Top Rated Parks to Visit in Blackfen

"Despite being the home of Winter Wonderland every year, Hyde park is not short on things to do in the summer. Here you can find the Serpentine, London’s oldest boating lake, where you can rent a boat or swim in if the weather allows. As well as that, there’s a rose garden and a meadow if you want some pretty views with your picnic."

"Hyde Park opened to the general public in 1637, and this was by order of King Charles, but it was not the reason why the park came into existence. In 1536, the park was acquired by Henry VIII, the first member of the royal family. The primary reason he acquired this large area of space was to turn it into a hunting ground."

"The great expanse of Hyde Park boasts a range of recreational activities, from swimming and boating on the Serpentine to browsing the Serpentine Galleries and visiting landmarks such as the Speaker’s Corner, Diana Princess of Wales Memorial and The Joy of Life fountains."

"Richmond Park, at almost 1000 hectares (2500 acres), is the largest Royal Park in London and is home to around 650 free roaming deer. The pastoral landscape of hills, woodlands, ponds, gardens and grasslands set amongst ancient trees offers a peaceful respite to visitors. The Park is designated as a National Nature Reserve (NNR), a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC)."

"Free-roaming red and fallow deer have been nibbling this rare grassland habitat into existence since at least 1637, when Charles I enclosed it. It’s London’s largest nature reserve, topped off with a protected view that cuts a line between ancient oaks to St Paul’s Cathedral, 10 miles distant. Away from the roads and cycle tracks (it’s great for a spin), few places in London feel so open and wild."

"Views of London from Richmond Park © Jon Reid visitlondon.com. Image courtesy of Jon Reid visitlondon.com. London looks great from a distance."

"Hampstead Heath offers stunning views over the city, but one could be forgiven for not noticing, as there's an awful lot to do there. If you aren't taking a dip in one of the ponds (there are single and mixed options) or the Parliament Hill Lido, you could be running circuits on the athletics track or visiting the Golders Hill zoo. For sheer childhood pleasure, though, the model boating pond is difficult to top (for God’s sake, don’t try to get in for a swim)."

"Get back to nature in Hampstead Heath: an ancient woodland and wild green space in the north of London. Climb Parliament Hill, which offers a breathtaking view of the London cityscape, and explore the heath’s various nature trails and playgrounds."

"For generations, Londoners have headed to Hampstead Heath to escape the dirt and noise of the city, and this unique 791-acre expanse…"

"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."

"Take a break from the hustle and bustle of London and retreat to the beautiful and relaxing Kew Gardens. This green oasis in southwest London is believed to be the largest and most diverse botanical garden on earth. You can book single visits online, or if you’re a local, you might like to consider becoming a member for free entry year-round."

"Thanks to this park’s central location, you can enjoy fab views of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the London Eye and Horse Guards Parade from The Blue Bridge. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, including the park’s famous pelicans. COVID-19 UPDATE: St James’s Park is currently open, but people must respect social distancing rules."

"Aside from viewing the gorgeous estate located on the east end of St. James’s Park, visitors to Buckingham Palace can view the Changing of the Guard, one of the most quintessentially British traditions."

"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?"

"A lovely park featuring some great design that is particularly very well maintained, the Barham Park is one of the best things to do in Wembley especially in the evenings. There is a lot of space for visitors to enjoy relaxing strolls and even play sport like football and cricket. Local fitness enthusiasts especially visit the park owing to the ...Read more"

"In contrast to the West End's grand aristocratic townhouses, this charming museum is devoted to the life of the city's middle class over…"

"Tucked away within Harrods, dishes at this Knightsbridge restaurant aren't cheap (the signature Beijing duck is £96 for the whole or £56 for half), but we all need to spoil ourselves once in a while. And here's an uplifting surprise - excellent inflation-beating cocktails, including an exquisite lychee Chai Wu martini. Plus you can go straight from a decadent lunch to a luxury shopping spree, which might just be the perfect afternoon."

"At New Year, one of the most popular Chinese phrases is: “Zhù jíxīng gāo zhào!. ” Now most of you (hello GQ China readers) will know what that means, but for those who need a little help with your conversational Mandarin, it generally translates as: “May you come into a good fortune!. ” It’s a decent, reliable all-round expression to use, but especially pertinent if you rock up to Chai Wu on the 5th Floor at Harrods."

"Ping Pong serves a hearty selection of Dim Sum and assorted Chinese food in London. The spacious bar encourages sharing among friends, while the selection of Chinese teas and cocktails will help the evening breeze along. And if the mixed drinks strike a particular chord, why not get yourself involved in one of their cocktail masterclasses?"

"Asian food is often meat-heavy, but this dim sum restaurant may just surprise you. Head on down to Ping Pong as they boast one of the best vegan menus in London, packed with spicy vegetable dumplings and mushroom buns, just have a gander through the menu to find 'em."

"If you're looking for vegetarian friendly dim sum in London, you've more than come to the right place. Join Ping Pong for favourites the likes of their spicy vegetable dumpling, their potato and edamame cake and their spinach and mushroom dumpling."

"Restaurants Chinese Paddington. Don’t let the traffic mayhem and less-than-lovely tower blocks around Paddington station put you off coming to Pearl Liang: its sophisticated, blossom-decorated dining room and moodily lit cocktail bar are real lookers. And the mainly Cantonese menu rarely disappoints – especially the choice of exquisite dim sum (visit during the day for the full selection)."

"From stouts to the iconic Punk IPA, BrewDog is a church to all things hop-based. First founded in Scotland, it hasn't taken long for the craft beer temple to take over the world, with plenty of keg lines and guest ales on offer. Discover one of their London locations to see what all the fuss is about."

"TwickenhamThe oldest of London’s indie microbreweries, Twickenham Fine Ales has many faces. Day to day it supplies pubs, including its own watering hole The Rifleman, which is a 10-minute walk away and has an outside patio with tables, umbrellas and heaters. But when the Harlequins are playing, the brewery opens for pre-match drinks and barbecues using organic meat from the neighbouring butcher."

"Thanks to this park’s central location, you can enjoy fab views of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the London Eye and Horse Guards Parade from The Blue Bridge. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, including the park’s famous pelicans. COVID-19 UPDATE: St James’s Park is currently open, but people must respect social distancing rules."

"Aside from viewing the gorgeous estate located on the east end of St. James’s Park, visitors to Buckingham Palace can view the Changing of the Guard, one of the most quintessentially British traditions."

"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?"

"The Chislehurst Caves is mainly a tourist attraction, but it did play an important role in the history of London. Up until the 19th century the caves were intensely used for mining but during the two World Wars, they had a different purpose. It was used as an ammunition depot in WWI, air raid shelter for about 15 thousand inhabitants, an emergency hospital and some sections were converted to a chapel."