London’s parks are often overlooked by visitors, which is a shame because they not only provide an escape from the city, but are rich in history and interest. Whether it’s rustic and wild or urban and ordered, London’s green spaces have it all. Below are three of London’s best parks that any visitor to the city should make time to visit...



Battersea Park
Getting to Battersea Park shouldn’t pose too many problems if you’re staying someplace fairly central in London. It’s located south west of the city, just a couple of miles south of Marble Arch. It’s an immensely interesting park with lots of variety and hosts a range of events throughout the year, from fashion shows to fireworks.

Battersea Park is situated on the south bank of the River Thames opposite Chelsea. It was opened in 1858 and occupies land formerly used for market gardens that served the growing population of London. Battersea Fields, as the site where the park is today was once known, was a popular spot for dueling, and in 1829 the Duke of Wellington and the Earl of Winchelsea met there to settle a matter of honor (Winchelsea had publicly attacked the Duke’s character). When it was time to fire, the Duke deliberately aimed wide and Winchelsea fired into the air. Winchelsea later wrote the Duke a groveling apology.

Battersea Park is home to a small zoo, a boating lake, a bandstand, and several all-weather sporting facilities including soccer pitches, tennis courts, and a running track. Walking around this 200 acre park is a great way to spend time as there’s always something to stop and look at -- whether it’s the ornate Peace Pagoda, a gift to London from the Japanese Buddhist Order, or the peacocks in their enclosure by the boating lake. There’s also a café to stop at for tea and cake.

Closest train stations: Battersea Park or Queenstown Road (both a short walk along Queenstown Road), or Clapham Junction (25 minute walk or short bus ride).

Richmond Park
At almost 2500 acres, Richmond Park is the largest Royal Park in London. It was originally a deer hunting park and today is home to 650 free-roaming deer.

The Royal connections to Richmond Park probably date back to Edward I (1272 – 1307) when the area was known as the Manor of Sheen. The name was changed to Richmond during King Henry VII’s reign. In 1625 Charles I brought his court to Richmond Palace to escape the plague in London, and turned the space into a park for red and fallow deer. His decision, in 1637, to enclose the park was not popular with the local residents but he did allow pedestrians the right of way to enter the park. The walls still remain to this day, although they have been partially rebuilt and reinforced.

The park has seen little change over the centuries. Pen Ponds, a lake divided in two by a causeway and dug in 1746, is a good place to see water birds. The park also has several small woods, Sidmouth Wood, and the Isabella Plantation, both of which were added in the 19th century and fenced in order to keep the deer out.

Richmond Park offers a truly peaceful respite for visitors. It’s easy to spend hours walking in this beautiful park (there are guided walks organized throughout the year), or from April through to September you can hire a bicycle and see the park on two wheels. As well as the deer, the park is home to ancient oak trees, beetles, woodpeckers, owls, and waterfowl -- not to mention the odd fox, rabbit, and mouse!

Closest train stations: Richmond (train or tube), then take the 371 or 65 bus to the pedestrian gate at Petersham.

Bushy Park
Bushy Park is the second largest of the Royal Parks (after Richmond Park), with an area of 1099 acres. It lies to the north of Hampton Court Palace and although its history is inextricably linked to the Palace, it has always had its own distinct rural character. The park houses two famous sites -- Chestnut Avenue, and the Arethusa ‘Diana’ Fountain (referred to locally as the Diana Fountain).

Chestnut Avenue is a mile-long stretch in the park (now used as access for motorists) which was conceived by Sir Christopher Wren as a formal approach to Hampton Court Palace in the reign of William III and Mary II. The avenue, running from Teddington Gate to Hampton Court Gate, is flanked on both sides by a single row of horse chestnut trees and four rows of lime trees. The park’s Teddington Gate offers the most striking view of the avenue as from this point both the Diana Fountain -- the magnificent centerpiece to Wren’s grand approach to the Palace -- and the Banqueting Hall act as a backdrop.

Bushy Park has many ponds and streams fed by the Longford River, which was created in 1637 by Charles I to bring water to Hampton Court Palace. The ponds and streams are home to a wide range of fish including perch, roach, chub, and bream, and fishing is a popular sport in the park.

Closest train stations: Teddington, Hampton Wick, or Hampton Court (five to ten minute walk). So the next time you’re planning a visit to London, make sure you include a trip to one of the capital’s parks; it could just prove to be the highlight of your vacation!