Parks and open spaces in London facts for kids

London is a huge city, but it's also surprisingly green! About 40% of London is made up of public green spaces. This includes over 3,000 parks, covering a massive 35,000 acres. These green areas are super important for nature, for people to relax, and for keeping the city's air clean.

In the very center of London, you'll find five of the city's eight special parks called Royal Parks. There are also many smaller garden squares. Outside the city center, you'll find the other three Royal Parks and lots of other parks. These are mostly looked after by local councils, but some are managed by groups like the National Trust.

London's Royal Parks: Green Havens

St James's Park Lake in Westminster, looking east towards the London Eye.

The most famous green spaces in London are the eight Royal Parks of London. These parks used to be hunting grounds for kings and queens, but now they are open for everyone to enjoy. Together, they cover a huge area of nearly 5,000 acres!

Here are the eight Royal Parks:

• Richmond Park (955 hectares or 2,360 acres)
• Bushy Park (445 hectares or 1,100 acres)
• Regent's Park (166 hectares or 410 acres)
• Hyde Park (140 hectares or 346 acres)
• Kensington Gardens (107 hectares or 264 acres)
• Greenwich Park (74 hectares or 183 acres)
• St James's Park (23 hectares or 57 acres)
• Green Park (16 hectares or 40 acres)

Charming Garden Squares

A view of the center of Gordon Square.

Many smaller green areas in central London are called garden squares. These were originally built for the people living in fancy neighborhoods to use privately. However, some of them are now open to the public.

Great examples you can visit include Russell Square in Bloomsbury, Lincoln's Inn Fields in Holborn, and Soho Square in Soho. In some areas, like the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, there are over a hundred garden squares that are still just for residents. The cost of looking after these beautiful spaces is often paid for by the residents themselves.

Local Council Parks

The bathing pond at Victoria Park, which hasn't been used for swimming since the 1930s.

Besides the Royal Parks, many other parks are managed by London's local councils. These parks were mostly created between the mid-1800s and the Second World War.

Some of the larger and well-known council parks include:

• Victoria Park in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets (86.18 hectares or 213 acres)
• Battersea Park in the London Borough of Wandsworth (83 hectares or 205 acres)
• Beckenham Place Park in the London Borough of Lewisham (96 hectares or 237 acres)
• Crystal Palace Park in South London, managed by the London Borough of Bromley (80 hectares or 200 acres)
• Brockwell Park in Lambeth (51 hectares or 126 acres)
• Alexandra Park in the London Borough of Haringey (80 hectares or 197.68 acres)

The London Borough of Haringey also has many other parks like Bruce Castle park (Tottenham's oldest), Lordship Recreation Ground, and Down Lane Park, which has soccer fields, tennis courts, a playground, and a BMX track.

Other Wonderful Green Spaces

The Highgate model boating pond near Parliament Hill.

London also has many other large open spaces, especially in the outer parts of the city. These areas often feel more natural, like the countryside, because they were protected from buildings as the city grew.

Some of these larger green spaces include:

• Thames Chase (9,842 hectares or 24,320 acres)
• Epping Forest (2,476 hectares or 6,118 acres)
• Hampstead Heath (320 hectares or 790 acres)
• Wimbledon Common (460 hectares or 1,136 acres)
• Walthamstow Wetlands (211 hectares or 520 acres)
• Trent Park (169 hectares or 418 acres)
• Clapham Common (89 hectares or 220 acres)

Even some cemeteries offer large green areas, like Highgate Cemetery, where famous people like Karl Marx are buried. London also has beautiful gardens you can pay to visit, such as the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew and the gardens at Hampton Court Palace.

London's Commons

London has over a hundred registered "commons." These are pieces of land that have been used by local people for a long time, often for grazing animals or gathering wood. They range from small patches of green to very large open areas.

Lavender Fields: A Purple Past

A beautiful lavender field in the London Borough of Sutton.

Did you know London used to be famous for lavender? In the London Borough of Sutton, there are two historic lavender fields. One, at Oaks Way in Carshalton Beeches, is run by the community. The other, called Mayfield, is a larger commercial farm popular with tourists.

The area is perfect for growing lavender because of its chalky soil. From the 1700s to the early 1900s, this part of London was known as the "Lavender Capital of the World," with huge blue fields everywhere!

Greenways: Paths Through Nature

London greenways are special paths that connect different green spaces, often following old railway lines or canals. They are great for walking, cycling, and enjoying nature. Examples include The Greenway and the Thames Path, which follows the famous River Thames.

London: The World's First National Park City

In July 2019, London was officially named the world's first National Park City. This is a big deal! A National Park City isn't exactly like a traditional National Park (which is usually a wild, protected area). Instead, it's a large city that works to protect and improve its natural spaces.

The idea is to make the city greener, wilder, and healthier for everyone. It's led by volunteers and supported by local councils and the Mayor of London. The goal of the National Park City Foundation, which started this idea, is to inspire 25 National Park Cities around the world by 2025!