The 10 Best Parks in London (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 10 picks

The best parks in London in 2026 are Hyde Park for the Serpentine and Speakers' Corner, Regent's Park for its rose garden, Hampstead Heath for wild walks and swimming ponds, Richmond Park for wild deer, Greenwich Park for the city view, and St James's Park for Buckingham Palace.

London has eight Royal Parks, run by The Royal Parks charity, plus big commons and heaths run by councils and the City of London. All are free, most open from early morning until dusk, and many have cafés, toilets and deckchairs to hire in summer. Bring a picnic: sitting on the grass is allowed almost everywhere. For more free days out, see our free things to do in London.

1. Hyde Park — Mayfair & Knightsbridge

London's best-known central park, with the Serpentine and Speakers' Corner.

Hyde Park covers about 350 acres between Mayfair, Knightsbridge and Bayswater, with the Serpentine lake for boating, the Serpentine Lido for summer swimming, the Diana Memorial Fountain and Speakers' Corner. Big summer concerts take place here.

Rent a pedalo on the Serpentine, then walk west into Kensington Gardens.

Good to know: Hire a deckchair by the Serpentine on a sunny afternoon.

Hyde Park, London W2 2UH

Google Maps Website

2. Regent's Park — Marylebone

Formal gardens, a rose garden and London Zoo on its northern edge.

Regent's Park has Queen Mary's Gardens, with thousands of roses in early summer, a boating lake, an Open Air Theatre and London Zoo on its northern edge. Primrose Hill is just across the road.

Visit the rose garden in June, then walk up Primrose Hill for the view.

Good to know: Book the Open Air Theatre in summer for a play under the trees.

Regent's Park, London NW1 4NR

Google Maps

3. Hampstead Heath — Hampstead

Wild heathland with swimming ponds and a famous city view.

Hampstead Heath feels like countryside, with woods, meadows, swimming ponds and Parliament Hill, which looks across to the City and the Shard. Kenwood House, an 18th-century mansion with a free art collection, is at its northern edge.

Spend half a day walking from Parliament Hill to Kenwood, with a swim in summer.

Good to know: Book the bathing ponds online on hot days; they reach capacity fast.

Hampstead Heath, London NW3 1TH

Google Maps Website

4. Richmond Park — Richmond

London's largest Royal Park, with herds of wild deer.

Richmond Park is the largest Royal Park, a wide landscape of grassland and ancient oaks home to herds of red and fallow deer. The Isabella Plantation, a woodland garden, is at its best when the azaleas bloom in spring. From King Henry's Mound there is a protected view to St Paul's Cathedral.

Bring a bike or walking shoes. It suits a whole day out.

Good to know: Find the telescope on King Henry's Mound to see St Paul's in the distance.

Richmond Park, Richmond TW10 5HS

Google Maps Website

5. Greenwich Park — Greenwich

A hilltop park with the Royal Observatory and a view of Canary Wharf.

Greenwich Park climbs to the Royal Observatory, home of the Prime Meridian, with a view down over the Queen's House, the Old Royal Naval College and across the Thames to Canary Wharf.

Combine it with the Cutty Sark and Greenwich Market for a full day.

Good to know: Arrive by Thames Clipper from central London for the best approach.

Greenwich Park, London SE10 8QY

Google Maps Website

6. St James's Park — Westminster

A lakeside park framed by Buckingham Palace and Whitehall.

St James's Park sits between Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards and Whitehall, with a lake home to pelicans. The Blue Bridge over the lake gives views of the palace one way and Whitehall's rooftops the other.

Walk through it on the way to the Changing of the Guard.

Good to know: Watch the pelicans being fed in the early afternoon near Duck Island Cottage.

St James's Park, London SW1A 2BJ

Google Maps Website

7. Kensington Gardens — Kensington

Kensington Palace, the Peter Pan statue and the Diana Memorial Playground.

Kensington Gardens adjoins Hyde Park, with Kensington Palace, the Italian Gardens, the Peter Pan statue, the Albert Memorial and the Serpentine Galleries.

It suits families: the Diana Memorial Playground has a pirate ship and is one of London's best.

Good to know: Visit the free Serpentine Galleries for contemporary art.

Kensington Gardens, London W2 2UH

Google Maps Website

8. Victoria Park — Hackney, Shoreditch & East London

East London's big Victorian park, with lakes and summer festivals.

Victoria Park is a large Victorian park in east London, with ornamental lakes, a Chinese pagoda and a lakeside café. In summer it hosts music festivals.

Combine it with a walk along Regent's Canal to Broadway Market.

Good to know: Visit on a Saturday and walk the canal to Broadway Market.

Victoria Park, Grove Rd, London E3 5TB

Google Maps Website

9. Holland Park — Holland Park, Notting Hill & Kensington

Woodland, peacocks and the Kyoto Garden.

Holland Park mixes woodland with formal gardens, including the Kyoto Garden, a Japanese garden with a waterfall and koi pond. Peacocks wander the grounds.

It suits a quiet walk near Notting Hill and Kensington.

Good to know: Visit the Kyoto Garden in autumn for the maple colours.

Holland Park, Ilchester Pl, London W8 6LU

Google Maps Website

10. Battersea Park — Battersea

A riverside park with a Peace Pagoda and a children's zoo.

Battersea Park sits on the south bank of the Thames, with a riverside promenade, a boating lake, a Peace Pagoda and a children's zoo.

It suits families and joggers. Combine it with a visit to the redeveloped Battersea Power Station nearby.

Good to know: Walk to Battersea Power Station afterwards for food and shops.

Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

What is the best park in London?

Hyde Park is the most famous and central. Hampstead Heath is the wildest, with ponds to swim in and Parliament Hill's view; Richmond Park is the largest, with herds of wild deer; and Regent's Park has the best formal gardens.

Where can I see deer in London?

Richmond Park has hundreds of free-roaming red and fallow deer, and Greenwich Park and Bushy Park have deer too. Keep at least 50 metres away, especially in the autumn rutting season and the early-summer birthing season.

Can you swim in London parks?

Yes. Hampstead Heath has three bathing ponds (men's, ladies' and mixed), and the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park opens in summer. Both charge a small fee and require booking at busy times.

What time do London parks close?

Royal Parks open from 5am or dawn and close at dusk or midnight depending on the park and the season; Hyde Park is open until midnight. Check the gates or the park's website for exact times.

Which London park is best for kids?

Kensington Gardens has the Diana Memorial Playground; Battersea Park has a children's zoo and an adventure playground; and Regent's Park borders London Zoo.

1. Hyde Park — Mayfair & Knightsbridge

2. Regent's Park — Marylebone

3. Hampstead Heath — Hampstead

4. Richmond Park — Richmond

5. Greenwich Park — Greenwich

6. St James's Park — Westminster

7. Kensington Gardens — Kensington

8. Victoria Park — Hackney, Shoreditch & East London

9. Holland Park — Holland Park, Notting Hill & Kensington

10. Battersea Park — Battersea

Frequently asked questions

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