Best Nature and Wildlife Areas in East Ham

"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 been 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."

"One of the more natural and untamed parks in London, Hamstead Heath is 320 hectares of parklands with stunning views over London from the top of Parliament Hill."

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"The Old Deer Park today is an important site for sport and events. The Pools on the Park Complex offers indoor and outdoor pools plus a gym. There are facilities for football, cricket, rugby, an outdoor gym and both hard and grass tennis courts."

"Full of rare and unusual trees and shrubs, the Isabella Plantation is a beautiful spot set in the depths of Richmond Park. It’s a green space for most of the year, but in April & May, the azaleas bloom and Isabella Plantation becomes a perfect pink paradise. COVID-19 UPDATE: Isabella Plantation is currently closed to the public."

"This small Victorian woodland plantation was planted in the 1830s, but not opened to the public until 1953. It’s famed for its evergreen azaleas, which are best viewed in late April or early May. The garden includes the National Collection of Wilson 50 Kurume Azaleas, as well as other rare and unusual shrubs and trees."

"One of Europe’s largest inland wetland projects, this 42-hectare centre run by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust was transformed from four Victorian reservoirs in 2000 and attracts some 140 species of bird, as well as frogs, butterflies, dragonflies and lizards, plus a thriving colony of watervoles. The glass-fronted observatory affords panoramic views over the lakes, while meandering paths and boardwalks lead visitors through the watery habitats of black swans, Bewick's swans, geese, red-crested pochards, sand martins, coots, bitterns, herons and kingfishers."

"Voted in 2012 as Britain’s Favourite Natural Reserve, WWT London Wetland Centre is an oasis of natural wildlife placed right in the heart of London. Managed by Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, this idyllic wetland reserve is located in a loop of the Thames and occupies more than 100 acres of land. Home for a significant number of unique species of birds, insects, amphibians and other wildlife representatives, the Wetland Centre represents a real natural wonder."

"Just ten minutes from Hammersmith, you'll get lost in the London Wetland Centre and its lakes, ponds and gardens. Aside from the daily guided tours, you can meet the otters, feed the birds, or take part in a host of family activities such as pond dipping and nature walks."

"This farm is little further out of London, but a whole day of adventure and fun can be enjoyed here, thanks to a huge array of facilities, besides the friendly animals. There’s indoor soft play at the Bundle Barn, an alpine toboggan run, Dino Dig and Splash play area and an adventure playground. Unlike most of the other city farms in London listed, there is a small entry price for this one (£10) but this includes entry to all indoor and outdoor play areas, activities, animals, bird shows and a tractor ride to the dairy farm."

"A post shared by Georgiebd (@georgie.bd) on May 26, 2018 at 10:23am PDT. Cycle along the paths or take a stroll at Lee Valley Regional Park. Stretching 42km (26 miles) along the river Lee, past Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and up to Ware in Hertfordshire, there is plenty of opportunity to spot wildlife, relax or play."

"Climbing the O2 is an easy, fun outdoor challenge without the need for ice axe or crampons says Kirstie Pelling from The Family Adventure Project. The action takes place on a bouncy walkway at the 02 dome in Greenwich. You clip and unclip yourself all the way up so there’s lots to keep the children entertained."

"Certainly one of the most unique ways to see London, this thrilling urban expedition takes you on a journey across the giant dome of…"

"The Michelin starred restaurant is the jewel of Moorgate’s South Place Hotel, thanks to the exquisite touch of Executive Chef, Gary Foulkes. Foulkes’ way with fish and seafood is one of the best you’ll find in the capital, from the Japanese take on turbot – it’s served with Japanese mushrooms, salsola and an unami-fuelled bonito dashi to the tongue tingling raw Orkney scallops served with blood orange, citrus yoghurt and Greek basil. The tasting menu is a must-try for any special occasions and did we mention the restaurant has a gorgeous sweeping terrace too?"

"Restaurants British Moorgate. Bordered by lavender bushes and olive trees, Michelin-starred Angler’s chic outdoor terrace has a retractable roof that shields diners from summer rain and winter chills. Sip premium cocktails while scoffing big-money seafood snacks – Porthilly oysters, Cornish sea-bass tartare, Alaskan king crab cromesquis."

"The Provence-inspired terrace and adjoining bar at Angler, atop the South Place Hotel in Moorgate, is a City of London sanctuary. Relaxed and refined, with great cocktails and bubbles, the terrace is the extension of a fish-focused, Michelin-starred restaurant that is one of London’s hidden gems. South Place Hotel, 3 South Pl, London , United Kingdom"

"A post shared by London Restaurant Interiors 🇬🇧 (@resturantsoflondon) on Jul 4, 2019 at 11:11am PDT. A cosy and slightly more casual seafood restaurant than its sibling nextdoor, J Sheekey Atlantic Bar is perfect for a first date with a seafood lover. Don't be shellfish and share a platter, or to really impress, ask for the off-menu dessert (frozen berries and white chocolate)."

"It’s a piece of prime gastronomic real estate, but M&Ms aside, there isn’t much to eat in Leicester Square itself. A claw-cracker’s throw from the neon, though, is some of London’s best seafood, courtesy of J."

"Restaurants British Covent Garden"

"Restaurants Contemporary European Tower Bridge. The jazzy soundtrack, cool interior, sizzling steaks and sustainably sourced fish might scream ‘grown-up’ but this London Bridge offshoot of Brighton’s Coal Shed also does the business for kids, with a mini menu that’s free for under-sevens before 7pm. Otherwise, £10 pays for a minute steak, grilled fish and chips or mac ‘n’ cheese, plus doughnuts or ice cream to finish."

"Although not solely a fish restaurant (pun both intended and regretted) and despite its steakhouse aesthetics, The Coal Shed has plenty to lure in the serious lover of seafood. Starters include market oysters, chalkstream trout, grilled gurnard fillet and scallops in shell. While whole black bream and roasted sussex cod feature on the main course menu."

"Offering the fresh, bold flavours typical of a Yotam Ottolenghi restaurant but with an unlikely marble and gold interior, Nopi in Soho is a sophisticated spot for weekend brunch, which is served until 11:30 on Saturday and Sunday. Once you’ve navigated yourself out of the restaurant’s striking mirror maze bathrooms (they’re worthy of a visit alone), tuck into dishes such as Shakshuka-braised eggs with piquante tomato sauce and smoked labneh, brown butter egg salad, and chickpea & herb pancake with rose harrisa tempeh and courgette salad. 21-22 Warwick Street, W1B, ottolenghi.co.uk"

"As a recent Desert Island Discs appearance confirmed, the Israeli-born chef is now at national treasure status in the UK, thanks to his service to making vegetables great again. Back in 2002, he made salads a thing of desire with then mostly unheard-of Middle Eastern ingredients at his small Ottolenghi deli in Notting Hill. He then went on to expand his empire with seven cookbooks and four more restaurants, with our favourite being Nopi, a grown-up brasserie in Soho."

"Ayllu is not only one of the best places to eat sushi in London, but it also celebrates the very best in modern Nikkei cuisine. Against a backdrop of stylish furnishings and dimmed lightning, you can tuck into stunning fusion small plates celebrating South American and Asian flavours."