Discover incredible London wildlife, beautifully designed gardens and of course plenty of space for summer picnics and refreshing winter walks in London's parks.
Below are some of London's biggest and best parks. For further inspiration, see a list of all parks in London, the best picnic spots in the capital and a whole host of outdoor activities to enjoy across the city.
Hyde Park
Regent's Park
Stop and smell the roses in the beautiful gardens at Regent’s Park. Spanning 166 hectares (410 acres), it was designed in 1811 by renowned architect John Nash. Alongside stunning formal gardens, this London park has a boating lake, playgrounds and the largest outdoor sports area in London, plus the Open Air Theatre.
Richmond Park
Admire hundreds of free roaming deer, ancient trees and rare wildflower species at this beautiful Royal Park. Covering 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres), the views from the top of the hill in Richmond Park are stunning and are protected by law. Hidden within the park grounds, seek out the Isabella Plantation to capture the Instagram-ready evergreen Japanese azaleas.
St James's Park
Channel your inner royal as you ramble through St James's Park. Surrounded by three royal palaces, including Buckingham Palace, it also boasts Horse Guards Parade and the tree-lined Mall. Visit the lake at 2.30pm to see the famous pelicans being fed, before stopping off for a hot drink at the stylish Inn The Park cafe.
Victoria Park
Head to Victoria Park, or "Vicky Park" if you ask a local, to explore the canals, ponds and pavilion in the capital's first public park. Bordering Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, you'll find plenty of places for sport and events during the summer months.
Greenwich Park
Hampstead Heath
Kensington Gardens
Take a stroll through this beautiful Royal Park in central London, home to Kensington Palace, the Albert Memorial, the Peter Pan Statue, beautiful flowers, green grass for picnics and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground.
Clapham Common
Lee Valley Regional Park
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. If you're not sure where to start, try one of the regular guided tours.
Battersea Park
Bushy Park
Stroll down Chestnut Avenue to Hampton Court Palace or see trees full of mistletoe in Bushy Park, the second largest of London's Royal Parks. You can also find the baroque water gardens and the 17th-century Diana Fountain in these historic grounds.
Crystal Palace Park
Danson Park
Pick a warm day to sail around the lake or take the kids to the waterpark for a splash of fun. Danson Park is a great family destination, with a peaceful rock garden and a wildlife-rich nature reserve, plus Grade I-listed Danson House.
As well as being perfect for relaxing, London's parks usually have plenty of things to do and activities to enjoy: sports events, open-air theatre and adventure playgrounds for children, not to mention some of the most breathtaking views the city has to offer.
For more outdoor activities in London, check out the top outdoor entertainment and outdoor cinemas across the city.