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!

Adding to the win column that Holland Park has racked up, you shouldn't miss Kyoto. Slow down to…read moreexamine everything: there are so many intricacies that it's worth a second time around on this or a repeat trip. Try not to drop your phone into the pond along the journey (no I didn't) as you'll want to capture so many unique views. We're fortunate to be a walk away to return often. I think it's a good idea to go clockwise if you don't want any condemning stares (don't worry nobody will say anything they're all too polite). Say hello to the birds hanging out as well, or to me, the one without the condemning stare if you walk counterclockwise.

Now it makes perfect sense for a Japanese-American to gravitate toward a Japanese garden when…read moretaking a trip abroad, don't you think? Gives me a touch of the motherland. Well, Jamie W and I ventured over to Kensington to spend the day at the parks starting with the 55-acre Holland Park, a charming oasis of greenery. The main lure if you ask me (of course) was this oasis within the oasis It was a gift to London from the city of Kyoto back in 1972. Neither the cherry blossoms nor the irises were in bloom, but the design aesthetic still entranced with ponds, peacocks (photo: https://yelp.to/6qYhFeQHNi), lanterns, and quite a spectacular waterfall considering it was manmade (photo: https://yelp.to/t1m2npR4tC). Quite tranquil and lovely. RELATED - Exploring London? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3zFACrx

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.

There's just something about this park that sticks close to my heart- in a good way. It's super…read morespacious, has plenty to offer, and is quite lovely all throughout the year. No matter which entrance you come through, there will be plenty to see- from gardens to playgrounds, walkways to interesting exercise equipment that doesn't appear to be at first glance, and even a tennis court and BMX cycling course. There are lovely views of the city, plenty of quiet spots with benches overlooking peaceful vistas, and lovely wooded spots where you can spread a blanket and chill under a tree at your leisure. It's also a pet-friendly park, and you'll see plenty of dogs and their owners out for a lovely walk in the park on any given day; just make sure to clean up after them if they drop something on the way... Out of all the parks in London, this is definitely in my Top 5.

What beautiful fireworks! I can't believe that Lambeth put…read moreon a magnificent 30 minute display for FREE! So fantastic and really made my day. Amazing amazing amazing, and not to be missed. One word... Wow!

Beautiful lake spread through the center is St James's Park. We crossed over the bridge here and…read moreviewed many different birds paddling by. Terrific views all around and on a nice day you can spot the London Eye in the distance. You can also find a fountain in the lake and an old cottage chalet. Wonderful British charm.

We stayed at London Marriott Hotel County Hall,. We took a…read morelovely stroll through St James's Park Lake to reach Buckingham Palace to witness the changing of the guards.

A very nice park between the Reading Museum and the Abbey Ruins…read more The site and the Abbey Ruins next door have cultural significance to the area dating back to the 12th century. To get the most out of your visit, I would recommend stopping by the Reading Museum first to read about how the park and ruins fit into Reading's history. The park is a delightful urban oasis located right next to the Abbey Ruins and just about a 5-minute walk to the Reading Museum. It really is a charming green space located in the heart of Reading, offering a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. The park boasts beautifully landscaped gardens, a picturesque pond, and historical features like the famous Maiwand Lion statue. When we visited, it had well-maintained paths that made it a pleasant spot for leisurely strolls. Its historical resonance adds a unique touch to the park's ambiance. If you are interested in a nice place to go to relax or explore, this could be it. The pathways are wide and the grounds are well-kept and pretty. For more specific details and visitor reviews, you can check out local travel websites or the official Reading Borough Council website.

I am sorry to disagree with a fellow Yelper, but David is missing the point of Reading. It's not…read moretrying to be elegant or subtle, relaxing or picturesque. It will never be London or Oxford. It's a city where people live and love, where businesses are based and where children run and play. The elegance is there, you just have to look for it. I've been living here for 9 months now and I've managed to find it in several places, including this one. Forbury Gardens is one of the spots carved out from the hustle-and-bustle. Sure, the buses and traffic trundles past on Forbury Road (aka A329), but that's over there. Outside. Away from the grass and the benches and the peace of a secluded and pretty park. There is a lovely gazebo in the center and the Forbury Band Concert Season is held on Sundays during the summer. Whether you're here for the music or just the peace, bring a picnic! The groundskeepers do a fine job of keeping the gravel level and the litter picked up. As you do take your time and relax, enjoy the Forbury Lion aka the Maiwand Lion, one of the largest cast iron lions in the UK. It's there to commemorate the deaths of 329 soldiers in Afghanistan. No, not the current war. The one back between 1878 and 1880, according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maiwand_Lion.

Jurassic Kingdom Exhibition…read more My first tip, a big one, is arrive early. We arrived at 10.30 am to find the car park in Osterley Park filling up quickly. We had a few hours of wandering amongst the exhibits without be pushed from pillar to post. When we left, at 1.30 pm the queues at the entrance were long and the carpark almost full. Warning over, the reasons for this overcrowding will be explained in the following review. We were overwhelmed by this exhibit. Initially we wondered if it would be interesting for we 'oldies' and wondered where we could hire a couple of ankle-biters so we would not feel out of place. Our children being of the older age group. Even my grandchildren are 18+. However, those worries disappeared. Seeing those life size animatronic dinosaurs was, I hate the word, awesome. It was great seeing the reaction of the smaller members of each family. They were enthralled. An easy, well signposted, walk around with ample 'educational' signage at each model. We learned that the names had changed over our lifetime. Very interesting to see where in the world, as we know it now, each dinosaur was found. Half way round there was a refreshment area selling hot dogs, noodles, drinks etc etc. A very welcome break for a coke. But carrying on to see more of those wonderful 'models', I was getting to the point of thinking of them being real (think it was the sun and no hat, Sunday was a hot day). At the end there, again, was a watering area and we decided to something to eat. I decided to treat my partner to an al fresco meal. Least I could do. We sat on the grass eating our burgers LOL. I was pleasantly surprised at the prices. Not a fiddle for the captive audience but reasonable prices. Guys, this exhibition will be travelling the UK. Well worth a visit, especially if you have young ones. Prices are reasonable especially the family tickets. Make an effort but, REMEMBER, go early to avoid the rush and enjoy the exhibition. www.lovepopupslondon.com #lovepopupslondon www.jurassickingdom.uk

Osterley Park and House is a National Trust historic property situated near Isleworth about 30mins…read moreaway from Heathrow airport. This fantastic (originally Elizabethan) Georgian House and garden stand in a large parkland. The House was refurbished by the architect Robert Adam in the middle of the 18th Century and claims to be one of the finest examples of his work in the United Kingdom. The house still has original furniture, really amazing ceilings, objects d'art from China and Japan, a fine collection of paintings from the Venetian school. You can walk through the meadow at will or use the paths that have been mown through it and see butterflies, grasshoppers, beetles, etc.. it is very relaxing and particularly enjoyable on a sunny day, There is also a large area of parkland with a lake and some marvellous old trees. They have a cafe and shop onsite also. There is a small admission fee to see the house and the gardens.

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.