| Parks and Gardens tips and photos posted by real travelers and London locals. • 199 Photos
• 113 Reviews
See all London Things To Do |
 | London Parks and Gardens Reviews | 1 - 10 of 113 |  |
Primrose Hill is London's highest natural view point (and is actually one of 6 "protected" vantage points in the capital). It is right by Regents Park, with Regent's Canal running in between. I was told that it's a great place for toboganning in the winter too!
It is very popular with families, dogs and anyone with who might be a bit "worse for wear" who is looking for a quiet shady place to lie down on the cool grass and recover from the excesses of the night before - like we were :)) There is an icecream van and a tea/coffee/muffin van thingy in the park too
The Ueber-trendy Primrose Hill is a fabulous place for people watching too - lots of well known TV, music, film etc personalities live in the area and are easily spotted! (But let them sip their lattes in peace!)
We arrived and found a lovely little cafe and a table on the sunny pavement and ordered coffee and toast. I tried asking the East European waitress for a Bagel but it was too taxing on her limited English - This is how the conversation went:
"Have you got bagels?" I asked innocently, thinking this wasn't an unreasonable request
"Bakel? Bakel?"... she frowned and repeated the word bakel
"Nooo", I said.. "a bagel... a bread roll with a hole in it??"
She shook her head... and walked away...
And came back a moment later....
"Ahhhh!!!! BAKEL!!! !! CREEEEESPY BAKEL!!??!??!" she shrieked, delighted to have at last apparently comprehended my request...
"No... not "crispy bacon"... I muttered despondently.. "just coffee".
Oh and bring plenty of money - this is one of the most expensive areas in London to have a coffee and no bagel. Leave a Comment Address: Camden TownDirections: Chalk farm Tube
|
 | |  |
Visiting London?
Read reviews about London Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 Victoria Embankment Gardens by irisbe
It exists out of a garden with grass parts on which some you are allowed to sit and others you cannot walk on; a cafeteria with terrace where you can have a drink
In Summer time it houses open-air concerts.
Inside the park you will notice different statues of notable British citizens. One of them is the Scottish poet Robert "Rabbie" Burns 1759 - 1796. A poet with a very turbulent social life, very succesful in writing but also in seducing women and making children `-)
The water gate at the northwest corner, constructed in 1626 as the triumphal entry to the Thames for the Duke of Buckingham, is probably the main historical feature of the garden. This water gate was part of York House that was the home to the Archbishops of York, before becoming the Duke's residence.
The Watergate is still in its original position, but because of the embankment of the Thames, hence the name of the park; it is now 330 feet distance from the edge of the river. Leave a Comment Directions: Nearest underground stations are: Embankment Charing Cross Nearest railway station: Charing Cross
|
| | |
 World Famous Poet Robert Burns
in London by Elena_007
Speaking of magical keywords ... Are you aware that every tip created here on Virtual Tourist is searchable with only a few thoughts? Thank you Robert Burns, for aiding me in this magical discovery! You see, I could not remember the name of the place I took this lovely photo, so I began my search ...
After learning about the man himself, by using the keywords: Robert Burns statue London, I learned that it was located on the Thames Embankment. (That could be anywhere in London!) So, my search continued ... Using the keywords: Robert Burns statue Thames Embankment London, I was amazed to find one of my fellow VT'ers just a click away! (Go ahead, try it! By using a few words unique to your description of the tip, you can magically find your page, outside of VT!) Wow! This is exciting! As an example, I tried the keywords: The London Eye two tiny red dots ... Brilliant! I just want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for VT making all this possible!
If you are not yet a member of this wonderful community, you are most welcome to join.
Oh, and the park is lovely. I sat on a bench right next to Burns, ate some take away (from a place I don't recall and not really worth mentioning), deposited my trash in a nearby bin, and continued on my journey to explore London. Leave a Comment Address: Victoria Embankment GardensDirections: Near the Millennium Bridge
|
| | |
 Peter Pan Statue in
Kensington Park by deecat
Since I was in London at the end of December and the beginning of January, the parks and gardens were not at the top of my list to visit. The weather was, however, quite mild (I only wore a light jacket!)
I knew that London had one of the world's greenest city centers, so I made it a point to keep my eyes open. What I saw was lots of tree-filled squares, plenty of expanses of grass, and several parks.
The Park that I saw the most of was Regent's Park with the lake for boating, the London zoo, and an open-air theathre.
Also, I saw St. James Park with its reserve for wildfowl.
We saw, of course, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. The park is a rallying place for political demonstrations. There's also the famed Speaker's Corner in the northeast where anyone can speak his/her mind.
The former grounds of Kensington Palace is next to Hyde Park and is now called Kensington Gardens. What I loved most about the gardens was the bronze statue of the fictional Peter Pan.
JM Barrie ( author of Peter Pan) often walked in Kensington Gardens, and he was accompanied by his Newfoundland dog named Luath (the inspiration for "Nana, the dog in Peter Pan). This bronze statue was done by Sir George Frampton and is ever so charming.
Unfortunately, I had no opportunity to visit Kew Gardens (botanic gardens).
I imagine that the spring and fall are the two best times to enjoy the parks and gardens in London; however, I think any time one visits, he/she should try to see them. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 by ginteLeave a Comment Address: Charlton Way, London, SE10 9LZDirections: Greenwich
|
Visiting London?
Read reviews about London Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 Canadian War Memorial by MariajoyLeave a Comment Address: Green ParkDirections: Green Park Tube Station
|
St James’s Park is definitely one of my favourite spots in the city. All the London parks provide a welcome green oasis but for me this one has the edge. Perhaps it’s the lovely lake with so many beautiful water birds, or maybe the great views to be had from its bridge. Stand there for a while and look towards Whitehall – the domes and copulas will make you think you are somewhere far more exotic than London! Then turn to look the other way and you’ll see one of the city’s most famous buildings, Buckingham Palace, which in my opinion looks much better from this distance than close up!
