Unwind and Relax: Parks and Gardens to Explore in London for the Holidays

London is one of the greenest cities in Europe, thanks to its incredible array of serene parks and lush gardens.

These green oases form a charming counterpoint to the vibrancy and bustling energy of the rest of the city and make the perfect places to unwind and relax after a busy day of exploring. 



London is a must-visit for anyone traveling in the UK, whether you are sailing from Southampton on a last-minute cruise or driving from Edinburgh to Lands End, and exploring the myriad parks and gardens scattered around the city is a wonderful addition to your trip.

Here are some of the best green spaces to discover in London:

Hyde Park

Hyde Park is the largest park in Central London and the largest of the royal parks.

Over the holiday season, it transforms into a winter wonderland, with a vast Christmas fair and festive market at its center and sparkling lights all around the park.

The Serpentine Lake is a glorious spot to stroll around on a crisp winter morning and watch the waterfowl on the water.




Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens is one of the most beautiful spots in London.

This extraordinary botanical garden is a lush landscape of exotic plants, majestic trees, and an unparalleled plant collection, and over the winter it is transmogrified into a gorgeous haven of festive lights and glittering displays.

The trails around the gardens are lit up to create a magical ambiance, and the historic Palm House twinkles with seasonal magic



Regents Park

Regents Park is one of the most accessible and interesting parks in the city, a delightful mixture of manicured rose beds, unmanaged forest, and bustling sports fields, containing the joys of London Zoo, the Primrose Hill viewpoint, and London’s best open-air theatre.

It is the perfect spot for a reflective holiday walk, and also the best place to get a view of the city skyline.




Hampstead Heath

Hampstead Heath is one of the most fabulous wild open spaces you’ll find in any city in the world.

It offers a complete contrast to the urban landscape of the rest of the city, a vast expanse of wild heathland and woodland that feels completely removed from the rest of London.

The views from Parliament Hill looking out over the city are exceptional, while the Hampstead Bathing Ponds are charming havens of calm and offer the prospect of an icy dip for the bravest souls.



Holland Park

Nestled in the heart of Kensington, Holland Park is one of London’s smaller green spaces, but is an amazingly peaceful retreat nonetheless.

Its miniature woodlands and formal gardens are extremely beautiful, and the charming Kyoto Garden is a true delight, a peaceful haven of waterfalls, rock gardens, and koi-filled lakes.

Thanks to its size and relatively out-of-the-way location it is usually more sparsely visited, making it a great place to really kick back and relax far from the sounds of the city.




Greenwich Park

Greenwich Park offers one of the best views in London, looking down from the Royal Observatory past the magnificent Old Royal Naval College and across the river to Canary Wharf.

It’s a stunning blend of old and new and is the highlight of this excellent park south of the river. 



London might be best known for its nightlife and high culture, its parks and gardens are another genuine highlight of the city.

For anyone looking for peace and tranquility, these green spaces are the perfect antidote to the faster pace of the rest of your London experience.


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