Summer is finally upon us, which means it’s officially picnic season!
However, among the busy London crowds and the ever-changing British weather, it might seem like finding the perfect spot for it is simply impossible.
Fear not, though, as we’ve created a map showcasing the top spots for a picnic in an array of tranquil, sun-kissed London locations.
Kyoto Gardens: Hidden in amongst West London’s Holland Park, lucky visitors can stumble across a tiny pocket of Japan, Kyoto Garden. Soak up the serene sounds of tiered waterfalls and spiritual surroundings, which combined, make for a stress-free stroll.
Hyde Park: Prime location for a London picnic; straddles central, north and west London, and is one of the most famous parks in the city. Though it can get very busy, there should always be plenty of space to set-up a picnic on the grass under a tree on a nice, summery weekend afternoon. Also home to an outdoor swimming pool, a lake with pedalos, and children’s playground for all types of outdoor adventures.
Kite Hill: Also known as “Parliament Hill”, this picnic patch is situated in north-west London across from Hampstead Heath. Sit back and relish the capital’s skyline and tick off the famous landmarks one by one.
Brockwell Park: Situated in the heart of south London, the Brockwell Park offers a vast amount of space for a picnic as well as a nice afternoon – or morning – stroll. Hilly enough to make the post-picnic walk interesting, but not too hilly that you end up dripping in sweat once you get back to the picnic rug.
Primrose Hill: Keep an eye out for any passing celebrities whilst you dig into a paparazzi picnic. Located on the northern side of Regents Park, it still remains the hub of social outdoor activity.
St. James Park: This Westminster Park offers two islands (West Island and Duck Island) where visitors can meet the resident colony of pelicans which have been a long-established feature of the area since 1664. Others can revel in a calming saunter around St James’s lake.
Soho Square: Want to make the most of the sunshine during working hours? Catch up with a friend over a meal deal in Soho’s social shelter, escaping the hectic lunchtime rush.
Dulwich Park: Situated in a residential corner of Dulwich, southeast London, this park is perfect for a family afternoon outdoors. Space to ride the bike, as well as enough room to set-up a picnic, this park is also home to a great children’s playground.
Victoria Park: This area might be host to a handful of festivals over the summer, but it also provides sanctuary in its Old English Garden during its downtime where many can enjoy a relaxing afternoon soaking up some rays.
Battersea Park: When summer arrives, Battersea Park opens itself to the public with all the facilities needed for a sublime day out in the sun. Arrange a session of cricket, tennis or rounders or work off that grub with a row in the lake afterwards. If that sounds a bit too active for a weekend, there are plenty of sun traps to choose from!
Richmond Park: Take a trip outside the city centre and make the most of the pastoral setting homed by deer. Delve into the numerous woods and copses lit up by vibrant floral displays and explore the variety of ponds and historical buildings that line the park.