This is also a great park for picnics, and for people watching. So linger a while on the benches – or why not follow a great London parks’ tradition and hire a deck-chair? And if you’re looking for refreshments, the park has an excellent restaurant (by reputation – I haven’t been – yet!) and several snack kiosks.
Some history
This is the oldest Royal Park in London, surrounded by three palaces: Westminster, the oldest and now the Houses of Parliament, St James's and of course Buckingham Palace. The Park was once a marshy meadow. In 1532 Henry VIII acquired it as a deer park and built the Palace of St James's. The park was redesigned in Charles II’s time, with avenues of trees planted and lawns laid. The King opened the park to the public and was a frequent visitor, feeding the ducks and mingling with his subjects. Later Horse Guards Parade was created by filling in one end of the canal and was used first as a mustering ground and later for parades. The Park changed again when John Nash redesigned it in a more romantic style. The canal was transformed into a natural-looking lake, and in 1837 the Ornithological Society of London presented some birds and had a cottage built for a bird-keeper. You can still see the cottage on the eastern side of the lake, near Horse Guards Parade, and apparently the position of bird-keeper remains to this day too :) Oh, and the famous resident pelicans are fed every day at 2:30pm
|
| | |
A friend of mine phoned me last week from Kew Gardens to tell me i must get myself there as the place was stunning! - full swing spring - but i couldnt muster up a visit until today (too much work and travel!!) and sadly the peak had past but the spring flowers do continue but instead of the place being one mass of spring blooms they are now in areas around the park.
A great thing about Kew Gardens are not only the seasonal highlights such as 5 million different bulbs which flower in spring ie snowdrops which are the first flowers to appear in spring, crocuses(2 million bulbs of them!) and daffodils, camellias but also the all year glasshouses such as the Palm house which has has the worlds highest indoor plant, and the Princess of Wales conservatory where you can see 10 climatic zones with plants from orchids to cacti. Ive been to see the amazing orchid and tropical exhibition with over 200,000 plants on display which are on beginning of each year.
Theres also Kew Palace with its own Queens Gardens to see too.
Entrance is a bit expensive at £11.75 or like me today a late entry ticket for £6.70, but good value is a season ticket with unlimited visits for £35!! there are reductions if you are a student or over 60 or with a disability.
So i did make it out there today and have a few nice pics to show you - think i need to go again next week!
2009 PRICES HAVE GONE UP QUITE A BIT ALREADY - DAY TICKET IS NOW £13, LATE ENTRANCE IS £10 AND AN ANNUAL TICKET IS £39 Leave a Comment Address: Kew Road, KewPhone: (0044)02083323333Directions: take overground train to Richmond and then bus 65 to kew gardens or underground to Kew Gardens tube station , and follow the signs about 5-10 mins walk. you will see it marked clearly though on ref maps for londonWebsite: www.kew.org
|
| | |
St James' has always been my most favourite of the Royal Parks. It was the nearest to where I worked and was where my colleagues and I would often eat our lunch surrounded by the lush greenery and tranquil lakes full of water birds including pelicans!
It's also a nice place for a VT meeting in the summer as there is now the "Inn the Park" terrace restaurant for a refreshing cup of tea (but no Coke - only expensive fruit juices!). A soft drink and a sandwich comes to about £6.
Flanked by The Mall on one side and Birdcage Walk on the other, St James is very central, a short walk from Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace.
The park is open 5am-midnight throughout the year.
Follow the "Diana Memorial Walk" plaques, inlaid in the paths, for a circular walk around the park. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 by ginteLeave a Comment Address: George Lane SE 13Directions: Hither Green station
|
More London Tips Overview
| Hotels and Accommodations
Tips: 1,787 - Photos: 1,486 | Things To Do
Tips: 9,604 - Photos: 13,274 | Nightlife
Tips: 1,386 - Photos: 1,178 | Transportation
Tips: 1,999 - Photos: 1,570 | Restaurants
Tips: 2,978 - Photos: 3,302 | Shopping
Tips: 1,048 - Photos: 1,155 | Off the Beaten Path
Tips: 1,608 - Photos: 2,059 | Tourist Traps
Tips: 500 - Photos: 346 | Warnings or Dangers
Tips: 709 - Photos: 412 | Local Customs
Tips: 728 - Photos: 671 | Packing Lists
Tips: 293 - Photos: 127 | Sports Travel
Tips: 228 - Photos: 339 | General Tips
Tips: 2,331 - Photos: 2,298 | Flights
Tips: 167 - Photos: 0 |
 |
|
- Holiday Inn Brentwood
Brook St M25, Jct 28, London - My Place
1-3 Trebovir Rd. Earl's Court, London - Wigmore Court Hotel
23 Gloucester Place Portman Square, London - Point West Apartments
116 Cromwell Road Formerly Oakwood at Point West, London - Best Western Corona Hotel
85 - 89 Belgrave Road Victoria, London - Thistle Kensington Park
16-32 De Vere Gardens Kensington, London - Generator London
37 Tavistock Place Russell Square, London - Citadines South Kensington
35 Gloucester Road, London - Bridgehouse Hotels - Cannizaro House
West Side Wimbledon Common, London - California Hotel
4-8 Belgrove Street Kings Cross, London - Piccolino Hotel
14 Sussex Place, London - Days Hotel London North
M1 Between Jct 2-4 Gateway Services, London - Astor Kensington Hostel
138 Cromwell Road, London - Cromwell Crown Hotel
139-141 Cromwell Rd, London - Millennium Hotel Knightsbridge
17 Sloane Street Knightsbridge, London
|
