Parks, gardens & cemeteries
> Battersea ParkBattersea Park has a children’s zoo and Peace Pagoda, with a twenty-foot tall golden Buddha.
> Brompton CemeteryBrompton Cemetery is one of the finest burial grounds in London, home to Emmeline Pankhurst.
> Chelsea Physic GardenThe Chelsea Physic Garden was founded in 1673 as a place to study medicinal plants and herbs.
> Green ParkGreen Park is edged by Wellington Arch, Constitution Hill, and Buckingham Palace to the south.
> Greenwich ParkGreenwich Park is home to the Queen’s House, Royal Observatory and National Maritime Museum.
> Hampstead HeathThe heath has Kenwood House and Boadicea’s Mound. Climb Parliament Hill for great views.
> Highgate CemeteryHighgate Cemetery is one of the finest burial grounds in London, home to Karl Marx and Dickens.
> Holland ParkHolland Park, near Kensington Palace, is one of London’s loveliest, and least known parks.
> Kensington GardensThe gardens originally formed part of the palace grounds, but were opened to the public in 1841.
> Primrose HillPrimrose Hill stands north of Regent’s Park, and boasts some of the finest views of London.
> Regent’s ParkRegent’s Park is home to a zoo and London’s loveliest river-trip. Take a canal boat to Little Venice.
> St. James’s ParkLondon’s most prestigious park – St. James’s is bordered by the Mall and Buckingham Palace.
Events in London’s parks
>> Guide to events in London’s Royal parks
The art and architecture of Hyde Park12th Mar 2010
Take a guided walk around one of London’s greatest parks — and learn a little bit about the art and architecture of Hyde Park. You’ll learn to look past the trees at all the historic monuments and buildings dotted around the grounds.
Guided walk — The Mansions of Green Park15th Mar 2010
Most of the interest in Green Park lies around the edge, and this guided walk will help you admire the architecture and uncover the secrets of the grand houses that line the perimiter.
Kensington Gardens’ “19th Century Pioneers”25th Mar 2010
This guided walk is called “19th Century Pioneers”, and will look at the feats and achievements of all the people who are remembered with statues and memorials in Kensington Gardens.
See Spring in Hyde Park, on a free guided walk9th Apr 2010
Take a guided stroll around Hyde Park and learn a little bit about how Spring brings the best out of the birds, flowers and trees. This guided walk is free, but places are limited so booking is essential.
Enjoy a Spring Walk in Kensington Gardens22nd Apr 2010
Spring is here (at last) and Kensington Gardens is starting to come into bloom. Here is your chance to enjoy a guided walk around the grounds for free. But places are limited, so please contact them in advance to book a place.
The Great Exhibition — Guided walk around Hyde Park7th May 2010
The Great Exhibition in 1851 was a defining moment in Victorian Britain, and now you can learn a bit about it for free. This guided walk around Hyde Park will take you to the original site of the Crystal Palace, and show you what remains of that great enterprise.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show25th – 29th May 2010
If the nearest you get to gardening is mowing your lawn, then head down to the Chelsea Royal Hospital and see how it’s really done. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is one of the world’s great gardening events. Plenty of celebs will be in attendance — chief of which is our green-fingered Queen.