popping in and out of the kitchen to refresh the platters of oysters, prawns and lobsters, is like a show. It’s the perfect warm up for those heading off to the theatre right afterwards."

"Another of the capital’s most famous 5 star hotels with food fit for the Queen. The only top-rated hotel on the River Thames and once enjoyed by the blue-eyed wonder, Frank Sinatra. The Savoy StrandLondon WC2R 0EZVisit website: The Savoy"

"Londoners cannot get enough pasta these days and Pastaio is a favourite, reliable and fun haunt to get a fix. The terrazzo marble communal seating, bright tiles and eye-catching murals in the two sites show that as much care has gone into the stylish decoration as the ingredients. The chefs hand roll and cut fresh pasta in the window pre-service, serving it with seasonal toppings; the slow-cooked sausage sauce is a year-round winner and you’ll simply never go wrong with a classic of carbonara, zhuzhed up with bucatini instead of spaghetti and pancetta’s flavourful cousin guanciale."

"Steve Parle is quietly and confidently making quite the name for himself as one of London’s most talented and creative chef-restaurateurs. Having worked at the River Café and Petersham Nurseries, he is a pop-up pioneer (with the Moveable Kitchen), a writer (he is the author of three cookbooks and a former newspaper columnist), a TV presenter (with a series on Channel 4) and the head of a burgeoning restaurant group (Dock Kitchen, Rotorino, Craft, Sardine and Palatino). His latest venture in Soho is a bright and buzzy pasta place that is heavy on flavour but light on the wallet."

"Ecco’la Café and Pizzeria will become your foodie hotspot when you live in Wembley. The relaxed atmosphere of the café makes it a popular meeting place any time of the day. And it serves some of the best food in Wembley too."

"London’s Spaghetti House is one of the capital’s premier restaurant chains. With 11 different locations, mostly in Central London, this kid-friendly group offers stonebaked pizzas, light bites and, of course, spaghetti dishes. Enjoy all of this plus more whilst not breaking the bank."

"The V&A's Theatre Collections hold the UK's national collection of material about live performance in the UK since Shakespeare's day, covering drama, dance, musical theatre, circus, music hall, rock and pop, and other forms of live entertainment. Theatre and Performance galleries dedicated to the performing arts, display works of art, costumes, ephemera, video recordings, puppets, posters and photographs."

"The blood and viscera has long since been scoured away, making this museum a fascinating place to visit. Pioneering medical techniques were trialled here back in the day, and today, it holds the crown as the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe. Tickets for adults are £7.50."

"Alternatives (or additional spots) in the area to the above attractions: Southwark Cathedral, Borough Market (one of London’s most famous food markets), The Old Operating Theatre Museum (fee*), The Monument (fee*), and The View from the Shard (fee*)."

"Originally home to one of London’s largest fruit and vegetable markets, Covent Garden now broadly refers to the West London district famous for its high-end shopping, theatres, entertainment complexes, and the Royal Opera House of London."