Home Park is the name given to the area of Hampton Court Palace park which is open to the public…read more It is a large expanse of parkland (over 550 acres) and a perfect place to get some exercise and fresh air, and escape the urban bustle of west London. I've always found it surprisingly quiet - less busy than adjacent Bushy Park or Richmond Park. It is easily accessible from either Kingston-upon-Thames (a 10 minute walk) or Hampton Court railways stations (5 minutes). The area has been a royal hunting ground for centuries, but it was Henry VIII who enclosed the area to form the park as it is now. In 1639 Charles I created the Longford river to bring water to the park, and in 1661 Charles II created the main feature, the "Long Water", effectively a wide ornamental canal, over half a mile long, flanked with a double row of trees on each bank. It was in the park that William III had his riding accident in 1702 (when his horse stumbled on a molehill) from which he died shortly afterwards. The park was opened to the public in 1893 and the golf course opened in 1895. The area south of the Long Water is mostly occupied by the golf course: the park is otherwise a mixture of small wooded areas, ponds and small lakes, and uncut acid grassland; this grassland is home to a wide variety of insects and attracts many different bird species as well as colonies of bats. The park also contains 7,000 trees (including a nationally important concentration of mistletoe, growing on lime trees) and a herd of 300 fallow deer. It is therefore protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Access is through various gates: the closest to Hampton Court is a 5-minute walk along the river bank from the end of Hampton Court Palace bridge. There are also gates along Hampton Court Road and close to Kingston Bridge. There are paths for walkers and cyclists: vehicles are only permitted for those members driving to the golf course. if you are walking in winter, the paths can get very muddy, so waterproof walking boots are advisable. Visitors are advised to stay at least 50 metres from the deer, and to keep dogs on leash when in their vicinity (it is an offence to let dogs approach or chase the deer, and the park noticeboards record a number of prosecutions of dog owners for this, as a warning). Fishing in the ponds and Long Water is strictly by permit only. The park is closed at sundown - closing times are posted on gates, and also on the park website.

Woah! This park has it all! Also known as St Mark's Park…read more(after the street on which is located) Kensington memorial is brilliant and the perfect place for kids and adult to go crazy. This park has been recently refurbished and I am very happy because its like 10 mins away from mine. It is wheelchair accessible, has a adventure playground with colourful apparatus+ sand box, a larger play area for older children with space rockets climbing frames etc and a large water park that is an absolute blessing on these hot, hot day! And the best part?! It is all free!! There is also a small shop(open during the summer months) that sells hot/cold snacks and chairs and tables you can eat at. Lots of toilets, grass, shade etc. It also includes tennis courts, football, junior cricket classes and One O'clock club which is managed by Family and Children's Services. The park was opened in 1926 in memoriam to those who fell in the Great War.

I recently discovered the delightful park and gardens down by the riverside in Twickenham which are…read morepart of York House, previously owned by Sir Ratan Tata and now part of the Civic offices of Richmond Borough Council. It's the perfect place for a short stroll or to sit and enjoy some peace and take in the lovely surroundings. It's also home to a spectacular and quite unexpected fountain which wouldn't look out of place in Florence!

Really large park, good for after lunch walk. It takes me some time to find the deers. They are not…read moreafraid of people at all.

very nice park with loads of nice trees and a big park wgich is great for kids…read more nice to walk around, very big

Somebody might give it 4 stars because it's too sparsely populated, but there aren't many reasons…read morenot to love one of the crown-jewel London parks. I guess maybe if you don't like little baby deer (how couldn't you?). At 955 hectares, you'll be hard-pressed to make it one side to the other, let alone experience all this natural wonder has to offer (or to know what a hectare is). Even those artificial Pen Ponds seem natural, since they've been here since 1746. Be sure to come in spring to marvel at the azaleas in Isabella Plantation, and bring your bike for the myriad trails winding throughout the property, unless you'd prefer to bring your horse instead (horses love baby deer). Cover those baby deer's ears because we should note there's "culling" in February and November (say it isn't so). It's easy to arrive by train or tube if you're not just riding your bike/horse straight from home. If I lived that close (and had a horse) you know I'd be doing that often. Thanks Charles I for spending all those forced-tax dollars on a place you could put a bunch of deer, all those centuries ago. We'll look forward to another visit soon.

Vast and well maintained "wild" park. This is the park to go sight seeing for deer, Canadian geese,…read moreswans, all manner of ducks and lots of pet dogs. We walked 5 miles easy from the pedestrian entrance in Petersham to the large ponds and back. If you're taking the tube, get off at Richmond station and right outside the station, catch bus 371 to Richmond Hill pass the American University. When you get off, make a left and walk for a few minutes, you'll see the park entrance.

