Exploring London Parks and Gardens

April 27 2010 by Bridget Daly
Comments (4)

wellington-arch.jpgWith the onset of spring and summer just around the corner, my favorite place to be in London is in one of the many outdoor parks and gardens. What better way to get a sense of the people and take in the history along the way?

Hyde Park is one of the most popular parks. On a beautiful day you will see boats and even swimmers in Serpentine Lake. I found it particularly charming to see horse and riders roaming this central London Park. Also, if you like to "get on your soapbox" then you have to visit Speaker's Corner near Marble Arch where anyone can get up on a soapbox and address the crowds. The kids will love the Princess Diana Memorial Garden playground at Kensington Gardens, a continuation of Hyde Park.


Regent's Park also has a large boating lake, and in the summer the open-air theater offers captivating Shakespearean performances. If the kids are with you, be sure and take in the London Zoo located in Regent's Park. The Georgian terraces designed by renowned architect, John Nash, surround Regent's Park, giving it an air of graceful charm.

London workers and tourists enjoy lunchtime concerts in the bandstand at St. James's Park during the summer. St. James's Park is also the best spot in London to sit by the lake and watch the waterfowl. Green Park is another popular midday retreats for busy Londoner's looking to relax in the shade of the big trees.

Since I am looking forward to lots of time in London this year, a little digging led me to discover the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon in October. I mention it now because this is apparently a popular event and registration for this October event fills up fast. I am generally not up for distance running but might be prompted to walk this event because the route looks interesting. It takes you by Buckingham Palace, through St. James Park, past the houses of Parliament, the London Eye, the Blackfriars Bridge, through Green Park and all over Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Another plus to this event is the Brakes Food & Fitness Festival in Hyde Park on race day. I am looking forward to browsing the stalls in the Farmers Market, sampling local food and enjoying the activities and entertainment including live music and competitions.

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    4 Comments

    By Austell Hotel on April 28, 2010 12:12 AM

    Great info about London..I would explore surely..

    By Barry Pope on April 28, 2010 2:23 PM

    Beware of Sleep and Fly offer by Best Western.
    I stayed at the Sacramento
    Expo Inn for one night. Upon reserving my room I was repeatedly assured the vehicle parking was secured.
    Upon my return to Sacramento, I was gone for 7 days, I attempted to leave that only to discover that something was wrong with my truck. I managed to get it to a Sears Auto Center. They inspected my exhaust system and determined my catalytic converter had been cut out. Cut out while parked at Best Westerns "secured" parking lot. When I brought this situation to the management they offered up very little in the form of an apology or assistance. The management indicated that they closed their gates at night. To which I re-conned the area early in the morning and found they provided no patrolling security, their cameras had huge blind spots (that's what they told me when I suggested we review film to see if anything was caught on tape), and the gates stayed open all night.
    As a result of the damage and it being Sunday night and could not get my truck repaired until Monday, Best Western charged me to stay the extra night as a result of their lack of security. Best Western Expo Inn is guilty of false advertising, false claims, poor management, maleficence, and negligence.

    By Melissa Pope on April 28, 2010 2:30 PM

    Beware of Sleep and Fly offer by Best Western.
    I stayed at the Sacramento
    Expo Inn for one night. Upon reserving my room I was repeatedly assured the vehicle parking was secured.
    Upon my return to Sacramento, I was gone for 7 days, I attempted to leave that only to discover that something was wrong with my truck. I managed to get it to a Sears Auto Center. They inspected my exhaust system and determined my catalytic converter had been cut out. Cut out while parked at Best Westerns "secured" parking lot. When I brought this situation to the management they offered up very little in the form of an apology or assistance. The management indicated that they closed their gates at night. To which I re-conned the area early in the morning and found they provided no patrolling security, their cameras had huge blind spots (that's what they told me when I suggested we review film to see if anything was caught on tape), and the gates stayed open all night.
    As a result of the damage and it being Sunday night and could not get my truck repaired until Monday, Best Western charged me to stay the extra night as a result of their lack of security. Best Western Expo Inn is guilty of false advertising, false claims, poor management, maleficence, and negligence.

    By BW Innsider on April 28, 2010 9:19 PM

    Melissa, we are sorry to hear about the situation with your vehicle. Please contact us at ecommerce@bestwestern.com so we may follow up directly with you.


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