Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Istead Rise

"The largest of London’s Royal Parks and one of the most important places in the country for wildlife conservation, spawling Richmond Park covers an area of 2,500 acres on the edge of the capital and is one of the best places to escape the noise of the city and spend a day out in London for free. You can take a long walk through the lush woodlands and around the numerous ponds, cycle along the off-road Tamsin Trail, spot the park’s famous deer and abundance of other wildlife, and climb to the top of King Henry’s Mound for views back over central London."

"Renowned for its unrefined woodland gardens and deer herds, Richmond Park boasts a rich history (including notable royal connections dating back to Edward’s reign in 1272), ancient trees, historic buildings and vast amounts of wildlife – the park is in fact a national nature reserve."

"A little further afield but worth the trip is Richmond Park. London’s largest park is home to deer and various other wildlife, woodlands, hills, trails for riding and walking and large open fields."

"The Heath is only four miles from Trafalgar Square and has about 800 acres of lovely countryside. It is rich in flora and fauna, is enjoyed by thousands and is within easy reach of millions!. The landscape has woodland, meadows, heathland and many ponds along its valleys and features such as hedgerows and ancient trees provide links with the past.Kingfishers, reed warblers and all three species of British woodpecker breed, over 300 species of fungi have grown here and many-species of bats are here."

"This enormous, ancient parkland is one of the best places to escape the city while at the same time catching an amazing view of it: the vista from Parliament Hill, which forms the southeast part of Hampstead Heath, is so impressive it’s actually protected by law. Elsewhere in the park you’ll find a zoo, three swimming ponds (nominal charge, which is often ignored) and plenty of quiet spots for a back-to-nature-in-the-heart-of-London picnic."

"Elevate your London perspective – Hampstead Heath is one of the best places in London to see the city skyline. In fact, the view from Parliament Hill in the south-east corner of the park is protected by law. Make the hike up the 322-foot (98-metre) hill and you'll be rewarded with views of Canary Wharf, St Paul's Cathedral and many more top London sights."

"Amazing Kew Gardens in the southwest neighbourhood of Kew is one of London’s most picturesque parks; 132 hectares of gardens and botanical glasshouses that that house the world’s most diverse collection of living plants. Kew Gardens was founded in 1840 and is today London’s largest UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with beautiful glasshouses, including the iconic Palm House and its exotic rainforest. There’s a magical children’s garden, the fantastic Treetop Walkway that soars into the tree canopy at a height of 18 metres, and Kew Palace, the former summer residence of King George III."

"In 1759 botanists began rummaging around the world for specimens to plant in the 3-hectare Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. They never stopped collecting, and the gardens, which have bloomed to 121 hectares, provide the most comprehensive botanical collection on earth (including the world's largest collection of orchids). A Unesco World Heritage Site, the gardens can easily devour a day's exploration; for those pressed for time, the Kew Explorer hop-on/hop-off road train takes in the main sights."

"12 km from city center 9 out of 40 places to visit in London. A World Heritage Site, London’s Kew Gardens is famous for its sprawling landscape and an impressive collection of flora and fauna. It is home to the world’s most diverse and enchanting species of flora, spread over 121 hectares, and in existence for more than 250 years."

"This is a well-known park in Westminster, central London and it’s a great pit stop for a picnic lunch if you’re tired after a morning of sightseeing around the area. A sunny day here is a day well spent and the playground is sure to please children from toddlers to under-eights thanks to its sand, swings and climbing areas."

"If visiting Buckingham palace or taking a jaunt through central London, St James's Park is the perfect rest stop. Stunning lakes which home many a duck and beautiful gardens, what more could you want?"

"I’ve always felt torn between the two, and I’ve been incredibly grateful for London’s parks lately. It’s so nice to get a nature fix even while being confined to the city."

"The paddling pool for children and the enclosed play area is available to the kids. Parents can enjoy the cafe, tweens or teens the tennis courts and netball/basketball facilities."

"Doing for French brasserie food what its stablemate Strada did for trattoria-style Italian cuisine, Côte mixes smart, glossy interiors with a menu of pure-bred bourgeois classics from moules marinière to steak frites. ‘Formule’ breakfasts, ‘plats rapides’ and a thoroughly Francophile drinks list complete the picture. Flagship site: 8 Wimbledon High Street, SW19 5DX"

"Eggslut opened their first London restaurant in Notting Hill and it was a huge hit. This sees them expanding to Fitzrovia where they'll be serving up more of their eggy buns to Londoners."

"Mark Hix’s plush and moody Brewer Street restaurant wouldn’t be the first place that would come to mind to take a child. But given the chef himself has campaigned for better food in restaurants for children, it’s actually rather apt. It’s not the cheapest restaurant in town, most items on the children's menu cost around £7, but there is a 'kids under 10 eat free' special that pops up on a regular basis."

"Though it's unlikely to spring to mind immediately, Mark Hix’s Soho is a very welcoming to families dining in London. The regular menu is packed with fantastic seafood and great steaks and the hearty kids’ menu is full of great options too, meaning no compromise is necessary for parents and children alike. Well worth a try the next time you’re eating out."

"Head inside Tramshed in East London and you’ll be whisked away into a world of Damien Hurst art, delicious food and an intimate gallery downstairs all created by the London-based chef, Mark Hix. Their menu is meat-heavy but they do have a vegetarian menu, too. Make sure to try their ‘bang bang’ chicken and their ‘cock and bull’ croquettes."

"If you’re nuts for Nutella, celebrate with us and pop in for a Cronutella!. #bakednotfried #donut #croissantdonut #happydays #donuts #food #foodie #foodporn #doughnuts #donut #yummy #chocolate #dessert #delicious #dumdumdiaries #donutresist #nutella #nutelladay. A post shared by Dum Dum Donuts, W1 (@dumdumdonuts.w1) on Feb 5, 2019 at 9:01am PST"

"Dum Dum Donutterie is the place to head if you like your doughnuts baked, not fried. The artisan doughnut shop has become renowned for their ‘cro’ doughnuts, a croissant and doughnut crossover, and rightly so, they’re blooming delicious!. It seems we aren’t the only lot obsessed with their treats because they often sell out on the daily."

"Introducing the 'Cro Nutella, Galaxy and Choc Berry' from @dumdumdoughnuts 🙌 – Find them in Unit 31 pic.twitter.com/cwwW0vlCWx. — BOXPARK SHOREDITCH (@boxpark) October 19, 2020. Location: Unit 31, Box Park, Shoreditch."