Top Rated Parks to Visit in Windrush

"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"."

"Originally created in 1536 as a private hunting ground for King Henry VIII, Hyde Park has been at the centre of many important historical events. Today, it’s a beautiful place for a day out, with a busy calendar of concerts and events, and something always going on at the famous Speakers Corner. Hyde Park © Flickr David Corcoran"

"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."

"Richmond Park is right in the midst of Greater London but covering 2500 acres of land, you feel instantly transported to the middle of the countryside. The largest of London’s 8 royal parks, it has a long history linked to the royal family since the 13th Century. Richmond Park is a National Nature Reserve and London’s largest Site of Special Scientific Interest."

"The highest point in Richmond Park affords uninterrupted views of the London skyline. This is the largest of the Royal Parks where you will be able to observe wild deer running freely. Be sure to visit the Isabella Plantation, an ornamental woodland garden full of exotic plants."

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

"One of the city’s wildest green spaces, Hampstead Heath spans a huge proportion of north London. Stroll across the grass and clamber through the gnarled trees or take in the view of London from atop Parliament Hill. If you fancy a dip, the lido is on one side of the hill and the bathing ponds on the other."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"Arguably the finest of London’s parks for visitors of any age, this a haven for families on a sunny day. The newly refurbished playground will please children from toddlers to around the age of seven, with its sand, swings and climbing areas. The park’s vast range of resident birds – from pelicans to mallards – are friendly enough to feed (bring stale bread with you), and the café offers a range of lunch options, from sandwiches and salads to hot meals."

"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."

"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."

"Nestled in Battersea Park, this Children’s Zoo may not exactly be big, but that’s part of its charm. They house a range of mammals, reptiles and birds, from farm to smaller exotics animals. With various feeding times, picnic and play areas and children’s rides, this zoo is especially good for the little ones."

"Battersea Park Children's Zoo is home to a host of farmyard animals, flamingos, otters and monkeys. Battersea Park, London, SW11 4NJ. Tube: Sloane Square Station"

"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."

"Situated in North London, Highgate Wood is one of the four ancient woods of the London Borough of Haringey (together with Queen’s Wood, Coldfall Wood and Bluebell Wood). Containing an impressive variety of trees and shrub species, the Highgate Wood is the home for many foxes, grey squirrels, as well as multiple species of birds, bats, butterflies and spiders. Besides the fact that it was included among the eight Green Heritage Sites in London, Highgate Wood also attracts visitors with its recreational facilities like children playgrounds, cafés, walking trails and sporting fields."

"Between Waterloo and Hungerford bridges you can retreat to the landscaped Victoria Embankment Gardens, where you will find an unmatched tranquillity in this tourist area. In the summer recline on deckchairs and take in a bandstand performance."

"Occupying a 2.2 acre site on the banks of the Thames in Rotherhithe, Surrey Docks Farm is home to everything from cows to goats to bees. There’s plenty to do and see here, including workshops for children, family cooking classes and baby music classes, as well as the opportunity to adopt a pony or donkey. This spring they’ll be launching a new series of green workshops for adults, which will cover topics such as growing, foraging, herbal remedies, growing fruit and vegetables at home and bee keeping.surreydocksfarm.org.uk"

"Donkeys, goats and sheep at Surrey Docks Farm make you feel as though you've stepped into the countryside even though you're in an 18th century shipyard. Rotherhithe Street, Southwark, London, SE16 5ET. Tube: Canary Wharf Station"

"Located on the top floor of 120 Fenchurch Street you will find the Garden at 120. The garden is free to enter and not only has beautiful views over London, but also a modern style and green spaces to relax. It’s the perfect spot for some Instagram shots and also to relax a bit."

"The Garden at 120 is another public London garden that offers epic views. And even better, it’s completely free to go with no booking required!. While it’s not quite as impressive or high as Sky Garden (15th floor vs 43rd floor), it does boast some unique photo opportunities."

"Steve Williams and Raef Hodgson’s peerless Bermondsey wine bar has moved out of its traiteur and sandwich shop phase to reopen outdoors for a selection of snacks, which can be ordered with drinks and enjoyed on one of three tables on the terrace out front. Recently that menu included cauliflower croquettes; smoked cod’s roe and radishes; green beans, tomato, and saffron; chicken and bacon terrine; bread; and sorbet. Takeaway lunches do continue, offering some of London’s best sandwiches."

"Under the railway arches in Bermondsey, on the edge of the popular Maltby Street food market, this no-book, casual bar and restaurant offers the best of modern British cuisine. It’s a low-key food-hipster hang out with small sharing plates: beef and anchovy toast, crisp flower sprouts with yogurt and lemon pickle. There is also a good list of natural wines."

"Here, chef Steve Williams (ex Ledbury and Harwood Arms) is quietly turning out extraordinary dishes that have fellow chefs and restaurateurs regularly citing this as one of their favourite places in town. And it's not just the food that's good, given that it's owned by Gergovie Wines, you can expect a very decent wine list here too. Delivery: Takeaway only"

"Located in William Kent House, an 18th Century house next to The Ritz that was made a part of the hotel almost 10 years ago, The Prince of Wales Suite is one of The Ritz’s signature hotel suites. The two-bedroom suite offers just short of 2,000 sq ft of space for guests and features a dramatic living room with a self-playing piano, a large dining room, separate kitchen and a grand entrance. Guests staying in The Prince of Wales suite will have complimentary use of The Ritz Rolls-Royce for a one-way transfer plus a private butler."

"Another entry on this list able to lay claim to being amongst the best-known hotels in the world – so much so it had a song written in its name. The Ritz opened its doors in 1906 founded by Cesar Ritz and became closely associated with London high society and elegance. The hotel has hosted numerous royal guests over the years, particularly during the Second World War, and the tradition of Afternoon Tea at the Ritz is rightly world-famous."

"Although The Ritz is the epitome of old-school luxury, its restaurant continues to lead the charge with innovative and ingenious haute cuisine. The kitchen, run by head chef John Williams, holds one Michelin star although industry experts will tell you it deserves at least one more. The dining room is an experience in itself with Louis XVI-inspired décor, towering marble columns and rows of chandeliers."

"St Etheldreda’s Church is the oldest church in London, and one of only two in the city which have survived since the reign of Edward I. The exact date in which the building was constructed is unknown but is expected to be between 1250 and 1290. Dedicated to the Anglo-Saxon saint Etheldreda who founded the monastery at Ely back in 673 the church was purchased by the Catholic Church in 1874 and opened in 1878. As such it’s now one of the oldest operational churches in England owned by the Catholic Church."

"Dating from the reign of Edward I, this is one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in the country and was the private chapel of the Bishops of Ely"

"There was a church on this site during the time of the Romans.Some believe that St Bridget, an Irish saint, established the first Christian church on the site in the 6th century. During the Great Plague of 1665, a plague pit was dug within the churchyard. Pepys mentions having to bribe the gravedigger in order to find room to bury his brother."

"Another of Sir Christopher Wren’s designs from the ashes of the 1666 Great Fire, St Bride’s is the tallest of Wren’s churches after St Paul’s, standing at 69m tall. Located in Fleet Street, it has a long association with newspapers and journalists. It was largely gutted by fire during the Blitz in 1940."

"Famous for its three-tiered spire which inspired a baker to create a tiered wedding cake. It has an interesting museum underneath 2"

"St Botolph was a Saxon saint who built a large monastery near to modern-day Boston (a corruption of Botolph’s town) in Lincolnshire in 654. He was the English patron saint of travellers and has three surviving churches in the City dedicated to him. They are all situated next to old city gates, presumably so that those about to set off could dedicate so"