People cycling along a leafy route in Hyde Park

Parks and outdoor spaces in London

You are here: Home > Things to do > Parks and outdoors

Thanks to its abundance of green spaces and outdoor activities, London is the world's first National Park City. Enjoy walks in the best London parks, visit world-famous spots such as Kew Gardens and Hyde Park, grab a bite to eat at an alfresco restaurant, bag a bargain at outdoor markets in London, make a summer splash at an outdoor pool or go for a spin at winter ice rinks.

Top picks

Reflections of trees in the water surrounding the Sackler Bridge at Kew Gardens.

101 things to do outdoors

Explore the great outdoors, from leafy parks to top attractions.
Two women are laughing standing on the top deck of one of City Cruises boats in London.

Best Thames river boat tours

Spot iconic landmarks while cruising down the Thames. 
People walk along the steel walkway at Kew Gardens surrounded by green trees

National Park City

Discover why London is the world's first National Park City.
A deer in between trees at Richmond Park in London.

Best London parks

Make the most of the capital's incredible green spaces. 

Top outdoor attractions in London

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Visit one of the world's most diverse collections of living plants.

From £22.00
Hop-on hop-off bus driving past the London Eye.

Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

See the sights from the comfort of an open-top bus. 

From £39.00

Up at The O2

Climb over the roof of the world-famous entertainment venue.

From £37.00

London Zoo

Say hello to more than 700 species of animals, from penguins to lions. 

From £35.00

The Dare Skywalk

Scale to new heights at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

From £45.00
On a yellow background, actors from the cast of the musical Shucked hold corn in their hands.

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Catch a show in the beautiful surroundings of Regent's Park.

Explore by category

Visit the best parks in London

Hyde Park

Regent's Park

Richmond Park

See the prettiest gardens in London

Kew Gardens

Hampton Court Palace Gardens

Kensington Palace Gardens

Discover outdoor spaces in London

Medieval and art deco building of Eltham Palace in Greenwich.

Best gardens
Ornate entrance to the Egyptian Avenue at Highgate Cemetery, London

Historic cemeteries
Two black cows eating grass in their enclosure with the City of London's high-rise offices in the background

City farms

Fun outdoor activities in London

A photo of a crowd of festival-goers in the sunshine at Waterworks festival with two DJs playing onstage in the background and branches of a tree hanging in the top of the frame

Music festivals
A couple smile at the camera whilst sitting on comfy chairs as the sun goes down behind them and they hold a pizza box on their laps surrounded by other revellers at an outdoor cinema screen

Outdoor cinemas
People hanging upside down as the Nemesis Inferno ride goes upside down on its red rails.

Theme parks

Wander around outdoor markets

People browsing through stalls of books at the Southbank Centre Book Market.

Best markets

Columbia Road Flower Market

Borough Market Food Tour

Tickets, hotels and offers

Theatre tickets

Attraction tickets
Sponsored

Hilton hotels in London

London cycling and walking lowdown

A cyclist smiles while riding a Santander Cycle along a cycle path in London

How to cycle in London

Best cycle routes
A photo of the back of two women walking along Regent's Canal with a floating restaurant and houseboats and a bridge in the foreground

London walks

Have some outdoor fun in London

People sit on green lawns in Greenwich Park in front of a view of the London skyline.

Top picnic areas
People swim in the lido at Hampstead Heath with a view of the park in the background

Swimming and lidos

Street art

Dine alfresco at London restaurants, pubs and bars

Rooftop terrace restaurant with chairs and tables set out or dining, with London skyline in distance.

Best outdoor restaurants
Two people with drinks sit on a yellow picnic-style table on a sunny day, with London's skyline behind.

Beer gardens
Aerial shot of Roof East's outdoor bar in London

Rooftop bars

Spend an afternoon by the river Thames

Plan an epic Thames day out

Perfect riverside pubs
London bridges are lit up along the Thames at night with the skyline.

See the Illuminated River