Visiting London usually involves visiting some of its lively, bustling popular landmarks such as Oxford Street, Camden and tourist hotspots such as Trafalgar Square. However after a few days, or maybe just a few hours, of being caught up in the busy crowds, it's nice to know that you can easily escape to one of the many green spots and open spaces that are so prevalent in London.
Although London is the largest city in Europe and one of the busiest in the world, it is surprisingly well endowed with open spaces dotted throughout the city. Green spaces within central London are generally made up of five Royal Parks, with additional green spaces throughout the city made up by small garden squares.
Outside of central London, there are three more Royal Parks which are located in the suburbs. These parks - Greenwich Park, Bushy Park and Richmond Park - are supported by a number of other parks and green spaces which are generally maintained by the local borough council.
In central London, one of the most popular parks to visit, given its central location and prominence to popular landmarks such as Buckingham Palace is St James' Park.
A 23 hectare park located in Westminster, St James' Park is one of the oldest parks in London. The land that makes up the mark was originally purchased by Henry VIII in 1532 when it was a basic marshland. While Henry had ambitious plans for the park it wouldn't be until James I came to the throne in 1603 that the marshland would be drained and redesigned into an exotic zoo for the royals' entertainment.
The park was filled with exotic animals from all around the world including camels, crocodiles and an elephant as well as a large number of exotic birds. Many of these gifts were brought by visiting royals and dignitaries from around the world and it wasn't long before the park became home to a vast number of exotic species from almost every part of the globe. Today the majority of these exotic animals no longer live in the park, although visitors to London will be excited to watch the daily feeding of the pelicans which takes place at 2.30pm.
Another park which is extremely popular to visit, particularly for its infamous Speaker's Corner is Hyde Park. Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in London, boasting a grand 142 hectares of green which is open to the public to enjoy.
In recent history, Hyde Park has become famous for protests and mass demonstrations. Most famously it has attracted the Suffragettes, the Reform League and the Stop The War Coalition, all of which have held their protests here.
Central London is home to three more Royal Parks: Green Park, Kensington Gardens and Regent's Park. Surrounded by London hotels<a/> and some of the city's most famous boutique shops and restaurants, it shouldn't be too difficult to find the time to enjoy some of London's most famous green spots.
Although London is the largest city in Europe and one of the busiest in the world, it is surprisingly well endowed with open spaces dotted throughout the city. Green spaces within central London are generally made up of five Royal Parks, with additional green spaces throughout the city made up by small garden squares.
Outside of central London, there are three more Royal Parks which are located in the suburbs. These parks - Greenwich Park, Bushy Park and Richmond Park - are supported by a number of other parks and green spaces which are generally maintained by the local borough council.
In central London, one of the most popular parks to visit, given its central location and prominence to popular landmarks such as Buckingham Palace is St James' Park.
A 23 hectare park located in Westminster, St James' Park is one of the oldest parks in London. The land that makes up the mark was originally purchased by Henry VIII in 1532 when it was a basic marshland. While Henry had ambitious plans for the park it wouldn't be until James I came to the throne in 1603 that the marshland would be drained and redesigned into an exotic zoo for the royals' entertainment.
The park was filled with exotic animals from all around the world including camels, crocodiles and an elephant as well as a large number of exotic birds. Many of these gifts were brought by visiting royals and dignitaries from around the world and it wasn't long before the park became home to a vast number of exotic species from almost every part of the globe. Today the majority of these exotic animals no longer live in the park, although visitors to London will be excited to watch the daily feeding of the pelicans which takes place at 2.30pm.
Another park which is extremely popular to visit, particularly for its infamous Speaker's Corner is Hyde Park. Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in London, boasting a grand 142 hectares of green which is open to the public to enjoy.
In recent history, Hyde Park has become famous for protests and mass demonstrations. Most famously it has attracted the Suffragettes, the Reform League and the Stop The War Coalition, all of which have held their protests here.
Central London is home to three more Royal Parks: Green Park, Kensington Gardens and Regent's Park. Surrounded by London hotels<a/> and some of the city's most famous boutique shops and restaurants, it shouldn't be too difficult to find the time to enjoy some of London's most famous green spots.