Who doesn’t love a good summer picnic? There’s nothing quite like sitting out in the fresh air with a basket full of goodies to nibble at your side. With its myriad parks and attractions, London is definitely home to the some of the best picnic spots. Whether you’ve got granny and grandad coming down, or you’re taking the new baby out for the first time or you’ve got a few friends together with a bottle of wine, London will have a picnic spot answer for you.
Brockwell Park. This one is perfect for the warmer days. Children and adults alike can have a splash in the Lido to cool off and work up an appetite for a picnic lunch. Don’t forget your blanket because there are plenty of options for you to spread it. If you’re after more of a landscape view then you can settle down amongst the rolling meadows, with plenty of space for little ones to run about and burn some energy. If a picturesque water spot is more your thing, Brockwell Park has a number of pretty ponds. Just don’t let the ducks near your food! And there are also some simple grassy lawns to enjoy for a low-key picnic. You can safely addBrockwell Parkto your picnic spot bucket list.
Richmond Park No list of picnic spots can leave out the stunning Richmond Park. Sitting on the edge of London, Richmond Park is Europe’s biggest urban park. With itsbeautiful landscape of wild hills and woodlands,this gorgeous location is a sure picnic spot winner. Richmond Park is Europe’s largest urban park and it comes with some unique attractions. The 650 strong herd of roaming deer, for example and resident wild parrots. Itprovides serenity and calm, With the only noises for miles being birds and crickets, it’s a tranquil haven of serenity. For an after picnic walk, the Isabella Plantation has a lot to see; ponds and streams full of invertebrates and amphibians, as well as the famous collection of wild azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias. With its native nectar and berry bearing trees that provide food and shelter for birds, bats and insects, Richmond Park is a proud nature haven.So, take your picnic basket, head for the shade of ancient trees and lay out your rug. It’s probably a good idea to keep an eye on your food in case the roaming deer come to roam a little close to you!
Victoria Park. If there’s such a thing as a ‘cool’ park, then this one in Hackney surely takes the title. It’s the oldest public park in London and was opened by its namesake, HRH Queen Victoria, in 1845. Thewide open spaces are perfect for settling down to enjoy a family picnic, plus the parkoften hosts various sporting events and a number of surprisingly large-scale festivals. But picnicaficionados need not fret, Victoria Park has a large variety of trees – oaks, horse chestnuts, cherries, hawthorns and even Kentucky coffee trees – a quaint Old English Garden bursting with flowers and shrubs. For energetic little ones there’s a children’s playground, a deer enclosure, and of course, last but not least, the famous boating lake with its charmingly picturesque fountain in the middle. This one is an all-round great park for picnics!
Highgate Wood This little gem has been described as the perfect urban park in North London and depending on what you want, it has more going for itthan some of the other picnic places. There’s loads of things that you can do there to keep the whole family entertained, whether it’s a gentle Sunday stroll with the dog or a day out with the family.
– Picnic fields – Cricket pitch – Dense woodland to explore – Playground with comprehensive facilities; climbing equipment, a zip wire and sandpits to keep the kids entertained. – If you’re keen to get in the know about its trees and wildlife, you can also take part in guided walks around the wood which is kept in sterling condition by its 11 park keepers.
And once you’re finished, there’s a small café to refuel at with both indoor and outdoor seating.
St. James Park This is one for those who want a more urban feel for their picnic outing. St. James’s Park lies bang in the middle of central London, nearby famous sights include Horse Guards Parade,The Mall, Buckingham Palace, Whitehalland Clarence House. The park has famous flower beds right at the front of Buckingham Palace which are a familiar regal backdrop to pageants, ceremonial occasions and state visits. The summer months are particularly busy with events so it’s probably worth having a quick peek at the official website for the park before you go ahead and organise your picnic trip out. If you have a twitcher among your number then this is ideal. St James’ Park has fifteen different species of birds, the most famous being the resident colony of pelicans! There’s a sight you won’t see elsewhere. As one would expect of a Royal Park, there deck chairs to take advantage of, rather than sitting on the ground like a commoner of old.
From here you can also get some great photos of nearby landmarks – Horse Guards Parade, Buckingham Palace, London Eye and Big Ben to name a few. Given its location and nature, St James’ Park might be the one to head for if you’re