First set aside by Henry VIII as a hunting ground, Regent's Park is the largest grassy sporting spot in London. You will find the lovely canal, an open-air theatre, the London Zoo a mosque & restaurants. Queen Mary's Gardens are a highlight. Other than the road linking the two sections of the park, it is reserved for pedestrians only. Elegant homes by John Nash are to be seen.

Green Park was aptly named, as it's all green, a wooded meadow with mature trees. Though once a place for cutthroats and cutpurses, the park now lies in a regal setting of London, stately Buckingham Palace lording itself in the distance. It's a peaceful setting for locals who live or work nearby, as a temporary refuge from the hustle and bustle of a busy European capital like London. It's also a great place to walk (as there are paths throughout), jog, run or picnic.

Richmond Park is huge, almost thrice the size of New York's Central Park. Lots of gently rolling grasses here, as well as wooded areas and copses of trees, which includes the Queen Mother's Copse, dedicated to the late Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mother to Elizabeth II. Climb King Henry VIII's Mound for a good view of Sir Christopher Wren's St. Paul's Cathedral in the distance (no mountaineering gear needed, as everything around here is pretty gentle, even the slopes.) Herds of deer are given free range of the place, and you are sure to see some. Pembroke Lodge is where the famous philosopher and writer Bertrand Russell grew up; explore this great park a bit and you will see that young Bertie had it made.

Kew Gardens is old, over 250 years old, in fact. It's not to be missed. There are greenhouses, many distinct individual landscapes, lakes, temples, monuments, the unbelievable Xstrata Treetop Walkway (which takes you from below ground and then up for a stroll among the treetops), and what has been called the most amazing botanical collection in the world, all for you in some 300 acres of loveliness. Family-friendly, but it's rather pricey, so check for current prices.

These are just four of the many parks in London among which to choose.

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Article Source: EzineArticles - Jon W Turner