Top Rated Parks to Visit in London Borough of Southwark

"Despite being the home of Winter Wonderland every year, Hyde park is not short on things to do in the summer. Here you can find the Serpentine, London’s oldest boating lake, where you can rent a boat or swim in if the weather allows. As well as that, there’s a rose garden and a meadow if you want some pretty views with your picnic."

"Hyde Park opened to the general public in 1637, and this was by order of King Charles, but it was not the reason why the park came into existence. In 1536, the park was acquired by Henry VIII, the first member of the royal family. The primary reason he acquired this large area of space was to turn it into a hunting ground."

"Hyde Park is centrally located and loved by many residents as well as international students. This gorgeous park is spread across 350 acres of land. It has more than 4,000 trees, a lake, a meadow, a rose garden and several ducks enhancing the beauty."

"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."

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

"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."

"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 been 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."

"The Heath is only four miles from Trafalgar Square and has about 800 acres of lovely countryside. It is rich in flora and fauna, is enjoyed by thousands and is within easy reach of millions!. The landscape has woodland, meadows, heathland and many ponds along its valleys and features such as hedgerows and ancient trees provide links with the past.Kingfishers, reed warblers and all three species of British woodpecker breed, over 300 species of fungi have grown here and many-species of bats are here."

"Ok, it’s not technically a park, but it most definitely is one of London’s foremost green spaces. Speaking of technicalities, its proper title is actually Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, but when did anyone last call it that?. However you refer to it, Kew is a glorious day out, and with 300 acres and 50,000 plants, you could go every week of the year and discover something new every time."

"Kew Gardens — officially called the Royal Botanic Gardens — is situated in southwest London on the south bank of the Thames and is a wonderful place to visit as you enjoy the numerous plants grown amid its 300 acres. Laid out in 1759, the gardens became government property in 1841. In 1897, Queen Victoria added Queen's Cottage and the adjoining woodland."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"The newest wild-swimming spot in London is located in the most significant green space of Lewisham in South East London. Actually, it’s located in an old Georgian lake lost in 1800 when it was first created by John Cator of Beckenham Place Mansion. Now the lagoon is back to its former glory."

"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."

"The 2,020-hectare Windsor Great Park was enclosed in the 13th century, having previously been part of a large Norman hunting forest. It includes a Deer Park, woods, formal avenues, gardens and wild grasslands. The park is open to the public and welcomes millions of visitors every year who come to enjoy the open space."

"Only 10 minutes drive from Windsor, discover the award-winning Savill Building with the largest gridshell roof structure in the UK. This unique building is the magnificent entrance to the The Savill Garden, offering excellent gift shopping, plant sales and beautiful terraced restaurant."

"This Stoke Newington spot has held a Green Flag award since 2006, and is deservedly popular. It's very child friendly, with a decent play area and even a small zoo (and, like Richmond park, boasts deer also). In a pre-lockdown world, the park often hosted events, from twilight walks in search of bats to football festivals to sessions discovering the edible fruit and flowers which grow in the grounds."

"It’s got tennis courts and bowling green for when you’re feeling particularly energetic, but the park itself is big enough to get a good stroll in. You can see the whole thing by walking the perimeter, looping in the Grade-II listed Clissold House and the lakes on the way. If that doesn’t earn you a picnic after, nothing does."

"Clissold Park is a great park to come and enjoy some nature in London. Easy to get to from Stoke Newington you can enjoy peaceful waters and cute, inquisitive deer within minutes of leaving central London."

"Housing not just a farm but a community charity, stables and children’s nursery, Mudchute Park and Farm stretches across 32 acres of greenery in the heart of East London – making it the largest inner city farm in the country. Residents include over 100 animals, including cattle, sheep, donkeys, llamas and geese, as well as both a petting zoo and a duck pond. They also have a large Equestrian Centre, providing year-round facilities for riding, catering to a wide range of ages and abilities."

"You hear London and you think think: Museums, Hyde Park, the Queen and crazy shopping. London has everything. And as we learned recently, it has everything include several farms, yes farms!"

"It is a little square box of a church, by Wren, tucked away in a little courtyard which was once the graveyard, but now a place to sit and eat your sandwiches. It is not only one of Wren’s prettiest churches but also the least altered since it was built in 1686. It is renowned for its splendid carved wood interior, especially the reredos, or altarpiece, by the master Grinling Gibbons, with its lively swags of flowers."

"The gothic tower of St. Michael Cornhill is sometimes called Wren’s last work (it was finished in 1721) but was actually designed by his pupil Nicholas Hawksmoor. The rest of the church is by Wren. Thomas Gray, the author of Elegy in a Country Churchyard, was baptised here, and the church has his walking stick."

"Londoners love fish and Billingsgate Market is the best place to eat it or buy it for cooking at home for family and friends. Prawns, cod, octopus, crab, haddock, eels, anchovies, squid, shark, salmon, sardines – the list is endless. Fish market vendors are experts in how to catch, farm, store and cook fish, and serve it up to you in a restaurant too."

"Directly next door to Victoria Miro is this treasure of a gallery. Established by art biographer and collector Ziba Ardalan in 2007 this not for profit corporation is run for the public and the entry is free. They have been accountable for introducing global artists to the London art scene and starting the careers of Yang Fudong, Charles Avery and Michael Borremans."

"This arcade is pretty lush with beautiful shops lining the sides. During the main opening hours it can be quite busy, but if you are patient or go at night you should be able to get a clean shot. Best time for pics: Morning or eveningCost: FreeLocation: Burlington Arcade, Mayfair, London W1J"

"With ceilings and lights now restored to how they would have looked when it was built in 1819, Burlington Arcade is the finest of Mayfair's…"