Top Rated Parks to Visit in Horns Cross

"One of London's largest Royal Parks, Hyde Park is home to the vast Serpentine Lake (which you can swim in), the majestic Wellington Arch and even a hidden pet cemetery. With 350 acres to explore, you're spoilt for choice when it comes to picnic spots, and there are three cafes (including a stingray-shaped one) where you can replenish your supplies. Other points of interest include the Diana Memorial Fountain, the Hyde Park Rose Garden, and the Achilles statue, which actor Laurence Olivier once called "the best arse in London"."

"Arguably the most famous and most loved park in London, the wonderful green space occupies a space of 350 acres in central London (the nearest tube stations are Marble Arch and Hyde Park Corner). It’s also fiercely protected with a Grade I-listed status and also a long history of playing host to rallies and marches as well as the world-famous Speakers’ Corner. It’s also home to over 4,000 trees, a large lake, a meadow, and very pretty flower gardens."

"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."

"Firstly, to get there (Richmond is in zone four, at the end of the District line), and secondly, to ensure you don’t get lost in the sprawling 800 acres of green. The famous wildlife – especially the herds of deer – will make your pilgrimage, and the possibility of being declared missing, worth it. Pembroke Lodge sits at the top of Richmond Park (and even has free parking), where you will can enjoy a traditional English tea in elegant Georgian dining rooms."

"Richmond Park, at almost 1000 hectares (2500 acres), is the largest Royal Park in London and is home to around 650 free roaming deer. The pastoral landscape of hills, woodlands, ponds, gardens and grasslands set amongst ancient trees offers a peaceful respite to visitors. The Park is designated as a National Nature Reserve (NNR), a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC)."

"Free-roaming red and fallow deer have been nibbling this rare grassland habitat into existence since at least 1637, when Charles I enclosed it. It’s London’s largest nature reserve, topped off with a protected view that cuts a line between ancient oaks to St Paul’s Cathedral, 10 miles distant. Away from the roads and cycle tracks (it’s great for a spin), few places in London feel so open and wild."

"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."

"This enormous, ancient parkland is one of the best places to escape the city while at the same time catching an amazing view of it: the vista from Parliament Hill, which forms the southeast part of Hampstead Heath, is so impressive it’s actually protected by law. Elsewhere in the park you’ll find a zoo, three swimming ponds (nominal charge, which is often ignored) and plenty of quiet spots for a back-to-nature-in-the-heart-of-London picnic."

"Get back to nature in Hampstead Heath: an ancient woodland and wild green space in the north of London. Climb Parliament Hill, which offers a breathtaking view of the London cityscape, and explore the heath’s various nature trails and playgrounds."

"Enjoy the huge outdoor space – 330 acres (134 hectares) – at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. See the peaceful Japanese garden, the amazing trees of the arboretum and explore the stunning glass conservatories. Pack a picnic (or pick up food from one of the restaurants) for the perfect relaxing day out in London."

"Plant Houses Nos. 7 to 14b inclusive were collectively known as the "T" Range because of their T-shaped plan. The extant Aroid House (now the Nash Conservatory) was designated Plant House No. 1 and the Water Lily House was Plant House No. 15."

"St James’s Park might not be the biggest or the flashiest but it is the oldest of London’s eight Royal Parks and the perfect place for picnic, unless you’re afraid of the birds that is. Not only do the famous pelicans take roost on Duck Island but there’s also 17 other species of birds flapping about. But of course all that bird watching is thirsty work, so once you’ve ruffled enough feathers and erm, not taken a pic outside Buckingham Palace, get stuck into that spread."

"Named after a hospital for people suffering from leprosy, St James's is perhaps the most regal of all Royal Parks — home to both The Mall and the Horse Guards Parade, and flanked by Buckingham and St James's palaces. However, the real stars of the park have got to be  Isla, Tiffany and Gargi, the three pelicans who live here. Other attractions include vibrant flower beds, two cafes, and a possibly haunted statue of Queen Anne."

"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."

"Not technically a children’s farm, but we just couldn't resist including Golders Hill Park!. With its large expanse of greenery, it’s the perfect place for a picnic and some animal spotting. Golders Park is home to a large pond with both black and white swans, a deer park, butterfly house and even a small but free zoo where you can meet exotic birds and mammals including laughing kookaburras and ring-tailed lemurs - so there’s no shortage of animal fun here!"

"Old Royal Naval College This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Greenwich. It once served as a naval hospital and later as a naval college. Now, this site is being used as a filming location for many famous movies such as The King’s Speech, Patriot Games, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Avengers, and The Dark Knight Rises."

"The Old Royal Naval College is a set of buildings designed by Christopher Wren whose original purpose was to serve as a place to care for and house retired seamen. Later the large building complex was used as a naval training college and today is used for a number of functions, and many of the buildings are open to the public."

"Begun by Sir Christopher Wren in 1694 as a rest home for ancient mariners, the college became a school in 1873. It's still used for classes…"

"Luxx club has a very impressive location in the heart of Mayfair on the prominent Berkeley Street. The finest restaurants and casinos of the area surround the club. This makes it an excellent spot for some late night fun and partying."

"Andrew Wong’s eponymous restaurant sees traditional Chinese dishes honoured in the most creative and delicious way possible. Despite its Michelin accreditation, this upscale restaurant offers flavourful, excellent quality food at reasonable prices. Much more than just a modern dim sum joint, to get the full experience we thoroughly advise trying Wong’s curated 10-course ‘Taste of China’ menu which showcases the best of regional cuisine, including mouth-watering Shanghai dumplings and succulent Yunnan seared beef."

"Restaurants Chinese Victoria. Forget gilded dragons, book-length menus and stir-fries by numbers, Andrew Wong’s pared-back Pimlico Chinese is a singular affair offering elevated cuisine at everyday prices. Preserved duck egg with marinated tofu, chill and soy is typical, as is poached razor clam with sea cucumber, vinegar tapioca and wind-dried sausage."

"Andrew Wong took over his parent's traditional Chinese restaurant in Victoria back in 2013 and proceeded to shake up the SW1 dining scene in no uncertain way, and it now has two Michelin stars. The 10-course tasting menu in the evening takes inspiration from Chinese history, but what you really want to do is come here for the lunchtime dim sum menu."

"06/04/2021: Ordered a 1/4 duck and chicken chow Mein it is dry as anything it’s like it was cooked yesterday don’t normally order from here but our normal Chinese was closed today"