Here’s are our top 10
Berkeley Square
credit: Wikipedia
Created in 1730, Berkeley Square is planted with some of London’s oldest plane trees. It’s also been home to some famous residents, including Winston Churchill. Crooner Nat King Cole even gave it a nod in his song A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square.
Best for: Taking a break from the West End
Where: Berkeley Square, W1
Tube: Green Park | Bond Street
Finsbury Circus
credit: Wikimedia
More of an elliptical patch of grass than a square, Finsbury Circus (above), west of Liverpool Street station, is surrounded by grand buildings and busy urban life. But, it’s a quaint, peaceful spot, which includes a bowling green and old-fashioned bandstand.
Best for: A relaxing stroll
Where: Finsbury Circus, EC2
Tube: Liverpool Street | Moorgate
Russell Square
credit: iStock
With a fountain and a café, Russell Square in genteel Bloomsbury has everything necessary for a great time outdoors. Loll around the water feature, or stroll its pathways. It’s hugely popular with students and blinking tourists who have just emerged from spending hours in nearby British Museum.
Best for: A break from the mummies in the British Museum
Where: Russell Square, WC1
Tube: Russell Square
Victoria Embankment Gardens
credit: Wikimedia
A small strip of a pretty park along the Thames, Victoria Embankment Gardens is a classic garden square with benches, flowers and pathways, and its proximity to other London landmarks, such as Somerset House, make it an ideal place to rest your weary feet.
Best for: Contemplating nature after hitting the sights
Where: Victoria Embankment Gardens, WC2
Tube: Embankment
Postman’s park
credit: geograph.org Chris Downer
This former burial ground earned its name because of its proximity to the site of the headquarters of the General Post Office. Its main attraction these days is the Memorial to Heroic Self Sacrifice, made up of a wall of ceramic memorial tablets to commemorate the ordinary people who died saving the lives of others.
Best for: Taking a break and pondering over acts of humanity
Where: Postman’s Park, EC1
Tube: Barbican | St Paul’s
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Grosvenor Square
credit: geograph.org Tom Morrisson
A patchwork of pathways and grass, Grosvenor Square, in hoity-toity Mayfair, is an open book. Home to a memorial to former US president Franklin D Roosevelt, it’s no coincidence the stronghold that is the American Embassy also resides here.
Best for: A very secure picnic on a sunny day
Where: Grosvenor Square, W1
Tube: Bond Street | Marble Arch
Lincoln’s Inn Fields
credit: geograph.org Julian Osley
The largest square in London, Lincoln’s Inn Fields in busy Holborn is said to have inspired New York’s Central Park. Large grassy patches are criss-crossed by footpaths, and a lovely gazebo in its centre is perfect for shelter from unexpected rain. There’s also tennis courts and a café.
Best for: Showing off your athletic skills
Where: Lincolns Inn, WC2
Tube: Holborn | Chancery Lane
Parliament Square
credit: geograph.org David Dixon
Often the place of protests, Parliament Square is a mostly bare grassy patch adjacent to the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. It’s also the place to seek democratic inspiration, as it’s surrounded by statues of political figureheads such as South Africa’s General Jan Smuts, and former president Nelson Mandela. plus a sober Winston Churchill.
Best for: Those who want to stand up for a cause
Where: Parliament Square, SW1
Tube: Westminster
Soho Square
credit: geograph.org Peter Trimming
Soho Square is smack-bang in the middle of the West End’s media land. At its most basic, Soho Square is a tidy grassy area with benches, a small gazebo and statue of King Charles II. But on a sunny day, this is the place where Soho’s office workers and vibrant, colourful locals come together for lunchtime and twilight parties.
Best for: Watching London come alive
Where: Soho Square, W1
Tube: Tottenham Court Road
St James’s Square
credit: flickr.com
In St James’s Square, a pathway encircles a statue of William of Orange. Surrounded by some of London’s most lovely Georgian architecture, this is a great place to bag a bench and watch as flowers poke their colourful heads from the grass. One of the capital’s oldest squares, it’s located outside the London Library.
Best for: A picnic lunch with a view
Where: St James’s Square, SW1
Tube: Piccadilly Circus | Green Park
What to take:
credit: iStock
The Food
Keep it simple. Make up some baguettes with brie and cranberry jelly before you head out for the day.
If you’re feeling gourmet, try
a pasta or rice salad, some dips with breadsticks and
a fruit salad.
The Booze
No one likes a glass of warm rosé/white/beer, so stick your bottle in the freezer before you hit the park and it should be the perfect temperature when it’s time to start glugging. Don’t forget
your bottle opener.
The Ground Cover
Don’t bother with one of those expensive plaid jobbies – a beach towel,
sarong or even sheet will keep the (let’s face it) damp grass away from your party.
The Games
French cricket is always
a winner. A hula hoop can also be a retro crowd-pleaser. For a gentler picnic, pack a battery-powered radio, lie back and listen to the World Cup/Olympics/Grand Prix.
Related posts:
What’s on in London this weekend
London’s park life
Must do in London list
Thames River facts
Meanwhile Gardens, London
