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! :)

A nice place with a lovely open scenery for walking but several including one of my children have…read morealmost drowned in the lake after falling over face first into it.... Going to this location I would suggest keeping your kids well away from the lake Also a while back a murderer used the woodland as a hiding place and wasn't found by the police until six days after he was sleeping there... It's s great place but is it a safe place?

The Five Arches is an area of woodland and open grassland so names because of the five arches that…read moremake up the bridge across the river that runs through it. In the summer, children often paddle in the water and throw stones into the water from the bridge. There's also a park for children to play in which has been modernised to include some exciting looking playground toys. The wooded area provides a fun alternative for youngsters wanting to climb amongst the trees and play hide and seek and a local pub, The White Cross, is a great place for a drink and snack afterwards.

There are many parks in Bromley but this is by far my favourite. Whereas they are all well-kept,…read morethis is the most natural and, wandering through the woods and into sun drenched openings, it feels like you're in the midst of the Kentish countryside. Guided walks are organised here so you can find out all about the wildlife around and spend some time enjoying a walk with other people. In the summer, it's the ideal location for a romantic picnic and I've never seen it over-crowded which is the most positive aspect.

Hilly Fields, To those that don't know then read Henry Williamson. He was born there, read 'The…read moreDark Lantern' the first of his 15 vols called 'The Chronical of ancient sunlight' the library will have all 15 vols, beautiful descriptions of the Hilly fields from 1895 to the beginning of WW1. The most detailed descriptions of life at those times of the whole area. Bert Collins

Tucked between Brockley and Ladywell in South East London this park is a great place for locals to…read morecome and relax on a hot Summer's day. As the name suggests it's not the flatest of spaces but it is definitely a large enough space of green to escape the urban sprawls of surrounding Lewisham, New Cross, Catford et al. Great for an evening stroll, a Summer picnic or just if your craving a nice view. You can see for miles from it's highest point. A good place for locals, but as the previous reviewer noted possibly not the most notable of areas if you're a tourist..

Living in New Eltham we are blessed to have this lovely expansive park right on our doorstep. The…read morepark is a great place for walking the dog, for kids to play footie or just to wander through some of the ancient trees. There's a great cafe which is very cheap and does some great hot snacks and just outside the little kids are playing on the swings etc so great for families. It's a well kept park and right next to the university of Greenwich campus so you often see students laying out on the grass in the summer taking life in while they study.

A very large park which houses the famous winter gardens which are hothouses containing exoctic…read moreplants from around the world. These are maintained by the University of Grennwich next door. Adjacent to these is a walled rose garden ideal for relaxing on a summers day. In the center of the park is a childrens playground with a small cafe which serves excellent home cooked meals. The park houses several sports pitches which can be hired from the local council. The Green chain walk runs through the park

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.

What ostensibly looks like a shabby greenhouse in an unassuming corner of Avery Hill Park (part of…read moreGreenwich university's Southwood site) reveals, quite literally, an oasis. Said to contain the largest palm tree in Europe, this centrepiece is surrounded by a menagerie of tropical plants and succulents. It's barely a fraction the size of Kew Gardens or the Eden project, but they don't have a prized marble of a reclining Galatea, do they?

This magnificent piece of architecture misses out the most important thing that should be in a…read moreglasshouse: plants! Horticultural knowledge - and perhaps even watering - is much needed at this site. I am amazed that they claim the glasshouse is the second largest in England - what is available for the public is a poorly maintained structure where plants are not at the centrepiece, and is worrying to see how little cared for this site is. Can the University not enthuse its many students to volunteer and help to bring this amazing site to its former glory?

I appreciate that the London Wildlife Trust has preserved this small slice of woodland from the…read moreencroach of civilization. And it is vaguely wild - there's a decent tree canopy overhead, but very little underbrush. It's not quite large enough to really feel like you're really apart from the city - from several spots, we could see houses and hear noises from the surrounding city. It's worthwhile for locals looking for a spot to walk or run, but in my view, it doesn't justify more than a 5 minutes drive to get here.

Due to time restraints I wasn't able to explore, but the little bit of woods I saw was adjacent to…read moreCox's Walk. According to my map Dulwich Wood is some distance away, but it's what the sign said the website later confirmed my assumption that the wood stretches right across the Northern end of the golf course. I wish I'd had time to explore further what I saw was beautiful. Apparently it's the remnant of a much larger ancient wood. Lovely mature trees, not much undergrowth, views out over London between the trees. A really peaceful atmosphere.

This has to be one of North London's best kept secrets! I can't believe I had never heard of this…read moregarden (even my dad had not heard of it and he grew up near here.) I assume the lucky locals would like to keep this as a secret treasure, but it is too good not to share with yelpers!! The Pergola and Hill Gardens are hidden between Hampstead Heath and Golders Hill Park. The Pergola half of the garden is essentially a long raised walkway, under a long pergola made from wood and stone, covered in gorgeous smelling roses and other climbing plants. The other half of the garden has a large square pond full of lilies, sculptured hills and nice soft grass to sit on and have a picnic. I have a feeling it could be very busy on nice days...but when we visited it all seemed far quieter than Golders Hill Park - even though it is so, so much nicer. Practicalities: - If you don't want to walk, just take the 210 bus and get off at Inverforth House, you can see the signs to the garden. - It's free (!)

This place is beyond beautiful. I'm always surprised when I find places like this in London that is…read moreopen for the general public with no fee. Tucked away on the smaller side of Hampstead Heath, in between Hampstead Heath and Golders Hill Park is this little Gem. Because it's hidden away it's less busy than both the known green spaces. The pergola goes on and on with hidden entrances to the gardens. The gardens all have walk ways for you to meander through them. I can imagine that this place will get used for many photoshoots. You have to be careful you're not walking into someone else's shot. None of the photos or reviews will EVER do this place justice. Trust me and go see for yourself.

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!