Picnic Spots and Tranquil Areas in London

London's Leafy Parks

You can't beat London's Royal Parks for a range of scenic spots. Feed the ducks on the lake then listen to music at the bandstand in St James's Park, right in the heart of Central London. The area around the Serpentine in Hyde Park is a lovely place to get away from it all. You can also soak up the fantastic view from the benches at the top of Greenwich Park on the south of the river.

The Primrose Hill area combines character and tranquillity. Enjoy tea and cake in one of the many coffee shops along Regent's Park Road and then take a stomp up Primrose Hill. Your reward will be a superb view over Regent's Park and the city.

South East London's Dulwich Park is a spacious open area popular with families, and Dulwich Village has a great atmosphere with its white picket fences and friendly pubs.

You don't even have to leave Central London to enjoy a picnic or some wildlife spotting. The lake at Battersea Park, near Marble Arch, is home to waterfowl, herons and many other types of bird. Venture further into the park and you'll also find various sculptures, including Henry Moore's Three Standing Figures.

In 1889, Sir Sidney Waterlow left Waterlow Park in Highgate to the public as a "garden for the gardenless". Set on a hillside with panoramic views over London, the park is well worth a visit. Don't miss the historic Lauderdale House and attractive ornamental gardens.

Prepare to be transported to a different world with a trip to the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park, built for the 1991 London Festival of Japan. Take a gentle stroll, admire the authentic Japanese landscapes and enjoy the sense of peace and harmony.

Squares and Courtyards

London is often described as "a city of garden squares". There's always one close by, wherever you are in Central London.

Russell Square is one of the largest and has a pleasant café and a fountain, while Soho Square, just south of Oxford Street, is perfectly located for weary shoppers! Lincoln's Inn Fields is a popular picnic spot for office workers and a short walk from Covent Garden.

Pop into the intimate Postman's Park tucked away next to St Botolph's Church. You'll find the 19th century Watts Memorial of Heroic Deeds, dedicated to ordinary people who lost their lives trying to save others. You may remember Natalie Portman and Jude Law visiting the park in the movie Closer.

If you need a break from the museums of South Kensington, the peaceful John Madejski Garden at the V&A could be just the place. Stroll around the elegant Italianate courtyard and admire the garden's lemon trees in summer or clipped hollies in winter.

The courtyard at Somerset House is also a haven from London's busy Strand. Just stroll in and feel refreshed by the fountains, cafés and glorious 18th century architecture.

Scenic Locations

London boasts many historic houses with beautifully laid-out grounds. A tour of the magnificent Kensington Palace and its gardens, followed by refreshments in The Orangery, make for the perfect day out.

For a small charge you can visit Syon House. The magnificent home of the Duke of Northumberland, it features the spectacular Great Conservatory and 40 acres of gardens with an ornamental lake and 200 species of rare trees.

If you're after a nice quiet spot by the water, head to St Katharine Docks. Hidden away next to the north end of Tower Bridge, this quiet harbour is home to a selection of swanky yachts, as well as some delightful restaurants. The canal-side coffee shops and colourful barges at Little Venice are the ideal destination for a calm afternoon out for all the family.