LONDON’S BEST SUMMER WALKS

Awalk with family or friends couldn’t be more perfect to experience the spirit of summer in the capital. From sprawling treks across the city’s parks and nature reserves, to inner-city urban trails, here are just some of the best walks to enjoy in London. There are many more parks and open spaces to discover in London, all bringing a bit of countryside into the capital.

Richmond Park

One of London’s most breathtaking landscapes and among the best places to enjoy wildlife. The 1,012-hectare space is made up of woodland, grassland and ponds. But the park is best known for its 630 wild red and fallow deer – so have your camera ready! The park is a top UK site for ancient trees and supports a range of rare species including fungi, birds, beetles, bats, grasses and wildflowers. Try your hand at power kiting, horse riding or golf, or hire a bike for some off-road cycling along the Tamsin Trail then refuel at Pembroke Lodge tea rooms and enjoy distant views of St Paul’s Cathedral from King Henry’s Mound.

Bushy Park

At over 1000 acres, Bushy Park lies just north of Hampton Court Palace, Bushy is famed for its mix of waterways, gardens, and roaming herds of red and fallow deer. Visit the Upper Lodge Water Gardens, a historic gem hidden away in the north of the park. See if you can spot some of the arresting birdlife, from kingfishers to kestrels. And enjoy a walk in the peaceful Woodland Gardens after fuelling up at the Pheasantry Café.

Greenwich Park

On a summer’s day, there are few better places to be than at the top of Greenwich Park. The 74-hectare space is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as it overlooks the National Maritime Museum and the Old Royal Naval College, with the River Thames and Canary Wharf in the distance. Greenwich Park is an amazing mix of 17th century landscape, stunning gardens and a rich history that dates back to Roman times and a small herd of Fallow and Red deer, harking back to its royal hunting past. There’s also a children’s playground where kids can run around and exhaust themselves.

Wimbledon And Putney Commons

1,140 acres of countryside amidst the urban surroundings of Wimbledon, Putney and Kingston-upon-Thames. Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation, the Commons provide an important home for wildlife With woodland, scrubland, heathland and mown recreation areas – and nine ponds. They are the home to a wide variety of bird, animal and plant life. Being an unfenced Common, the whole area is open to the public 24 hours a day throughout the year for visitors to explore, relax and unwind. You will also see avid horse riders from the nearby Wimbledon Village Stables.

Battersea Park

With its gardens and sculptures offering the chance to escape through botanics and brief history lessons to far-flung destinations around the world, Battersea Park is one of the prettiest and most varied green spaces to walk in London.

The Grade II-listed, 200-acre park boasts a spot of inner-city tranquillity - the Old English Garden: a walled hideaway in which a lily-covered pond and vibrant foliage is tended to by a Chelsea Flower Show gold medal-winner. Battersea Park also holds a children’s zoo, a boating lake, and a playground.

THE REGENT’S PARK AND PRIMROSE HILL

The Regent’s Park (including Primrose Hill) covers 197 hectares, The park consists of formal gardens, shrubberies, sports pitches, rough grassland, a large lake, small enclosed wood and a canal with embankments. Regents Park also houses various structures and organisations both public and private, including the iconic ZSL London Zoo. Primrose Hill has a character all of its own, at the summit of this grassy hill are stunning panoramic views from 63 metres above sea level from six different viewpoints.

Highgate Cemetery

Although it may seem a little macabre, Highgate Cemetery is one of England’s greatest treasures and one of the most peaceful, idyllic walks in the city. Notable writers, musicians, philosophers including George Eliot, Karl Marx, Jean Simmons, George Michael and Malcolm McLaren… and some rather well-off unknown individuals are laid to rest here. It has incredible architecture, mausoleums, and individual graves amongst an eerie gothic setting. A guided tour is well worth the cost, giving insight and knowledge of its fascinating history.

Hyde Park

Once the hunting ground for Henry VIII, this large royal park is best known for its famous Speakers’ Corner and Serpentine Lake, home to waterfowl and oarsmen. The Lido is open for the summer with the Swimming Club open all year round so brave folk can swim in frigid waters, sometimes as cold as 4C. Dip your toes in the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain or just admire the views across the lake from a waterside café. Have a go at tennis, horse riding, or join the many joggers, walkers and cyclists enjoying the open air.

