Top Rated Parks to Visit in Epping

"It would be wrong to omit Hyde Park from a list of London’s most beautiful and prominent green spaces. The Grade I listed 350-acre royal park is the biggest in London, renowned as the city’s ‘green lung’, and hosts an array of major annual events, from Winter Wonderland to music festivals such as British Summer Time Hyde Park. Visit the memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales, picnic in the prepossessing Rose Garden (post lockdown), or go swimming in the Serpentine Lido, which opens from June to early September."

"Hyde Park – Covering 350 acres, Hyde Park is visited by millions of visitors and Londoners each year. There are a number of famous landmarks within the park including Serpentine Lake where you can hire a row boat, Speakers’ Corner and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain along with countless statues. Enjoy a coffee or bite to eat from one of the two cafes on the lake or just get lost walking around the miles and miles of pathways."

"If you have absolutely no knowledge of London and are unable to find England on a map, you’ve probably still heard of Hyde Park. Being the most famous of London’s parks, it’s arguably the most touristy, but you won't see anyone it's huge. Hyde Park stretches across 350 acres of royal expanse, where visitors can enjoy a spot of boating, tennis and even horse riding."

"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."

"From wonderful walking trails to taking a dip in the bathing ponds, there is plenty to do and enjoy at Hampstead Heath. Branded ‘an island of beautiful countryside’, you’ll never get tired of visiting this thriving inner city escape."

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

"Once voted the nation's favourite park, Victoria Park is the largest green space in Tower Hamlets, with amenities including a boating lake, two cafes, a skate park and a large playground. The flower-strewn Old English Garden is a particular highlight, as are the canine statues that guard the park gates. Make sure you drop into the phenomenal People's Park Tavern while you're there."

"Definitely one of East London’s finest green areas, Victoria Park combines wide open green space, a pretty epic playground, a killer cafe (brunch is highly recommended), hidden pagodas and a lake for the peddle boat enthusiasts out there. A great walk for kids and adults alike, Victoria park is one of the best parks in London to visit."

"Victoria Park isn’t the quietest of spots (it’s known as the People’s Park and is one of the most popular outdoor spaces in London), but it has lots to offer. Whether you fancy perusing it’s variety of gardens and lakes or taking a walk around the Victoria Park Market on a Sunday, there’s something for everyone to enjoy."

"Springfield Park may not be well known but that’s exactly why we love it. Nestled in between Clapton and Walthamstow, the park was originally a combination of grounds from three private houses (only the White House is still standing). Now it’s got cricket, tennis and athletics facilities and is right on the edge of the River Lea."

"Peddling the US ‘roadside burger’ experience in stripped-back diner surrounds, Shake Shack has all the stateside trappings – from buzzers announcing when your food’s ready to drive-by style hatches for picking up your full tray. Just add hot dogs, frozen custard ice cream and thick shakes. Flagship site: 24 Market Building, The Piazza, WC2E 8RD"

"From humble beginnings as a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park, Shake Shack has cemented itself as an international household name. Today London has seven branches and serves some seriously good burgers, fries and shakes. Not only do they serve mouthwatering hot dogs, the shack serves another kind of dog – of the canine variety."

"Mooshies spread including coleslaw, kinda loaded sharing nachos, cheese sticks and burgers. Mooshies 'Fillet-Om-Phish' burger. 'The Jerk' burger at Mooshies"

"Combining Indian street food and easy-to-eat formats, Wrapchic in London Designer allows you to build your own dish with an abundance of fresh veggie and vegan options. Packed full of flavor, spices and the best ingredients, you’ll keep going back for more (sorry!)."

"Endo Kazutoshi has opened a more laid-back, still pristinely wood-panellled neighbourhood ode to the craft of sushi in Westbourne Grove. The Sumi terrace is open for al fresco dining, offering two chirashi boxes with fatty tuna and caviar as optional add-ons."

"If the name sounds familiar, it's because he's the man behind Endo at Rotunda, the very well rated high-end sushi restaurant with a view in White City."

"With its promise of ‘health and happiness’ boxes and its ‘fresh not fried’ ethos, Itsu epitomises Asian-themed clean fast food. It was a colour-coded conveyor-belt pioneer, but sushi is just one of its ‘eat beautiful’ star turns – don’t miss the ‘potsu’ pots, fusion gyoza and rice bowls. Flagship site: 47 King’s Road, SW3 4NB"

"Restaurants Chinese Soho. The original of a Sichuan gang that also includes BaoziInn, Barshu is a refreshing change from Chinatown’s mostly Cantonese restaurants. Come here for prairie tripe, fragrant and hot pig’s trotters, stir-fried chicken gizzards with pickled chilli and other fiery tongue-tinglers – just remember to have plenty of soothing tea on tap."

"Chinatown, like the indomitable village in Asterix, has largely held out against the culinary renaissance that has transformed the capital into the roiling galaxy of restaurants, tasting rooms and trend-infused “concepts” that it is today. To go into Soho, to those identikit MSG joints feels like a throwback to the Dark Ages. Leave it to the tourists, right?"

"You might think Bar Shu – adorned with slatted blinds, latticed woodwork and tasselled lanterns – was a sweet-and-sour honeytrap for Soho tourists; but you'd be missing out on possibly the best Sichuan food in... Top ChoiceBritish in East London"

"A post shared by 𝔈𝔯𝔦𝔫 𝔍𝔢𝔞𝔫 (@e.jrey) on Jun 22, 2015 at 12:51am PDT. Savour comforting pub fare alongside more exquisite dishes at this vegetarian-friendly pub in Soho. The signature vegan tofu fish and chips makes the journey to Norman's Coach & Horses worth the trip alone; while there are also alcoholic beverages labelled on the menu."