Top Rated Parks to Visit in Kentish Town

"When a park is home to a few Princes and a Duchess or two, you know it’s going to be good. As well as green spaces abundant enough to dodge the crowds, you’ll find historic monuments to explore, fountains to both splash about in and admire, myriad art installations, and free exhibitions at the Serpentine Gallery a short walk away from its namesake lake. Now that’s a walk in the park."

"Hyde Park may be nearly 7 times larger, but I’ve always been partial to St. James’s Park, flanked on the east by Buckingham Palace and on the west by Number 10 Downing Street, the British government headquarters. I’m a particular fan of the St. James’s Parks lakes as well as the wildlife it supports, which include pelicans, ducks (lots of ducks!) and foxes!"

"The 350-acre space is located right in the heart of London, making it easy to access and easy to find if you’re learning your way around London. During the summer months, this park is filled with happy picnic goers, and is certainly big enough to make sure social distancing procedures are followed, too."

"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."

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

"Elevate your London perspective – Hampstead Heath is one of the best places in London to see the city skyline. In fact, the view from Parliament Hill in the south-east corner of the park is protected by law. Make the hike up the 322-foot (98-metre) hill and you'll be rewarded with views of Canary Wharf, St Paul's Cathedral and many more top London sights."

"So everyone knows about Hampstead Heath but it’s still the place to go for a picnic. Not only is it massive, so plenty of room for everyone, but you get mega views from the top of Parliament Hill, you’ve got the ponds and a lido for when you wanna take a dip and it’s a lovely walk up to Kenwood House."

"One of the more natural and untamed parks in London, Hamstead Heath is 320 hectares of parklands with stunning views over London from the top of Parliament Hill."

"I may be biased because I live very near here but I believe beautiful Kew is the best area to stay in London and Kew Gardens is one of the best attractions here. Kew Gardens are 121 hectares of beautiful gardens and botanical glasshouses located between Richmond and Kew (in southwest London). The gardens are on a mission not only to be beautiful (which they are) but to contribute to research and nurturing of the plant kingdom."

"Close to London’s center, this is a relatively small Royal Park bordering the Mall – the red road which leads to Buckingham Palace. The Mall is also the Queen’s ceremonial route. On the other side of the park is the Horseguard Parade, where you can see the annual Trooping of the Color as well as the palace guards practicing their moves."

"For a breath of fresh air, take a walk through St. James’s Park en-route to Buckingham Palace. The park is one of eight of the city’s Royal Parks and has over 50 acres of green spaces, flower beds, and even a lake that contains some famous resident pelicans."

"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."

"They’re not the most anatomically accurate dinosaur sculptures ever made, but from 1854 they are the world’s first – and youngsters go crazy for them. They, like the fiendish maze (considerably less fiendish in winter when the hedges are bare), were among the many attractions of the cutting-edge Victorian pleasure grounds created to surround the Crystal Palace, relocated from Hyde Park (no.22) to the top of Sydenham Hill. Not all have survived; the palace itself burnt down in 1936 – but the simple pleasures that remain, combined with many later additions (including an urban farm and skatepark), make for a charming and idiosyncratic park."

"Last but certainly not least is the reptile ruling Crystal Palace Park. A real adventure in South East London, with a lovely cafe, multiple paths to follow and some massive stone lizards, making this park a little more exciting than your average hang out!. Now why not check out"

"Located on the Clerkenwell side of Old Street, Monohon serves just six types of ramen, including three soup-less ones, one of which is served chilled. The Spicy Tonkotsu – creamy pork bone broth with thin noodles, bean sprouts, spring onions, slow cooked pork belly and spicy miso pork mince – is a winner and you can customise it to your liking, choosing level of spice, how hard you want your noodles and how big you want the bowl to be. Slurping = essential."

"Outside of lockdown this teeny Clerkenwell sushi restaurant is one of the best in town and, consequently, the hardest to get a seat at. During lockdown it’s been more egalitarian. There’s just one option - a dining set with Omakase - which gives you a range of sashimi, sushi rice and more for you to make up as you’d like."

"Hands-down one of London’s best places for sushi - if only you can get a reservation. The room may be tiny, but the talent is huge. Toru Takahashi and his wife, Harumi run the show and, obviously, counter dining is the best place to enjoy Toru’s food (and skills)."

"Clerkenwell’s Sushi Tetsu might be the hardest reservation to secure in London. That’s in part because there are only seven seats. It’s also because pound-for-pound, it serves the best (value) sushi in the city."

"With the sunlight streaming into Flor’s first floor windows of a Saturday, the chic bakery, wine bar and restaurant by the laudable Lyle’s crew feels heaven-sent. Pam Yung is now firmly at the helm, and with lunch undivided from its mid-morning cousin, dishes might include cucumber aggressed by chicory and cocoa; a scallop aguachile with tarocco orange and rhubarb; or a maritozzo overspilling its cod brandade filling. Needless to say, the wine list is stellar."

"Restaurants British Borough"

"If, however, you fancy extra flavour then head to Teddington’s popular brunch spot The Fallow Deer for their Greek-style scrambled eggs on souvlaki bread with feta, mint and chilli oil sautéed tomatoes."

"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."