Feeling peckish and in need of a breather from London’s city buzz? 🍃
Forget expensive cafes, London is home to plenty of of gorgeous picnic spots to chill, graze, and watch the world go by. So, ditch the guidebook, grab your friends or family (and snacks of course!), and get ready to explore some of London’s best picnic spots.
1. Greenwich Park
Home of the Prime Meridian (the reference line for Greenwich Mean Time) Greenwich Park offers 183 acres of gorgeous Royal Parkland where you can picnic in two time zones!
As one of the best picnic spots in the city, Greenwich Park offers a fantastic panoramic view of the capital where you can even London landmarks right from your picnic blanket. And that’s not all! Greenwich Park is also home to the outstanding Royal Observatory and plenty of flourishing ecosystems and wildlife – from tawny owls to grassland butterflies and busy bees.
🚇 Nearest tube station: Greenwich (DLR)
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2. Hyde Park
Set over 350 acres right in the heart of London, Hyde Park boasts plenty of green open spaces for visitors to relax and unwind. Find a nice spot in the sun for a picnic or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, try a pedal boat on the lake.
Hyde Park is also home to the Diana Memorial fountain and a whole host of stunning wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for the local flock of wild parakeets!
🚇 Nearest tube station: Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly Line)
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3. Hampstead Heath
Enjoy your picnic with a spectacular view of the capital atop Hampstead Heath’s Parliament Hill. After you’ve recharged your batteries, take a stroll around this park’s lovely city park and discover the butterfly house and Golders Hill Park Zoo.
Looking to cool off on a sunny day in London? Hampstead Heath’s open-air Lido provides the perfect place to cool down. Or if you and the kids are feeling active, there are plenty of playgrounds to enjoy as a family. With so much to do and see, this London park is definitely one of the best picnic spots in the capital!
🚇 Nearest tube station: Hampstead (Northern Line)
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4. St James’s Park
Turn your picnic into a regal banquet at St James’s Park. Sitting at the centre of royal and ceremonial life in London for over 400 years, Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Whitehall all surround the vibrant St James’s Park.
Boasting gorgeous flower beds and a beautiful lake, St James’s Park is also home to one of London’s oldest wildlife residents – the pelican. Pelicans have lived in St James’s Park for four centuries and love to laze about on the lake. Although they are free to roam, so keep an eye on your tuna sarnie!
🚇 Nearest tube station: St James’s Park (Circle or District Line)
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5. Regent’s Park
Home to one of London’s most popular attractions, London Zoo, this spacious park has plenty of green space to sit and watch the world go by with a picnic. Check out the Regent’s Park open-air theatre, where you can enjoy spectacular shows throughout the summer months.
This London park is also home to a hundred species of birdlife and hedgehogs. So keep your eyes peeled whilst exploring the park!
🚇 Nearest tube station: Regent’s Park (Bakerloo Line)
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6. Bushy Park
Situated alongside the spectacular Hampton Court Palace – once the home of King Henry VIII, Bushy Park is one of London’s eight royal parks. Famous for its wonderful mix of waterways, gardens and grassland, Bushy Park is home to various herds of red and fallow deer.
Enjoy a peaceful picnic in this huge 1000-acre expanse and see if you can spot the gorgeous local birdlife, including kingfishers, woodpeckers and kestrels.
🚇 Nearest train station: Hampton Court/Teddington/Hampton Wick (trains run from Waterloo station)
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7. Battersea Park
Enjoy a picnic South of the Thames! Battersea Park is a great choice for kids and one of the best picnic spots in London. Settle down for the afternoon while your kids can ‘Go Ape’ at the local adventure park or discover a whole menagerie at the Battersea Park Children’s Zoo.
Battersea Park is also home to the London Peace Pagoda. Gifted to the City of London in 1984, this impressive gold-clad monument represents the Buddha’s inspiring life and teachings.
🚇 Nearest tube station: Battersea (Overground)
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8. Holland Park
As one of London’s finest open green spaces, Holland Park’s lovely grassland surrounds the historical Jacobean mansion, Holland House. Become a smash-hit for family picnic days out, this splendid west London park is home to plenty of playground activities, including a giant zip wire, see-saw and tyre swing.
But if you’re looking for somewhere to relax after a tiring afternoon, check out the tranquil Kyoto Gardens – nestled right in the heart of Holland Park! This enchanting Japanese space is the perfect escape to take a quiet moment of reflection or simply soak up the sun.
🚇 Nearest tube station: High Street Kensington (Circle or District Line)
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9. Southwark Park
Opened in 1869, this quiet and lush park in Southwark hosts 25 acres of grassland perfect for a picnic. With bookable public tennis courts and many other sports facilities on offer, Southwark is a lovely picnic spot for families and friends to enjoy on a sunny afternoon.
Don’t forget to explore Southwark Park’s stunning rose garden and duck pond packed with wildlife.
🚇 Nearest tube station: Surrey Quays (Overground)
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10. Crystal Palace Park
This quirky London park is home to some prehistoric residents your little ones will adore! Prepare to come face-to-face with dinosaur statues that lurk in the woodland. These prehistoric statues have been a feature of Crystal Palace Park since the Victorian era and have proved to be a huge hit with younger visitors.
After your Jurassic journey, visit the Crystal Palace Museum to find out more about the local residents and the history of the park itself. Crystal Palace Park is also home to a fantastic children’s farm, maze and playground to keep the kids entertained all day long!
🚇 Nearest tube station: Crystal Palace (Overground)
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