London in six parks to get lost
London He has seen with surprise how this summer the thermometer has risen above 30º on several occasions, something very unusual in a city known for its eternal cloudy days. And city parks have been up to the task.
Taking into account that more than 40% of the surface of the British capital is green spaces, it is not surprising that parks are part of life for Londoners, both in good weather and in rain.
Apart from the mythical Hyde Park, here is a selection of several of the most special parks in the city.
A boat ride on the pond in Victoria Park
VICTORIA PARK
Opened in 1845 by Queen Victoria herself, this It was the first public park in London. More than 86 hectares, a pond and details that add charm, such as a fountain built by Baroness Angela Burdett-Coutts which has protected status, it is a beautiful park well worth a visit.
It is situated in the East End , an area in which historically the population was mainly working class and which today has an organic food market on weekends, in addition to ** Pavilion , a charming cafeteria ** with beautiful views and delicious sourdough bread.
Likewise, to cool off, a good option is The Lauriston , a nearby pub where good pints of cider and beer can be washed down with pizzas made in a stone oven.
HAMPSTEAD HEATH
This is one of the most special parks in London, especially because It doesn't look like a park. In apparently wild state, on Hampstead Heath there are ancient trees to lie under in the shade, as well as ponds to bathe in.
The biodiversity in Hampstead is surprising, especially considering that only six kilometers separate this wonderful space from Trafalgar Square , in the center of London.
The views from Parliament Hill, its main claim
Are more than 320 hectares in which to get lost, from green and open hills to wooded areas, along marked and indicated paths or leaving the established paths.
Parliament Hill It is one of the areas in which there is more atmosphere in Hampstead, there are many people walking with their pets, flying kites and picnicking. In addition, with almost 100 meters high, this is one of the highest points in the park and the views of the city, with the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf in the background, are impressive.
From Hampstead it's worth a walk to Ruby Violet in Tuffnell Park, an innovative ice cream parlor that only uses quality products and that offers very surprising flavors, such as chocolate with chilli or matcha tea.
RICHMOND PARK
Seeing herds of deer on the outskirts of London is possible. And for this you just have to go to Richmond Park. Located in the last stop on the Overground line (which has air conditioning), Richmond Park was founded in the 17th century by Charles I as a deer park And four centuries later, the one that is still the London's largest royal park it also remains home to hundreds of deer.
This Nature Reserve covers more than 1,000 hectares and has European protection as special conservation area. The ideal, especially due to its great extension, is visit it by bike. If you don't have one (in the Overground you can transport the bike, as long as you avoid rush hour, between 07.30 and 09.30 and from 16.00 to 19.00 from Monday to Friday), bikes can be hired by the hour from the car park next to Roehampton Gate. The experience of breathing in the fresh air and feeling it on your face while you pedal, of going down trails and exploring the magnitude of this park is unique.
Two points of particular interest are the Isabella Plantation, a Victorian garden that was planted in the 1830s and first opened to the public in 1953. Its colored azaleas –the best time to enjoy them is April and May- surrounding the ponds they are a real wonder. The tea break must be in Pembroke Lodge , an elegant Georgian mansion with protected status and with stunning views of the Thames.
And, if you want to venture beyond the park, don't miss Petersham Nurseries , a paradise for lovers of gardening. In addition to a greenhouse, they have a shop specializing in very nice garden products, as well as A cafe where they serve delicious cakes and light food, salad style. For a more formal dinner, Petersham Nurseries also have a rustic style restaurant with a very careful menu in which the fresh product stands out.
Yes, you're still in London
ST JAMES’S PARK
Located next to Buckingham Palace, St James's Park is one of the most beautiful parks from central London. And within the rich biodiversity that it hides, pelicans are some of the animals that most fill it with life.
It was a Russian ambassador who brought the first pelicans back in 1664, and since then more than 40 pelicans have always lived in the park. The best time to see them, almost always at the pond next to Duck Island Cottage, is between 2:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. , when they give them fresh fish every day.
This park is very close to major central London attractions - in fact, it was King Henry VIII who bought the land in the 16th century to turn it into a private hunting ground near Westminster - and it's well worth it. reserve a couple of hours to visit it calmly.
Since stroll through the historic The Mall that separates Trafalgar Square from Buckingham Palace, until enjoying the romantic park design , designed by architect John Nash in 1827, including the elongated lake that was once a canal, as well as the view towards Buckingham Palace and the statue dedicated to Queen Victoria.
HOLLAND PARK
It is said that the cream of British politics lives just a short distance from Holland Park, one of the most charming parks in the city.
St James's Park
Of this open space stands out especially his Japanese garden, Kyoto Garden. Opened in 1991, the garden was a gift from the city of Kyoto to commemorate its longstanding friendship with Britain. With delicate waterfalls, a calm pond and Japanese maples that are marvelous in the fall, this is one of the most photographed spaces in the park and also a place that invites reflection. Twenty-one years later, the Fukushima Memorial Garden , a garden that is a token of the gratitude of the Japanese for the support of the British during the disasters that the Japanese suffered in 2011.
The extent of Holland Park is 22 hectares and the park owes its name to a former diplomat's house built in 1605 and destroyed during the Blitz in 1940. Today, only ruins remain of Holland House.
GREENWICH PARK
The location of any place on earth was measured in relation to the distance that separated it from the Greenwich meridian, the Zero Longitude (0° 0' 0"). If that seems like reason enough to take a photo with a foot to each side of the meridian line, located in Greenwich Park, you will have to resign yourself to waiting the inevitable queue to enter the Royal Observatory (Royal Observatory).
In 1884 it was agreed internationally that this would be the official Prime Meridian, defeating the Paris meridian, which from 1678 until then had been considered the Prime Meridian. And since the late 19th century the British meridian has also served as reference point to establish time standards worldwide, establishing the GMT (Greenwich mean time).
In addition to the Greenwich meridian, this park offers one of the best sunsets thanks to its northeast orientation . In spring it is advisable not to miss the f stunning aisle of cherry blossoms leading to the rose garden of Ranger's House. And it is that Greenwich Park, which is part of the royal parks (owned by the British Crown, but open to the public daily), has a lot of class.
Greenwich Park