4. An oasis of tranquillity in central London, Hyde Park, together with Kensington Gardens to the west, is the largest of the three royal parks. On the north-east side is Speaker's Corner, a traditional haven of free speech. It is also famous for the Serpentine boating lake, complete with a designated swimming area, and the Serpentine Gallery. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IywDfIjWeIk Speaker’s Corner
5. Hyde Park in London has something for everyone. You can enjoy swimming, boating, cycling and skating. There are pitches for team games, tennis courts, tracks for horse riding and a spectacular children’s playground. I saw Blur play Hyde Park in 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe5y9hjUgWc&feature=related
6. Joy of life fountain in Hyde Park Hyde Park is home to a number of fascinating buildings and monuments, such as The Serpentine Bridge, the Joy of Life fountain and the famous Archiles statue. And with the Diana Memorial Fountain and open air events throughout the year, there’s always something to see and do.
7. Regent’s Park The Regent’s Park covers 410 acres and was designed in 1811 by renowned architect John Nash. It includes stunning rose gardens and has the largest outdoor sports area in London, with facilities for football, softball rugby and cricket. There are also wild bird species and rare wildlife, plus the Open Air Theatre. London zoo is a major attraction for tourists and is located inside the park.
10. Richmond Park This beautiful Royal Park is famously home to around 650 free roaming deer. Richmond Park covers more than 2,000 acres with great cycle paths, riding stables, two golf courses and power kiting. The views from the top of the hill are so magnificent that they are protected by an act of Parliament.
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12. Victoria Park Situated in East London, it is London’s oldest public park. As well as canals, ponds and a pavilion, it also has tennis courts and a sports ground. Some of London's biggest events are held at the park, as well as outdoor theatre.
13. Kensington Gardens Kensington Gardens join Hyde Park at the end of the Serpentine. Park highlights include the Italian Fountain Gardens and the imposing Albert Memorial. The park is also home to Kensington Palace with its peaceful Italian Gardens.
14. Battersea Park Battersea Park is a huge, flat park (making it popular with joggers!) There's plenty for families to enjoy including play areas and the Battersea Children's Zoo. You can take a stroll along the grand 1km riverside promenade, take in the magnificent fountains, and even rent boats on the lake in the summer.
15. Hampstead Heath The wild, grassy sprawl of Hampstead Heath is popular with dog-walkers and nature-lovers. The heath stretches across 791 acres of woodland, playing fields, swimming ponds and meadows of tall grass in north London. On hot summer days, the Hampstead Ponds are perfect for a refreshing dip, while the dizzying heights of Parliament Hill provide a popular destination for kite-fliers when the weather turns breezy. This iconic setting has inspired authors and filmmakers.
16. ‘ The Writer’ was installed on Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath in 2005. The 30ft-high wood and steel structure, is the work of Italian sculptor Giancarlo Neri. Neri calls the design a "monument to the loneliness of writing". Hampstead Heath was chosen because of its literary traditions. Writers such as DH Lawrence lived nearby and poets Shelley and Keats strolled together there.
17. Greenwich Park Formerly a hunting ground for Henry VIII, the park still maintains a 13-acre grassland enclosure, which provides an urban sanctuary for deer, foxes and over 70 species of bird. Visitors can enjoy spectacular views and enter the museum.