Famous Parks and Gardens

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Famous Parks

Alexandra Palace and Park
Alexandra Palace Way, Tube: Wood Green, Train: Alexander Palace then bus
This majestic building, built in 1873, is one of London's famous landmarks and is known as the birthplace of television. 200 acres of beautiful parkland, with panoramic views over London. It includes leisure facilities of ice rink, boating lake, pitch and putt golf and a garden centre.
Open: Alexandra Park open daily. Palm Court open daily 1000-1800
Green Park
Tube: Green Park
Lying to the east of Buckingham Palace its origins are as a royal hunting ground and it was acquired by Henry VIII in the early 16th century. It provides the backdrop for British ceremonial life with The Mall, the processional route between the Palace and Horse Guards Parade, the venue for major ceremonial occasions. An ideal place to hire a deck chair and relax from the hectic Capital.
Open daily. Admission free
Greenwich Park
DLR: Greenwich.
Created in 1433 this 185-acre Park situated on a hilltop overlooking London has a fine views towards the National Maritime Museum and across the Thames to Docklands and the City of London. The Park contains the Royal Observatory, which is in the centre, formal gardens, many historic avenues of trees, a popular boating lake and a children's playground
Open: daily 0500-dusk. Admission: free
Hyde Park
Tube: Hyde Park Corner, Marble Arch or Lancaster Gate.
For Speakers Corner - Marble Arch
One of London's finest landscapes with 340 acres; it has existed since 1536 when the land was acquired for hunting. Sit and relax in one of the lakeside restaurants overlooking the famous Serpentine lake (where you can hire a boat) and enjoy the view. Even with its heavy use and City location it manages to convey a haven of rural tranquillity.
Open: daily 0700-dusk. Admission free
Kensington Gardens - continuation of the Hyde Park to the east
Tube: Lancaster Gate or Queensway
Formed from land taken from adjoining Hyde Park in 1689. Added to since including in Victorian times with most notably the Italian Gardens (recently refurbished) and the Albert Memorial adding to the reputation of the Gardens as a tranquil and formal environment.
Open: daily 0700-dusk. Admission free
Regent's Park
Tube: Baker Street, Regent's Park
Referred to as the 'jewel in the crown' it evolved in 1811 and owes its commanding presence to the vision of Prince Regent, later to become George IV. The area open to the public exceeds 400 acres and is predominately open parkland but supporting a wide range of facilities and amenities including London Zoo, (see Kids Fun London), an Open Air Theatre, fine gardens, a lake with islands, and children's playgrounds.
Open daily.
St. James's Park
Tube: St James's Park
The oldest Royal Park in London with excellent views of Buckingham Palace to the west and Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament to the east. It reflects the English picturesque style of landscaping which was prominent in the 19th century. As well as its views it is famous for its flower displays and its waterfowl, where you can feed the ducks.
Open: daily dawn-midnight. Admission: free
Richmond Park
Tube: Richmond
Extending over 2,360 acres it was enclosed as a hunting park by Charles I in 1637 and still retains many features of a medieval park with herds of fallow and red deer that still roam the park.
Open: Mar-Sept daily 0700-30mins before dusk. Admission: free
Hampstead Heath
Tube: Hampstead
Holland Park
Tube: Holland Park

Famous Gardens

Royal Botanic Gardens - Kew Gardens
Tube: Kew Gardens.
Once belonging to the Royal Family with 300 acres of beautiful specimen gardens, parkland, lake, water gardens and hot-houses it contains living collections of over 40,000 plant species and varieties. Also six glasshouses, two art galleries, visitors' centre, Evolution House, restored Japanese Gateway and landscape
Open Mon-Fri 9.30-18.30, Sat-Sun 9.30-19.00.
Roof Gardens
99 Kensington High Street. Tube: High Street Kensington
Built in 1938 it was the largest of its kind in Europe being 100 feet above Kensington High Street on top of one of London's finest department stores. Constructed around three themes: the Spanish Garden with fountains and formal design; the Tudor Garden in old red brick and the English garden complete with streams, ducks and flamingos.
Open: daily on non-function days. Admission: free

Famous Canals

Regent's Canal
Cruises along the historic Regent's Canal as it slips quietly along the green and leafy fringes of Regent's Park. From the Regency elegance of Little Venice to the lively bustle of the markets of Camden Lock, through Regent's Park and the Maida Hill Tunnel.
Trips one way or return, with a stopover for a picnic or shopping. Or take the boat to London Zoo, with admission through our own canal gate.
SUMMER: Departing Sat - Sun 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 from Little Venice and 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 from Camden lock.

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