What a beautiful park…read more I went for the enchanted woodland walk, and it was just lovely. The 2 mile walk takes in some of the highlights of the ground, all decorated with beautiful lights. It was just gorgeous. I did think they should have limited the number of people walking around, perhaps to hourly slots, as it was so busy it kind of changed the atmosphere a little bit. All of the lights and scenes created were so creative and well thought out. Magical for both adults and children. The cutest things were seeing little fairies and pixies dotted around, and little doors at the bottom of trees where little elves must live. I loved it and would highly recommend you visit next winter. I'd really like to go back to the park in the day time for a nice sunny walk!

A lovely park, one of those where you forget you're in London. It's a bit built up and a bit out of…read morethe way, but once you get there, it's really nice. There's a garden centre and a Hilton hotel, as well as lots of park land, grazing cattle, and a fly fishing pond, just to name a few things. Oh, and Syon House, of course! It is, unfortunately, in the flight path - which might be good if you like to look at big planes! It's also near to Kew so while it might not be a place to go for your final destination, it's worth passing through.

Another dreamy spot in Richmond Park!…read more An ornamental woodland garden that deserves to be visited as much as is humanly possible. At this very moment, a lot of the trees are glowing red! It's just stunning! There's a delightful pond filled with waterlilies and the most beautiful reflections. It's name seems to originate from the word 'isabel' in the 15th century, which meant dingy or greyish yellow - referring to the colour of the soil in this part of the park. It certainly contains a much brighter pallet now. Some of its seasonal delights include: Spring - camellias, magnolias, daffodils and bluebells. Summer - Japanese irises and day lilies. Autumn - guelder rose, rowan and spindle trees loaded with berries and leaves on the acer trees are turning red. Winter - camellias and rhododendron, mahonia, winter-flowering heathers and stinking hellebore. For drivers the Broomfield Hill car park is closest. If on foot, it's best to enter the park at Ladderstile Gate where there is a big map to direct you!

I am now a member of the selected group that know of Isabella Plantation and I am proud of it! :)…read more I have been going to Richmond Park for years and I love every bit of it. But I now love it even more! Isabella Plantation is quite a large garden secluded from the rest of the park by a wooden fence but set right in it. It has a magnificent collection of colourful flowers, and a stream that runs right through it. It also has three ponds and a great selection of trees too. It is charming, peaceful, secret and beautiful. Don't miss it if you go to Richmond Park. But don't stay long, I wouldn't want it to start getting crowded ;)

Cannizaro Park is one of Wimbledon's hidden gems. Located a short distance from Wimbledon village,…read moreit is accessed via a short pathway to the side of Cannizzaro House (now a hotel), off West Side Common. The park was originally part of the garden belonging to the house. These were first developed in the 18th century, and between 1785 and 1806, were the residence of the first Viscount Melville, when they were visited by George III and William Pitt the Younger. The house and park take their name from one of the 19th century owners, the Sicilian Francis Platamone. He became the Duke of Cannizzaro, and although he left his wife to return to Italy in 1832, she remained in the house and acquired his title, albeit dropping one of the 'z's. The gardens as we see them now reflect work undertaken by the final owners in the 1940s, and were acquired by Wimbledon Borough Council in 1947. They are now under the care of Merton Borough Council. A "friends group" helps to maintain the garden. The garden itself includes a large lawn at the front of the house, a formal sunken garden, a substantial Arboretum, a small lake, and a woodland walk. It is well known for its displays of bluebells, rhododendrons, Azaleas and camellias in Spring. The gardens are free to enter, and are a lovely place to stroll and wander on a sunny Spring or summer's day.

Met a friend in Wimbledon and we went for a walk in Cannizaro Park - where we got to see a…read morebeautiful aviary and gorgeous trees. This is a sweet little park and I wish I had time to hang out here for an afternoon - it's so different from little parks in London, more rural and "wild" - very enjoyable. Highly recommend bringing a book and a blanket to hang out and enjoy this space if you need an escape from the hustle and bustle.

Although the place is really cool, 2 weeks ago we went there again for some well deserved fun in…read morethe sun. Unfortunately, my kid and his friends found a dead bird in the middle of the playground. He was very intrigued and he even picked it up and was swinging the stinky thing around to show me. I know....don't ask... Obviously, I was mortified!! I told the staff about what happened and they weren't very surprised but they said they'll clean it up. Last week we went again and guess what, the bird was still there!! Totally unacceptable! The staff totally ignored that bird, the smell (ugh) or the fact that kids are playing next to a health hazard.

This is the best place to bring your kids on their school holidays! The playground is a charity…read morewhich provides loads of activites in areas such as arts and crafts and cooking. I think this is better for younger kids in your family - the lovely staff here will make them feel so welcome! The outside is very bright and colourful - there are sandpits and lots of play equipment. I think that it's restricted to children who live in the borough, as you have to register to use the park, but if there's room they welcome others! My friend's children love this place and I always enjoy bringing them here!