Holland Park

Located in one of the most desirable areas in London. amble around its formal gardens, loop the woodland in the north of the park then follow the path into Kyoto Garden, a Japanese garden with stone lanterns, a waterfall and carp-filled pond. Look out for freeroaming peacocks all year round. The park also has an orangery, tennis courts and a cricket pitch.

Summer is around the corner with five fabulous days of feasting at Regent’s Park, the city’s green oasis! Taste of London returns, welcoming aficionados and newcomers to a decadent week of dining, drinking, and celebration.

Kicking off the summer festival season, Taste of London will be a one-way ticket to London’s hottest restaurants, with the UK’s best chefs, exclusive culinary experiences, and live entertainment.

Expect a next-level collection of 120+ delectable dishes, including exclusive, never-before-tasted eats. New to the festival for 2023 are Dim Sum Terrace, a new concept and soon to open Harrods restaurant from the team behind Chai Wu, Sicilian-inspired Norma, MasterChef winner Alex Webb on Park Lane, and Islington’s vegan-Caribbean Jam Delish. Big Mamma Group, who has just opened Jacuzzi in Kensington, will be putting on an Italian extravaganza from its maximalist Trattorias.

Cornerstone’s Tom Brown, Hidden Hut’s Simon Stallard, prodigious Mexican chef Adriana Cavita, World Food Champion 2021, Preston Nguyen and the very popular new kid on the block, Big Zuu.

The Taste adventure does not stop there! There will be a series of interactive food and drink masterclasses, cooking demonstrations, and dining experiences. New for summer 2023, Visit Portugal is delighted to bring some of the nation’s top chefs to showcase Portuguese gastronomy at its best. Festival goers will have the opportunity to sample signature dishes, paired with distinctive wines, and learn about the country’s diverse culinary cultures and traditions at the Flames of Portugal barbeque cook-school. Grana Padano PDO cheese and Prosecco DOC will bring a little of the Italian “Dolce Vita”, with Chef Danilo Cortellini and Wine Expert Neil Phillips. A brand-new cocktail bar by Sanpellegrino will transport guests to a Mediterranean piazza for mixology masterclasses and a relaxed drink with friends in true Italian style. Taste’s very own fan favourite the Cook School will be back featuring a five-star lineup of chefs sharing their tips and tricks in the kitchen.

Returning to Taste are some of London’s most loved dining spots including awardwinning Sri Lankan restaurant Hoppers, Japanese restaurant Flesh & Buns, streetfood stalwarts Roti King, and Taste veterans Burger & Lobster. Also, Taste of London are once again partnering with Be Inclusive Hospitality to bring a collection of incredible black owned restaurants and businesses, with exclusive menus, to the festival. More restaurants soon to be announced, this is just a taster.

The fiery adventure at The Taste Fire Pit returns for 2023 and will be taking centre stage in the middle of the festival for the first time. Drop by for flame-fuelled chef demonstrations hosted by some of London’s favourite chefs including, Coal Office’s head chef, Dan Pelles, Hoppers’ Karan Gokani,

For those wanting to level up their Taste experience, the exclusive VIP Lounge is back with a makeover for 2023. VIP guests will have access to intimate masterclasses, garden games, tasting sessions with top artisan producers, and for the first time, exclusive live music and DJ sets powered by KALAB, the online community for emerging artists.

All that feasting is thirsty work and guests can continue the party in style as much loved tonic Schweppes’ Cocktail Bar will serve up delicious drinks. Or escape with el Jimador Tequila, bringing you the freshest tequila cocktails in town.

BLOOM London Dry Gin will serve up a menu of four light and refreshing cocktails inspired by an English summer garden. Visitors can sit and enjoy their very own Gin-utopia with a live pianist and plenty of photo opportunities with a backdrop of fresh pomelo, chamomile, and honeysuckle — the three botanicals found in BLOOM.

Londoners and visitors alike won’t want to miss out on the must-attend food festival of the Summer!

Advance tickets are now availablevisit the website to get yours and sign up to Taste of London’s newsletter to receive further information.

Tickets are available to purchase from tasteoflondon.com