London's Local Parks

Brockwell Park

With views of the City of London skyline, Brockwell Park is located in Herne Hill, South London. Home to the Brockwell Lido, duck ponds, a café and a bowling green, there's something for everyone in this 128 acre park. For the more adventurous, try the BMX track or keep fit on the tennis courts; for something more sedate, stroll around the walled garden.

From May to September each year there's also a train which runs from the Herne Hill Gate to the Lido.

Coram's Fields

Not far from King's Cross, Coram's Fields is a child-friendly park. It's named after Thomas Coram, who started a hospital and school for foundling children. The recently opened Foundling Museum adjacent to the park tells the story of the hospital and school. The park boasts a paddling pool, a pets' corner and a café. Adults are only admitted if accompanied by children.

Crystal Palace Park

The Crystal Palace was constructed for the Great Exhibition of 1851. A great feat of engineering, the iron and glass structure was moved in 1854 from its original location in Hyde Park to Sydenham, south London. It stood in the park until destroyed by fire in 1936.

Crystal Palace Park is one of South London's largest and is home to the National Sports Centre, the circular Tea Maze, the Crystal Palace Museum and of course, some famous prehistoric monsters! Still there today, 33 dinosaurs were originally built in 1854 under the guidance of Professor Richard Owen. The park was also home to the first ever FA Cup Final in 1895.

Finsbury Park

North London's Finsbury Park was one of the first London parks, developed during the Victorian period. Today, it's home to a series of large, high profile events, such as the Rise festival and Big Gay Out. It also has a lake, children's playground, an athletics stadium, a softball or baseball diamond and facilities for football and hurling.

Island Gardens

Get a glimpse of old and new London. Set against the backdrop of the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, Island Gardens offers spectacular views across the river to Maritime Greenwich. The ancient heart of Greenwich is within easy reach with pedestrian access via the foot tunnel under the Thames.

Southwark Park

Ideal for picnics, walks and game-playing, Southwark Park is set in the heart of Bermondsey. It has something for everyone: a boating lake, a selection of sporting facilities, a new art gallery, and gorgeous scenery and gardens.

Victoria Park

The oldest public park in Britain stretches through London's East End. Victoria Park was first opened to the public in 1845. It quickly became known as the People’s Park because of the number of important political rallies and meetings held there. It's bordered by the Hertford Union Canal to the south.

Today, the bathing lake is ornamental, having been replaced with a lido in the mid-1930s. Go and check out the extravagant drinking fountain from 1862 and the only remaining segments of the original London Bridge. There is also a children's park and paddling pool; summer events are held in the park each year.