Posted July 13th 2020.
If you are relocating to London or have just moved to London and are settling in, then here are some lovely ideas for you to spend a leisurely few hours.
It has been very hard on Londoners over the last few months but nevertheless now that you can, summer in London is the perfect time to visit some of the green spaces which cover close to forty percent of the city. Woodlands, Meadows, Rivers, Lakes, Gardens and Parks are within easy reach and open up endless opportunities for exploring.
Hyde Park, and the Serpentine provide a great place to swim or sunbathe but there are lots of other options for enjoying the outdoors that might be interesting. Have a look at the list below and choose somewhere to stretch your legs, take in the view and have a bite to eat... remembering social distancing!
Lesnes Abbey Woods - Are beautiful ancient woods surrounding an old abbey. This area was once inhabited by bronze age families . If you like looking for fossils you can do this with permission of the ranger at Fossil Bank or just wander through the heathland and woods spotting birds and animals. In spring the woods would have been full of bluebells. If you are taking public transport you will need to get to Abbey Wood railway station.
Greenwich Park - Has 183 acres of landscape and beautiful gardens to wander through near to the River Thames. Enjoy a picnic with breathtaking views. If you love wildlife the park has been home to red and fallow deer since the early 1400s. You can see them in an area called The Wilderness. The stunning Pavillion Café at the top of the hill has great offerings from breakfast through to afternoon tea. The stone baked pizzas are really good! Maze Hill railway station is the closest to the park.
Danson Park - If you are a runner you might enjoy joining other runners at 9am on Saturday mornings for 2 laps of the lake (around 5km) or you can take a canoe or boat on the lake itself. There are also some interesting gardens including Danson Park Bog Garden. Danson Stables in Danson Park offers pub food if you are ravenous after your exertions! Best station is Welling Railway Station .Not far from Danson Park there is a wonderful walk along the River Cray through meadows full of wildflowers, lovely old woodland and an abundance of wildlife. This is a great picnicking spot and particularly lovely close to Five Arches Bridge. If you have plenty of time you can take the London Loop pathway to Petts Wood and Scadbury Park. Albany Railway Station will take you close.
Putney To Hammersmith - There is a most beautiful return walk from Putney to Hammersmith along the Thames with plenty to see on and off the water. There are loads of pubs and cafes along the walk which is just slightly more than 2 miles each way. Easy access from Putney Bridge Station.
Richmond Park’s 2500 acres is much as it was many centuries ago. You can wander through woodland, grasslands, hills and gardens and yet less than 12 miles away you can see St Paul’s cathedral in the heart of London from King Henry’s mound considered to be a bronze age burial mound from which Henry V111 waited to see the rocket fired from the Tower of London to let him know his queen had been executed. One of the drawcards for the park are over six hundred red and fallow deer which roam throughout the park. You can catch a tube or overground train to Richmond There are wonderful places to eat around the area. There are refreshment stops throughout the park but there is also Roehampton Café which has indoor and outdoor seating and serves more substantial food between 9am-5pm. Richmond Tube or overground stations are closest.
Hampton Court on the Thames is certainly worth a visit. The gardens are world renowned and wonderful for picnicking. There is a terrific maze planted at the end of the 1600s and the largest and oldest vine in the world. The vine was planted back in 1769 and still produces grapes. If you have time to visit the palace you are in for a treat! If you are going along with children don’t miss the Magic Garden! Hampton Court Railway Station is the closest.
Ferris Meadow Lake in Shepperton is where you can wild swimming if the weather is good. Separated from the Thames by a causeway it attracts lots of wildlife and was once used for fishing. Shepperton Railway Station is the nearest.
Hackney Marshes in the Lower Lea Valley is a great place to visit and is one of the greatest areas of common land in Greater London. By the end of August you can even pick wild blackberries to add to your morning muesli! The nearest station is Hackney Wick overground station.
Wimbledon Common is wonderful for walking, cycling or even horse riding through unspoilt habitat including ponds, heathland, woodlands. There are wonderful places to eat around the Common including pubs, cafes and restaurants so there is no need to go hungry. Wimbledon Tube station is the nearest to The common.
Kathy Nunn
Non Executive Director