Top Rated Parks to Visit in Swiss Cottage

"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 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."

"Escape to the great outdoors in Richmond Park with its wide open spaces, grasslands and deer herds, just a stone’s throw from central London. The park is a top UK site for ancient trees and supports a range of rare species including fungi, birds, beetles, bats, grasses and wildflowers. Discover the Isabella Plantation woodland gardens, refuel at Pembroke Lodge tea rooms and enjoy distant views of St Paul’s Cathedral from King Henry’s Mound."

"It was very close to Richmond Park but also a perfect spot to easily get anywhere in and around London. There are always deers, majestic stags, and also patches of forest where we love walking through. We loved shooting quite a few engagement sessions in the park, so we got to see the forest changing colors each season and also at different times of the day."

"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."

"#sky #hill #earlymorning #goodmorning #lovetheheath #earlymorning #sunrise #spring #walk #longwalk #hampsteadheath #theheath #hampstead #love #london #staystrong #lockdown #socialdistancing. A post shared by Junho Kim (@junbug_london) on May 26, 2020 at 10:32pm PDT. Escape the hustle and bustle of central London a mere four miles away inHampstead Heath."

"Huge and sprawling with incredible views, woodlands and open air swimming ponds!. The perfect park for a winter wander, a place to watch the fireworks in London or picnic in the sun and a swim for the brave."

"I may be biased because I live very near here but I believe beautiful Kew is the best area to stay in London and Kew Gardens is one of the best attractions here. Kew Gardens are 121 hectares of beautiful gardens and botanical glasshouses located between Richmond and Kew (in southwest London). The gardens are on a mission not only to be beautiful (which they are) but to contribute to research and nurturing of the plant kingdom."

"Ok, it’s not technically a park, but it most definitely is one of London’s foremost green spaces. Speaking of technicalities, its proper title is actually Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, but when did anyone last call it that?. However you refer to it, Kew is a glorious day out, and with 300 acres and 50,000 plants, you could go every week of the year and discover something new every time."

"Visiting the Kew Garden is always a very good surprise, I have been in 2 times in the royal gardens at different times of the year. On my first visit, it was with a couple of dear friends that helped me a bum here in the land of the Queen when I arrived. We went in August 2014, so the trees were heavy with leaves, all very green and a very pleasant temperature."

"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."

"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."

"There is a story that, many years ago, a royal once enquired of a courtier how much it would cost to close St. James's Park 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."

"The Centre for Wildlife Gardening in Peckham, south London is an idyllic wildlife haven tucked away in a quiet residential street. There are lots of habitats including four ponds, a chalk bank, wildflower meadow, woodland copse, herb garden and a mini beast hotel. Visit throughout the year for regular family friendly events such as Nature Tots, arts and crafts and storytelling – check out the website for more info."

"Nestled in Battersea Park, this Children’s Zoo may not exactly be big, but that’s part of its charm. They house a range of mammals, reptiles and birds, from farm to smaller exotics animals. With various feeding times, picnic and play areas and children’s rides, this zoo is especially good for the little ones."

"Battersea Park Children's Zoo is home to a host of farmyard animals, flamingos, otters and monkeys. Battersea Park, London, SW11 4NJ. Tube: Sloane Square Station"

"Sandwiches Lunch Low delivery fee"

"An award-winning bottle shop and taproom on Brick Lane, Kill The Cat is a must for lovers of craft beer in London. Head to the East London location for the chance to sample sips from their extensive selection of brews, complete with snacks and slick interiors."

"A post shared by Hackney Church Brew Co. (@hackneychurchbrewco). It’s worth heading down to Hackney Church Brew Co. just for the beauty of the industrial building. But while you’re there, sample the range of beers made by its expert brewing team and sit in the beautiful courtyard to enjoy your tipple alfresco."

"Cha Chaan Teng in Holborn is a regular lunch spot for everyone here at Secret London HQ, because it just so happens to be right around the corner from our office… It also happens to be home to a very roomy round table, which conveniently seats 14. But that’s not the only reason we make the trip, because Cha Chaan Teng has never let us down when it comes to food quality or service. This Chinese fusion restaurant serves up a selection of ‘reimagined’ Chinese classics as well as offering a fantastic selection of filled, cushiony bao buns."

"Restaurants Chinese Chinatown. At a glance, Café TPT’s menu looks longer than the complete musings of Confucius, with offerings from across mainland China and beyond. Best bets are Cantonese staples such as succulent roast duck on rice or garlicky prawn-stuffed tofu in a hot stone pot, although we crave the Hong Kong-style Tai pai tong hawker dishes too."

"Café TPT is a cosy, unassuming sort of place, great for those on a budget, offering all sorts of Cantonese and Malaysian food. More a street kitchen than a restaurant, its popular dishes include bak kut teh, Malaysian meat broth, deep fried crispy oyster, and fried pork dumplings."

"Restaurants Chinese Moorgate. With its karaoke room and laminated picture menu, this fiery Sichuan joint is old school – although its food has real depth and complexity. The chef’s fish special comes with a Scoville-scale sucker-punch, but don’t ignore the dan-dan noodles or pork dumplings bobbing in soupy red chilli sauce."

"China Tang was founded by the late, extraordinary Sir David Tang. Only he could have created a restaurant where the Cantonese food would satisfy the most discriminating diner and an environment where the Sultan of Brunei, Kate Moss and Kanye would all feel equally at home. We love this swellegant place and will always think of Sir David when we're here."

"If you like your Asian food luxe, it doesn’t get swankier or more renowned than Mayfair’s China Tang, which specialises in Cantonese cuisine. Based at the Dorchester Hotel, decor is opulent and Art Deco-inspired. Do take a look at the Dim Sum menu and if you’re going all out, the Bird’s Nest Chicken Soup is a delicacy."