Top Rated Parks to Visit in Hoxton

"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."

"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."

"Beautiful grasslands and deer herds are just minutes away from Central London. Head to Richmond Park, one of the best parks in London, which is also a National Nature Reserve to relax in the lap of nature. This park is a famous site for some of the most ancient trees and the rarest species of wildflowers, beetles, and bats."

"Richmond Park is the biggest park in London, at a whopping 2,500 acres. As the largest royal park, you can expect hundreds of deer enjoying the open space as well as a range of other wildlife including bats, birds and wildflowers. There are also stunning views which stretch so far you can see St Paul’s Cathedral."

"Always sad to see some of the big stag go but it’s how the park is managed and has lasted so long."

"This ancient expanse of common land straddling a high ridge between Hampstead and Highgate is, perhaps, London’s most beloved open space. Its rolling hills and meadows, copses and glades, glittering ponds and views conjure a deep sense of the rural that simply doesn’t exist elsewhere. A summer’s picnic in the long grass, kite-flying on Parliament Hill or tobogganing down it in the snow, a splash in the bathing ponds, a Sunday ramble to emerge muddy-booted at a village pub or Kenwood (no.3) – these are sacred institutions for many, many Londoners, who would probably lay down their lives for the Heath if they had to."

"Hampstead Heath Park London is one of the most loved parks in London. There’s plenty of things to do like visiting the Parliament Hill, Golders Hill Park-with a zoo and a gorgeous butterfly house, an open-air Lido, swimming ponds, splash pools, countless sports pitches and facilities, athletics track, playgrounds, stunning listed Pergola and Hill Garden. The list of things to do at Hampstead Heath doesn’t end!"

"For generations, Londoners have headed to Hampstead Heath to escape the dirt and noise of the city, and this unique 791-acre expanse…"

"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."

"Founded in 1840, using plants from Kew Park in Middlesex, Kew Gardens is one of the largest and lushest botanic gardens in the world."

"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."

"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."

"After being re-landscaped in 2002, the beautiful garden at Bloomsbury’s Russell Square was given a fountain. It rises from the centre of the square. While it may be small, it still offers excellent paddling opportunities for children and their parents."

"Windsor Great Park stretches south from Windsor Castle almost all the way to Ascot, 7 miles southwest. Accessed via Park St, it covers just under 8 sq miles and holds a lake, walking tracks, a bridleway, gardens and a deer park where red deer roam free. Its 2.7-mile Long Walk, scene of the royal wedding procession in 2018, leads from King George IV Gate to the 1831 Copper Horse statue (of George III) on Snow Hill, the park's highest point."

"The remains of an ancient royal hunting forest, this park stretches for some 5,000 acres south of Windsor Castle. Much of it is open…"

"Truly in the heart of the city, Red Cross Garden is part of the Bankside Open Spaces Trust. You can stare out at the city from the tranquility of the garden, which was restored to its original Victorian layout back in 2005. COVID-19 UPDATE: Red Cross Garden looks to be open, but please respect social distancing rules."

"267 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 2UQ Why should you care?. Butcher & Brew have been established in Streatham for a few years, and now they've also just opened on the opposite side of London on Islington's Upper Street. Beer and meat is the neme of the game here."

"Bars and pubs Gastropubs King’s Cross. With its first-floor wraparound terrace and an alfresco area overlooking Regent’s Canal in King’s Cross, this capacious bar-restaurant hybrid is a magnet for waterside drinkers and diners. The Lighterman’s alfresco spaces all operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so prepare for a bun fight on hot days."

"Set beside Regent's Canal, The Lighterman is a stunning all-day bistro with a sunny terrace perfect for alfresco-style drinking and dining. Open from 7:30am, this place serves boozy brunches, quick lunches and sumptuous Sunday feasts - all with a gorgeous waterside backdrop."

"An outdoor restaurant in King's Cross, known for its Sunday roasts and views across the canal, The Lighterman is a premium option for both summer and winter as you enjoy all that North London has to offer perched by the water."

"Following a turbulent few months for the hospitality industry, it’s heartening – and hugely impressive – to see new ventures launching. One of these is Stanley’s, recently opened on Sydney Street. It’s the first restaurant venture from 27-year-old Hugh Stanley, the nephew of the Earl of Derby – though he’s been in the hospitality scene for a while, having previously worked at the likes of Tonteria and The Sydney Arms."

"This newish Chelsea restaurant makes the most of its large courtyard garden. There are two large parasols that keep the banquette seating dry and they also have inbuilt heaters to keep you warm and toasty. Weekend brunch sounds particularly good like the buttermilk flatbread with crab and poached egg."

"New to Chelsea, Stanley's features a menu with an emphasis on British produce and has the ace-in-its-sleeve of a big outside courtyard for alfresco drinking and dining."

"Springfield Park may not be well known but that’s exactly why we love it. Nestled in between Clapton and Walthamstow, the park was originally a combination of grounds from three private houses (only the White House is still standing). Now it’s got cricket, tennis and athletics facilities and is right on the edge of the River Lea."

"Also check out what is happening at the Royal Albert Hall during your visit, this world-famous venue hosts everything from classical concerts to rock bands to tennis matches! If you prefer a club or a bar to a theater, London has some of the best clubs in Europe. Here is a list of some of London’s top clubs to get you started. Note that most bars stop serving drinks between 11am and 2am, and here is a guide to some of London’s late night bars."

"Widely known for its dome shape, the Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall in South Kensington. Opened by Queen Victoria in 1871, all the world’s most famed artists have performed here at one point or another. Annually, the hall hosts 390 shows."

"From Kensington Palace, it’s a lovely walk through Kensington Gardens to the Royal Albert Hall. This was opened by Queen Victoria in 1871, and is named in memory of her husband Albert, who had died six years earlier."

"A wild green space in the heart of King’s Cross, run by the London Wildlife Trust as an urban nature reserve for birds, butterflies, bats and a wide variety of plant life. Come here for peaceful walks in the wetlands, woodlands and meadow, but for an extra dose of tranquillity, spend some time on the newly added floating platform – part island/part hideaway – which offers close up views of both the canal and the park. The park is temporarily closed, but will re-open in Spring 2019."

"London Cakes & Bakes is a patisserie owned by Victoria, a skilled and well-established patisserie chef that offers delicious cakes, cupcakes and pastries that would certainly delight the sweet tooth in you. Using the finest ingredients of fruits, organic butter, free-range eggs and chocolates from the best French and Belgian suppliers, they guarantee delicious and flavourful combination that will tempt any palate. Oozing with all-natural flavours and taste, they guarantee no artificial flavouring used for the cakes that they have."