Hyde Park

The foremost of the London parks and probably the most well-known, Hyde Park is one of the city’s Royal Parks. Covering 350 acres of land in the very centre of London, the park is popular with locals and tourists alike and gives the chance for anyone to take a break from the hustle and bustle of busy city life.

Aerial view of Hyde Park, London, UK by Ben Leto

The park has won awards for urban conservation, and choices made about planting the flower beds, borders and trees have encouraged a great number of songbirds to feed and nest here. Visitors are discouraged from feeding the pigeons and squirrels that also come to the park as the songbirds can’t compete with these sometimes aggressive feral creatures.

The Serpentine is a small lake created in the 1700s as part of the development of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. As well as attracting wildfowl, the Serpentine has the oldest swimming club in the UK and is famous for its Christmas Day swim. Most recently, it’s featured in the London 2012 Olympic Games as the scene of the swimming leg of the triathlon.

Green Park

Green Park is another of the Royal Parks with a history even older than that of Hyde Park. First recorded in the geography of London in 1554, Green Park has a modest area compared to Hyde Park with some 45 acres of land adjacent to Buckingham Palace.

At the Buckingham House entrance to the park you’ll find Canada Gate, installed as part of the memorial to Queen Victoria at the turn of the 20th century to commemorate Canada’s contribution to the then British Empire. An ornate iron gate chased with gold guards the entrance to the park near the Canada Memorial, which pays homage to the Canadian forces who lost their lives in the two World Wars.

Canada Gate at Green Park, London, UK by Ian Dick

Keen Olympics followers will have also seen Green Park as part of the triathlon. The Royal Parks hosted the event, with the cycle leg running along the paths through the park.

Clapham Common

South London has parkland of a different kind to the open spaces north of the Thames. While North London has enclosed parks with ornately planted beds and borders, South London has expanses of common land on which Londoners can stretch their legs and enjoy what sunshine the capital manages to trap.

Clapham Common, London, UK by Justinc

Clapham Common is the best known of the London commons and covers 220 acres between the boroughs of Wandsworth and Lambeth. The most popular features of the common are the ponds – Eagle Pond and Mount Pond – which are used for coarse fishing and sailing of model boats.

In recent years, the common has hosted a number of music festivals. In 2012, the electronic music festival South West Four is due to take place on the common on the 25th and 26th August, bringing the big names from dance music from around the world together in what organisers hope will be the summer sunshine.

Conclusion

Although densely populated and filled with iconic buildings, London has a surprisingly large amount of open space, see them all from the air at https://www.thelondonhelicopter.com/. On your visit to London, try to check out some of the parks and get a feel for how Londoners spend their outdoor time right within the city limits.

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Summers will be even more pleasant if you enjoy your meals at riverside gardens or rooftop terraces that make up brilliant places to dine. Sit for bright sunshine during day and fresh air during night at any of the following restaurants:

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Boundary
Designed by Nicola Lesbirel, Boundary Rooftop has a large bar and visitors can sit anywhere around an open fireplace with 48 seat grill restaurant. The rooftop is served by its own kitchen. The place offers panoramic views of Canary Wharf, Barbican and The Gherkin. It is a fascinating place to dine out in fresh air if weather allows.
Address: 2 – 4 Boundary Street, Bethnal Green, London, E2 7JE

Coq d’Argent
Located on the roof of No.1 Poultry, the restaurant offers stunning views of the City of London and famous attractions like Mansion House, St. Pauls Cathedral, Bank of England and Monument. Covered terrace bar allows guests to enjoy alfresco dining throughout the year. On the other hand, if weather allows, another terrace on the restaurant serves the guests.
Address: No.1 Poultry, London, EC2R 8EJ

Kensington Roof Gardens
Offering breathtaking views of the skyline of London, Babylon restaurant is on the 7th floor of Kensington Roof Gardens. The restaurant is not only famous for amazing location but also for its superb service and great menu.
Address: 99 Kensington High Street, Kensington, London, W8 5SA

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Serpentine Bar & Kitchen
Lying on the banks of Serpentine in Hyde Park, this is one of the best alfresco dining experiences at waterside terrace. It offers a picturesque backdrop with greenest settings. This gives it an image of English countryside right in heart of the city.
Address: Serpentine Road, Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH

The Amphitheatre Restaurant
Located within the premise of the Royal Opera House, this is an ideal place for pre-performance dining. Guests can enjoy a relaxed meal while overlooking the famous Covent Garden Piazza. The delicious menu offers freshly cooked dishes to entice your taste buds.
Address: Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD

Cinnamon Culture
This Indian restaurant serves traditional dishes and has a huge garden. The garden has a dedicated grill area that makes it an ideal alfresco dining option in pleasant weather. Visitors often love to taste specialities like homemade chutneys, stunning starters and delicious main dishes.
Address: 46 Plaistow Lane, Bromley, London, BR1 3PA

Riverlounge Italian
Overlooking the stunning St. Katherine Docks, this is an ideal place for alfresco dining. It offers a truly miraculous experience throughout the year. It serves delicacies from European an Italian menu along with fine selection of drinks.
Address: 50 St Katharines Way, St Katherines Dock, London, E1W 1LA

Dining in open air is wonderful especially in summers when the weather in London is best.

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