This is a lovely park. we brought our four year old granddaughter and we all loved it. Large grassy…read moreareas for running, picnicking, and playing ball. Playground equipment for kids of all ages and it is right next to Spitalfield City Farm, which is free of charge. You could easily spend an entire afternoon here. Highly recommend this for families with young children.

If there is a magical place on Earth (that is not in Florida, USA), Allen Gardens has certainly won…read morethe title! In one of my walks around Shoreditch/Brick Lane area I stumbled upon this park with a playground for grown ups. I mean, SERIOUSLY? Me and my friend couldn't resist ,and we spent about 2h playing in all the games that were there. A lot of people come to have pic-nics, walk their dogs and play (like me!). The view is quite nice, and you can also watch the London Overground running above you. If you walk all the way till the end, you will face the Hackney City Farm's fence, and you can even see some animals hanging out. Something there is also very curious (but I don't have any information about) is the big house in the middle of the lawn - I'm not sure if someone still lives there, but from far away it looks a little haunted. This garden was for residents use only, but not so long ago, considering the development and growth of the area, it became public. I should have won you with "playground for grown ups", but if I still haven't convinced you this is a nice place, go check! :)

So I wouldn't have even gone to this garden, except for the Yeoman Warden at the Tower of London's…read moretour at which it was mentioned that the scaffolding for the public be-headings was here. So to make it clear, people like Anne Boleyn (being the queen and Royal) was executed in private and in the premises within the Tower of London. But the site for public executions, like the Bishop of Canterbury was this site, now refurbished into a park space. This may sounds ghoulish, but I really wanted to check out the site, and to be honest, it's such an understated memorial, I struggled to find it. It's not the big monument, which is actually the naval/ sailor's memorial (anyone else find this juxtaposition weird?) but instead this small square. I visited in the twilight time, so my pics aren't that clear, but still it was interesting being there. Can't believe that such a pleasant oasis in the city area has such a ghoulish past.

Mile End Park might be London's most underrated park. Completely unbeknownst to tourists who…read moremainly beeline to West End parks, this East London park is a slender 79-acre strip of fabulous modern design, gardens, lakes, and culture/leisure centres along the beautiful Regent's Canal. It's a low-key local gem just across the street from the more popular, sprawling Victoria Park. In my Top 5 Parks along with Regent's and Hampstead Heath

I really love Mile End Park on a quiet day (when the weather is rubbish, hah :)) - there's plenty…read moreof space and I keep discovering new bits I haven't ventured to yet. There is the 'Eco Pavilion' which overlooks a few ponds. Several areas of trees/wildflowers. Close proximity and easy access to Regent's Canal, where one can take a nice walk down to Victoria Park or the Hertford Union Canal. If you're thirsty there's a cafe, and if you fancy a beer the Palm Tree pub is close by. The couple of downsides are that 1) it's never closed and there are sometimes some street drinkers/groups of drunk people inhabiting certain areas and 2) It's next to two very busy roads.

Potters Field Park is a riverside park behind City Hall, next to Tower Bridge, designed by…read morelandscape architect Gross Max. It offers iconic London views, space for quiet contemplation, somewhere to exercise or walk the dog, a place to picnic with friends, and a program of lively events. Elevated lawns are located adjacent to the river and river side wall providing open spaces for pedestrians to stop and relax. These open flexible spaces also provide the opportunity for public events Standing in the shadow of Tower Bridge and opposite the Tower of London it has a long and incredibly varied history. Past: A potter field was originally a space where poor people were buried; in biblical times, priests bought clay-rich land owned by pot-makers for their burial grounds. Over the centuries, Potters Fields Park has been used as both a burial ground and a site for pottery manufacture

Bar none, this is the best park for a lazy weekend picnic in London…read more Pick up some food and wine from the M&S Simply Food around the corner in More London, set up shop under the shade of a tree overlooking Tower Bridge and watch the world go by on the Thames. When you run out of wine, pop over to the Krystals convenience shop on Tower Bridge Road (just walk up the steps on the east side of Tower Bridge and head south) - they have loads on offer, all pre-chilled and reasonably priced. There are also pay-for toilets nearby if you need them or you can be a degenerate and use the one at the Starbucks in Shad Thames without buying anything - but you might have to wait in the queue of shame.

An absolute gem of a park…read more Just a stone's throw from busy Bethnal Green Road, Weavers Field is a lush oasis in the crazy city. It's really well kept, clean, multiple play lots of children (separate for big kids and small kids, even!), nice green grass that invites a picnic blanket or just sunning on the days where the sun also comes out to play. On our weekend visit there were approximately 400 children playing happily, 42 footballs bouncing about, a man playing guitar whimsically, 33 couples sunning and discussing their love for each other while wearing stylish sunglasses and a partridge in a pear tree. Ok, a squirrel in a pine tree. If you're nearby, this is worth a stop. Not huge or royal, but very very pleasant for an afternoon outdoors.

It's so good to have green space in a busy inner London district. This park distinguishes itself…read morefor its woodland which is unique in this part of London. It may not be very big but it has several attractive features for the nature spotters. I saw various squirrels and birds all attracted by the robust woods. For those who like a bit of football, there are big football pitches for the David beckham wannabes. But they are often booked by practice football teams.

