London through its parks

Why go

These green spaces reveal different sides of the city: ceremony near St James’s Park, broad lawns and galleries around Hyde Park, local weekend life in Regent’s Park, and long views from Greenwich Park or Parliament Hill. Pick one geographic chain rather than collecting parks across London; daylight, wind and walking energy should decide which one.

The route, stop by stop

World itinerary estimate: 120–480 min

1. 01

   Optional · – min

   Green Park

   The Green Park, usually known without the article simply as Green Park, is one of the Royal Parks of London.

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2. Walk · 8 min · Estimated

   02

   Optional · – min

   St James's Park

   St James's Park is a 23-hectare park in the City of Westminster, central London. The park lies at the southernmost tip of the St James's area, which was named after a leper hospital dedicated to St James the Less.

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3. Walk · 13 min · Estimated

   03

   Optional · – min

   River Thames

   The River Thames is a river that flows through southern England. While it is best known for flowing through London, the river also flows alongside other towns and cities, including Oxford, Reading, Henley-on-Thames and Windsor.

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4. Walk · 92 min · Estimated

   04

   Optional · – min

   Notting Hill

   Notting Hill is an affluent district in North-west London, located north of Kensington within the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.

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5. Walk · 49 min · Estimated

   05

   Optional · – min

   Hyde Park

   Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in London and one of its Royal Parks. To the southeast, outside the park, is Hyde Park Corner.

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6. Walk · 21 min · Estimated

   06

   Optional · – min

   Kensington Gardens

   , once the private gardens of Kensington Palace, are one of the Royal Parks of London, lying immediately to the west of Hyde Park.

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7. Walk · 56 min · Estimated

   07

   Optional · – min

   Regent's Park

   Regent's Park is one of the Royal Parks of London. Running through the northern end of the park is Regent's Canal, which connects the Grand Union Canal to the former London docks.

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8. Walk · 54 min · Estimated

   08

   Optional · – min

   Parliament Hill

   Parliament Hill is an area of open parkland in the south-east corner of Hampstead Heath in north-west London. Thirteen years later Parliament Hill was purchased for the public for £300,000 and added to Hampstead Heath.

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9. Walk · 251 min · Estimated

   09

   Optional · – min

   Greenwich Park

   Greenwich Park is a former hunting park in Greenwich and one of the largest single green spaces in south-east London.

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