London is one of Europe’s biggest and busiest cities so having a park close by to where you live is essential.
Since we’re heading toward summer there’s no better time to show you the best parks in South London. I live in South East London and I’m forever telling my friends who live north of the Thames to visit me but my invite is often met with resistance. I can understand why, the transport links in the south are worse, and the north is bigger and seemingly has more attractions. But since my friends rarely journey southward, do they really know what it has to offer? I think not!
So today’s blog has two functions: for those who want to know more about South London, and to my friends, who I’m trying to entice to visit me (otherwise I’m going to start looking for new friends). I think parks are a good place to start. Everyone loves to hit the parks when the sun comes out in London.
Though London is famous for being a busy city, there are still plenty of opportunities to relax and frolick upon its green pastures. In fact 47% of London is made up of green spaces so there’s plenty to choose from depending on where you’re located.
So whether you just want to relax and soak up the rays, walk the dog or fancy a picnic and a few beers with friends, here are the best parks for the occasion.
Greenwich Park
I live right next to Greenwich Park, so I’ll kick off with the one I know best and also happen to think is the best! It’s super pretty, with its combination of exceptional views across London and its plethora of historic buildings within the park gates that include the Queen’s House, National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory.
You can spend the whole day exploring the rolling vistas and many attractions of Greenwich Park. The thing I love most about it is its oldie-worldie vibe and peaceful atmosphere (though it can get very busy on the weekends I should say). First, I suggest you grab a selection of things to eat at Greenwich Market then walk up through the park to the stunning Flower Garden at the top where you can enjoy your edible treats and bask in the beautiful surroundings.
There are several entrances to Greenwich Park but the main entrance at St. Mary’s Gate is located at King’s William Walk, Greenwich, SE10
The Heath (Blackheath)
If you exit out of the top gates of Greenwich Park, it will lead to Blackheath where you can enjoy the Heath, 275 acres of open green space surrounded by quaint cafes to the south. When you’re standing upon the grassy plain of the Heath it feels like you’ve been transported back in time.
Some people believe the Heath was a mass burial ground for victims of the Black Death, a plague which claimed hundreds of millions of lives across Asia and Europe between 1346 – 1353. However, historians found the name recorded in 1166 as Blachehedfeld which means ‘dark or black heath field’, suggesting that Blackheath takes its name from the colour of the ground during that period.
Since the Heath is pretty big, I’ll provide the address to the church which is the main landmark of the area: All Saints Dr, Blackheath, London SE3 0TY
Charlton Park
Still within the Borough of Greenwich you will also find the lovely Charlton Park. Compared to Greenwich Park, it’s not as big and fancy and therefore usually tends to draw in local residences. However, Charlton Park is great and has a number of gardens to explore and relax within. Of particular interest is the Peace Garden, small but neatly kept, which was opened in conjunction with Amnesty International. Lastly, it feels particularly charming if you enter via the front entrance which overlooks the rather grand Charlton House (pictured above).
Charlton Park is at 21 Cemetery Ln, SE7 8DZ
Lesnes Abbey Woods
Definitely the most underrated one on this list is Lesnes Abbey Woods despite it also being among the best. In fact, ask most people in London if they’ve heard of this place, and they probably haven’t. Perhaps this is due to its location which otherwise isn’t up to that much. However ,the park combined with the woods and abbey ruins is worth the trip especially if you’ve got children in tow. While exploring this area, don’t forget to look out for the quirky tree carvings.
Dulwich Park
Dulwich is surely one of the prettiest areas of South London with its eclectic cafes, leafy streets and high-end shops, so you can expect a lovely park that’s really well-maintained. During warmer months the big draw is the lake, where pedalos can be rented for a fun human-powered journey over the water.
It’s great for families too, home to a large children’s play park and there’s also an area with outdoor fitness equipment which is a way better alternative than being cooped up in a gym when the sun is shining.
Whilst you’re here, the nearby Dulwich Picture Gallery is certainly worth a visit to see the collection of stunning art work. It’s the oldest art gallery in the UK and free to enter too.
Dulwich Park is in SE21, and you can enter via College Road, Dulwich Common, Court Lane, and Dulwich Village
Crystal Palace Park
Home to the actual Crystal Palace that housed the Great Exhibition of 1851, before it burnt down in 1936 by a huge fire. Luckily, the park is still home to Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins’s dinosaurs which survived and they have recently undergone a restoration so they look better than ever. You won’t find anything else like them in London. They are super quirky and really hold a lot of historical value since they are the earliest representations of dinosaurs in the UK. However, they are not what you would call accurate but somehow are more charming for it!
The park has several other attractions, including a maze, boating lake, an orangery, play park, cafe and a sports centre. It’s a large park, and some areas are more well-maintained than others, but there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Crystal Palace Park is at Thicket Rd, SE20 8DT
Brockwell Park
I think Brockwell Park is somewhat underrated, but maybe that’s a good thing because you’ll never find it too overcrowded. It has many pathways and a walled garden and kids’ playground, as well as a cafe and, of course, the fabulous Art Deco Lido.
It also offers great views of the London skyline and Streatham Hill. It’s a big park, that hosts a few festivals throughout the year, and is also home to the annual Lambeth County Show.
Brockwell Park is at Norwood Road, SE24 9BJ
Battersea Park
Battersea Park is possibly my second favourite park in South London after my beloved Greenwich Park. It has a variety of landscape gardens with stunning flowers and trees draped in blossom during the warmer months. But really this park is stunning all year round with its diverse range of flora and fauna.
You’ll spot a lot of dog walkers, this might have something to do with being close to the famous Battersea Dogs Home. It’s also super easy to reach, set in a perfect location right by the Thames and just a short walk across the bridge from Chelsea.
The best way to relax and truly experience the park and is to sit on the steps of the Battersea Peace Pagoda (gifted to Londoners by the founder of the Japanese Buddhist movement) and watch boats passing along the Chelsea Embankment.
Battersea Park is at Albert Bridge Road, SW11 4NJ
Clapham Common
The large triangular park is located in the middle of the busy urban roads of Clapham, and the Common is one of the most popular parks in South London with some great sport facilities.
It always has plenty on, from one day festivals to football tournaments. The lake is beautiful – and there’s also the nearby Tooting Bec Lido for a dip during summer. Come winter and the adventure park Winterville opens, so all in all, Clapham Common is a hit with Londoners all year round.
Clapham common is at Windmill Drive, SW4 9DE
Richmond Park
The largest of the capital’s eight Royal Parks and the biggest enclosed space in London, you could easily get lost in Richmond Park. Although they call it a park, it’s more of an expanse of wilderness. It’s teeming with rich flora and fauna and today deer are still roaming around the park freely taking little notice of the visitors.
A perfect way to explore Richmond Park is to rent a bike from Parkcycle and just let your inner kid run riot. Don’t forget to visit Isabella Plantations too!
Further reading
If you still can’t muster up the desire to head to South London (shame on you) then how about visiting parks in East London?
And here’s another post I wrote about the best parks in London – covering north, south, east and west!