Everyone Far East as bricklane must have heard of Victoria park! If they haven't then I must…read moreenlighten briefly. It is a huge park, that if you were to traverse the outer path you'll have walked 5Km doing that one circuit. It was named in honour of our queen Victoria herself. It stands proudly in East London, underneath the fine borough of hackney and above tower hamlets! It's my favourite park in London, if not the world! It's not particularly crazy in design or has architectural or agricultural delights or even much elevation, however it's just perfect. On a fine sunny day, the park screams community, relaxation and escapism from the bustle of the city. I run around the park 2-3 times a week and never get tired of it. It makes me breath fresh air and the people there are lovely! Please go to the park and treat it some respect as it will certainly treat you with a wonderful experience, right back at ya!

After much construction over the last year, the park is starting to come into its own again. I…read morelove this place! Beautiful tree lined paths to walk down, lovely ponds and water features that attract wonderful wildlife, so many places to just...chill. Just about the only sizable park I know of east of The City. Tasty cafe's and shops to pop into on Lauriston Road after a nice walk in the park. Enjoy!

Well, this park and garden is sublime…read more And I would know as I am an expert in outdoor parks in and around Old Street/Barbican/Islington. Why? Because I have a toddler in London, which means I have a toddler in a small flat, which means we MUST get outside or everyone goes crazy. So on this particularly lovely Saturday morning we walked to Kings Square Gardens on our babysitter's recommendation. She has a tendency to exaggerate so I wasn't expecting it to be so great, but it is. When you don't have kids you probably think all parks look the same. I did. Now I don't. There are some parks that standout and some parks that basically suck, and Kings Square is a GEM. First of all -- water and sand. This combination can keep a small person busy for like 15 hours without much else. I blissed out catching some rays as my little guy trounced back and forth back and forth back and forth back and forth between 2 fountains. He was in absolute heaven. Throw in a few curbs and a HUGE sand pit, and wow -- all set. But it gets better -- a great slide built into the side of a hill. Why is this great? Because you don't need to worry about the small kids and a ladder or about them falling off the sides of the slide. This was an activity on repeat for about an hour as well. Genius. Beyond that it's super well cared for, very clean and nice people go here. Police rode through on some horses and waved at the kids. Dogs are welcome and visible from the kid area, but in their own area so things don't get weird. It's green and lush with beautiful trees and grounds. It's peaceful and the kids love it. We shall be regulars, very happy to have found it and I hope it helps someone else along the way as well! People, we need more park reviews! Park features (from the Islington.gov website): play space, large sand pit, climbing frames, swings, slide, play huts, roundabout, grass mound with water pumps, children's toilets, interactive water play feature, bog garden, pergola, planting beds and seating AND mature trees.

This park doesn't fitness area. However, it is amazing and suitable for kids and pets.read more

Well, what a treat this little park is! Hat tip to Steve B for the info…read more Here's our weekend morning routine: *Assemble baby, dog, buggy, parents. (1 hour+) *Exit door. (20 minutes) *Walk to Whitecross Street. (10 minutes) *Head to Fix Coffee - get all the coffee possible. (10 minutes) *Husband to Waitrose for supplies. (SOLO, lucky duck -- this is what I get for refusing to cook). *Me with dog/baby to Fortune Street Park. (30 seconds from Waitrose) *Sit on a park bench, enjoy green space, nice park, loads of other children/babies happily chirping, eating at picnic tables, kicking balls around, playing on playground, etc. (5 minutes) *Spread baby out on blanket (4 minutes). Put back in buggy (2 minutes) *Let dog relieve herself. Responsibly dispose (15-45 minutes depending on her mood). *More coffee from Giddyup Coffee Cart in park (THANK GOD - 2 minutes) *Meet husband, walk back with all the groceries. Baby sleeps. Dog half asleep. *Return home! Happy, caffeinated parents, full refrigerator, all beasts with fresh air in their lungs and sleep in their eyes. C'est fini -- that's as glam as it gets with a baby, folks! Thank god for places like Fortune Street Park, it makes it all quite enjoyable!

This is a busy playground and green space tucked behind Whitecross Street. A good place for…read moredevouring your spoils from the street market. It's busy and rightfully so largish playground for mixed ages with an interesting and unusual range of play equipment. The kids always loved it here when they were little..I love the sign reminding adults that kids have priority for the play equipment written for me I guess.

There are many mini squares in Hoxton…read more Not all are created equal. Of course many will flock to Hoxton Square to grab a patch of grass...errr dirt, and soak up some sun on the off chance there may be some. HSQ is active, lots of bars/restaurants surround it and it's kept very nicely...as are all of the parks I've been to in Hackney. (my council tax at work!). But I much prefer Aske. A quiet little half square just a street over from Hoxton Square on Pitfield Street. It has; - 1 very nice tennis court. - 1 full court basketball court with scoreboard. - Many benches. - Lush green grass. I much prefer to picnic (Pitfield & Kurious Yellow Cafe are nearby or Yours Food Centre is right next to it and has a lovely organic section, drinks, water) or hang out in Aske compared to Hoxton Square Park. Watch some tennis or bball, sit with the dog, walk around a bit. It's smaller, but much nicer in my opinon. *there is always a wait for the tennis courts on a nice day. Be warned! *I feel this park gets less peed on/puked on during the weekends because its more open to a main street. By humans, obviously. *Less dogs running around unleashed because it is near a busier street. *Open Dawn til Dusk, like most parks in London. And the real kicker? One day I was walking my dog through here and was cleaning up after her and one of the Park Attendants came up to me and thanked me for doing so. In my 10 years of having a dog, no one has ever thanked me for this thankless duty (pun intended) -- but I really appreciated it and thought it was nice. Also, pick up after your dog if you have one!