Top Rated Parks to Visit in Muswell Hill

"One of London's largest Royal Parks, Hyde Park is home to the vast Serpentine Lake (which you can swim in), the majestic Wellington Arch and even a hidden pet cemetery. With 350 acres to explore, you're spoilt for choice when it comes to picnic spots, and there are three cafes (including a stingray-shaped one) where you can replenish your supplies. Other points of interest include the Diana Memorial Fountain, the Hyde Park Rose Garden, and the Achilles statue, which actor Laurence Olivier once called "the best arse in London"."

"Established in 1536 by Henry VIII, Hyde Park is one of London’s largest green spaces, with more than 4,000 trees, vibrant flower gardens and a large meadow which plays host to many public concerts and celebrations. Check out the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, enjoy a bite in the royal park’s lakeside restaurants, or rent a row boat for a leisurely paddle on the Serpentine. Here are nine secrets no one knew about Princess Diana until after her death."

"When a park is home to a few Princes and a Duchess or two, you know it’s going to be good. As well as green spaces abundant enough to dodge the crowds, you’ll find historic monuments to explore, fountains to both splash about in and admire, myriad art installations, and free exhibitions at the Serpentine Gallery a short walk away from its namesake lake. Now that’s a walk in the park."

"Richmond Park can be found in the attractive South-West London town of Richmond. This is the largest of the Royal Parks in London encompassing various landscapes including woodlands, grasslands, ponds and even hills. The park also has an area of 700-year-old Oak trees and Isabella Plantation which is an organically designed woodland garden."

"Richmond Park is best known for its herds of deer, but it’s also home to many ancient trees and rare species. It’s one of the best Royal Parks to wander around at the weekend, but it’s also great for active families. It offers cycle routes (including an off-road trail), horse riding and a golf course."

"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 is a favorite for Londoners, a quiet oasis that provides the illusion of a countryside getaway within one of the world's busiest cities. This sprawling and irregularly shaped park is located north of the city center, just beyond The Regent's Park. Its best-known features are the three natural bathing ponds: one designated for males, another for females, and the third for anyone."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"According to Wikipedia, “Kew Gardens is the world’s largest collection of living plants”. From the exotic glasshouse gardens filled with succulents and tropical blooms to a stroll down to the Chinese Pagoda, there’s much to see and photograph. A great perk, if you’re a member, you can get to visit Kew before any of the tourists, which means you could almost have the place for yourself, to enjoy as you please."

"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."

"Named after a hospital for people suffering from leprosy, St James's is perhaps the most regal of all Royal Parks — home to both The Mall and the Horse Guards Parade, and flanked by Buckingham and St James's palaces. However, the real stars of the park have got to be  Isla, Tiffany and Gargi, the three pelicans who live here. Other attractions include vibrant flower beds, two cafes, and a possibly haunted statue of Queen Anne."

"Located in Westminster by Buckingham Palace, St James’ Park is 57 glorious acres of royal history, landmarks and gorgeous city lookouts. Enjoy the the vast lake and the seventeen resident species of birds from the comfort of an old fashioned stripy deckchair (boater hat optional). The Queen lives just up the road but you’re more likely to catch a glimpse of the squadron of pelicans (yes, really) that reside within the park."

"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 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."

"You will find a paddling pool and water splash area as well as a family enclosure. There is also a zip line, boating lake and playground, and a light railway."

"St George’s Gardens used to be a graveyard, but nowadays, the calm and tranquil green space is one of Bloomsbury’s most beloved parks. It’s one of the many green spaces in Bloomsbury, which is also known as the leafy neighbourhood of London, and offers seating areas ideal for scenic, city centre picnics."

"It may be surrounded by some of South London’s busiest roads, but damn it is beautiful. With BBQ areas, an outdoor gym and quiet hidden away leafy corners as well as an awesome lake you could almost forget you are in London when in Burgess Park."

"Located a stone’s throw away from the home of football, you can sit in or take out at what is now the world’s largest fast food chain. There’s five different types of bread, any number of different fillings, be it Italian meat, tuna, chicken tikka, steak or meatballs. Then there’s the salad, complete with jalapenos and olives, and the sauce."

"14/02/2021: tried this yesterday and sweet and sour king prawns were shocking the batter on the outside was liquid worst i have ever had - rice was below standard but then again you can tell what the place is like just by looking at it, it was my only option as my wife wanted a chinese and this was the only one open"

"Founded by two Italian friends, the pizzeria showcases the best of Italian flavours, coupled with the relaxed atmosphere of communal dining at Boxpark’s food hall. You can expect an expansive choice of toppings on the menu, from classic pairings to more adventurous combinations. Plus, choose from four different types of expertly perfected pizza dough — traditional dough, gluten-free, wholemeal, and even a black vegetable charcoal dough — all prepared by a unique 48-hour slow fermentation process."

"This café and coffee roasters in Holborn is all about quality coffee and building quality relationships with their suppliers. Whether it’s organic Mexican coffee from Oaxaca or beans gleaned from the highlands of Peru, everything that Catalyst roasts and serves in a filter coffee, espresso, and rich flat white is ethically sourced and made to the highest standards. Swing by to see what they’ve got on offer."

"Restaurants Coffeeshops Holborn. A mere ten minutes’ stroll from Leather Lane’s caffeine mecca, Catalyst is a serene and stripped-back Scandi-style drop-in with all-day appeal. Coffee-wise, the owners know their stuff, there’s a Diedrich roaster in the basement and the place is stuffed with barista gadgets."

"Located at 48 Grey’s Inn Road, Catalyst is a pretty epic place for coffee. Catalyst is one of the best places for coffee where you can actually chill out with friends. It’s not the kind of place that pressures you to leave the second you finish your brew."

"Restaurants Italian Holland Park. Born in Italy but now trading across London, cheery family-owned Unico is part gelateria, part caffè. If you fancy a luscious lick or two, there are 13 ‘classic’ and ‘gourmet’ flavours to choose from, plus vegan options and some guest stars (they’ve been known to whip up the odd batch of Vegemite gelato)."

"Ice Cream , Dessert"

"Layers of honey browned butter sponge with dulce de leche, whipped cream and Biscoff crumbs, it’s heavy and rich in flavour but so light and spongy in texture. 212 Balham High Rd, London SW12 9BS"

"I wonder how many of those souls queuing for hours to enter Westminster Abbey have ever broken away to venture inside this fascinating Westminster church. St Margaret’s Church Westminster is located in the churchyard of the Abbey,and is often called the ‘parish church of the House of Commons’. It is often frequented by politicians and parliamentarians, and the connection dates back to the 17th century when Puritan MPs started to worship there as they disapproved of the style of worship in Westminster Abbey."

"The parish church of Parliament is next to Westminster Abbey. Samuel Pepys got wed here and Sir Walter Raleigh is buried in the yard"

"The Waterlily House is the hottest and most humid of the houses at Kew and contains a large pond with varieties of water lily, surrounded by a display of economically important heat-loving plants. It closes during the winter months. It was built to house Victoria amazonica, the largest of the water lily family Nymphaeaceae."