Parks and open spaces in London

Last updated
The lake in Beddington Park in the London Borough of Sutton in southwest London 3 Beddington Park, London Borough of Sutton - Boating Lake.jpg
The lake in Beddington Park in the London Borough of Sutton in southwest London

Green space in central London consists of five of the capital's eight Royal Parks, supplemented by a number of small garden squares scattered throughout the city centre. Open space in the rest of the region is dominated by the remaining three Royal Parks and many other parks and open spaces of a range of sizes, run mainly by the local London boroughs, although other owners include the National Trust and the City of London Corporation.

Contents

London is made of 40% public green space, including 3,000 parks and totaling 35,000 acres. [1] [2]

Royal parks

St James's Park Lake in Westminster, looking east from the Blue Bridge towards the London Eye. St James's Park Lake - East from the Blue Bridge - 2012-10-06.jpg
St James's Park Lake in Westminster, looking east from the Blue Bridge towards the London Eye.

The centrepieces of Greater London's park system are the eight Royal Parks of London. Covering 1,976 hectares (4,882 acres), [3] they are former royal hunting grounds which are now open to the public.

Garden squares

View of the centre of Gordon Square. Gordon Square Gardens, London Borough of Camden, WC1.jpg
View of the centre of Gordon Square.

Many of the smaller green spaces in central London are garden squares, which were built for the private use of the residents of the fashionable districts, but in some cases are now open to the public. Notable examples open to the public are Russell Square in Bloomsbury, Lincoln's Inn Fields in Holborn and Soho Square in Soho.

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea contains over a hundred garden squares whose use is restricted to residents. The upkeep of many of these spaces (also named for example Crescents, Gardens, Place) is paid for through a levy on top of residents' council tax. [12]

Council parks

The bathing pond at Victoria Park. Unused for bathing since the 1930s. Victoria park1.jpg
The bathing pond at Victoria Park. Unused for bathing since the 1930s.

In addition to these spaces, a large number of council-owned parks were developed between the mid 19th century and the Second World War.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets

London Borough of Wandsworth

London Borough of Lewisham

London Borough of Bromley

Lambeth Council

London Borough of Haringey

  • Tottenham Parks

Other green spaces

Highgate model boating pond near Parliament Hill Hampsteadheath1.jpg
Highgate model boating pond near Parliament Hill

Other major open spaces in the suburbs include:

namehectaresacres
Thames Chase 9,84224,320 [16]
Epping Forest 2,4766,118 [17]
Wildspace Conservation Park 6451,593 [18]
Wimbledon Common 4601,136 [19]
Hampstead Heath 320790 [20]
Walthamstow Wetlands 211520 [21]
Mitcham Common 182450 [22]
Trent Park 169418 [23]
Hainault Forest Country Park 136336 [24]
Clapham Common 89220 [25]
Wormwood Scrubs 80200
Wandsworth Common 73180
Gunnersbury Park 72178 [26]
Tooting Bec Common 62152
South Norwood Country Park 47116 [27]

They have a more informal and semi-natural character, having originally been countryside areas protected against surrounding urbanisation. Some cemeteries provide extensive green land within the city — notably Highgate Cemetery, burial place of Karl Marx and Michael Faraday amongst others. Completing London's array of green spaces are two paid entrance gardens — the leader is the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew, whilst the royal residence of Hampton Court Palace also has a celebrated garden. All Outer London boroughs contain sections of the metropolitan green belt. [28]

Commons

There are over a hundred registered commons in London, ranging in size from small fragments of land to large expanses.

Lavender fields

Lavender field in the London Borough of Sutton Lavish Lavender Carshalton London Borough of Sutton.jpg
Lavender field in the London Borough of Sutton

There are two historic lavender fields in the London Borough of Sutton. One, at Oaks Way, Carshalton Beeches is three acres in size and is run as a not-for-profit community project. The other, a 25-acre commercial site in Croydon Lane called Mayfield, is popular with tourists. Situated on the North Downs of Surrey, the locality is ideal for lavender cultivation, owing to the chalky free-draining nature of the soil. It was known as the "Lavender Capital of the World" from the 18th to the early 20th centuries, with global production of the plant centred here and blue fields dotting the area. [29] [30]

Greenways

There are several types of London greenways including The Greenway and the Thames Path.

By location

  1. City of London
  2. Westminster
  3. Kensington and Chelsea
  4. Hammersmith and Fulham
  5. Wandsworth
  6. Lambeth
  7. Southwark
  8. Tower Hamlets
  9. Hackney
  10. Islington
  11. Camden
  12. Brent
  13. Ealing
  14. Hounslow
  15. Richmond
  16. Kingston upon Thames
  17. Merton
London-boroughs.svgKensington and ChelseaHammersmith and FulhamWandsworthLambethSouthwarkTower HamletsHackneyIslingtonCamdenBrentEalingHounslowRichmond upon ThamesKingstonMertonSuttonCroydonBromleyLewishamGreenwichBexleyHaveringBarking and DagenhamRedbridgeNewhamWaltham ForestHaringeyEnfieldBarnetHarrowHillingdon
  1. Sutton
  2. Croydon
  3. Bromley
  4. Lewisham
  5. Greenwich
  6. Bexley
  7. Havering
  8. Barking and Dagenham
  9. Redbridge
  10. Newham
  11. Waltham Forest
  12. Haringey
  13. Enfield
  14. Barnet
  15. Harrow
  16. Hillingdon

London National Park City

London was officially declared the world's first National Park City in July 2019. A National Park City is inspired by the family of National Parks but is not the same as a National Park: it is a “large urban area that is managed and semi-protected through both formal and informal means to enhance the natural capital of its living landscape". [31] It is led by volunteers with a network of supporters and backing from councils' including the Mayor of London with activities linking to the Greater London Authorities' Environment Strategy.

The London National Park City was established by the National Park City Foundation [NPCF], which aims to inspire 25 National Park Cities around the world by 2025.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea</span> Place in United Kingdom

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is an Inner London borough with royal status. It is the smallest borough in London and the second smallest district in England; it is one of the most densely populated administrative regions in the United Kingdom. It includes affluent areas such as Notting Hill, Kensington, South Kensington, Chelsea, and Knightsbridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Borough of Haringey</span> London borough in United Kingdom

The London Borough of Haringey is a London borough in north London, classified by some definitions as part of Inner London, and by others as part of Outer London. It was created in 1965 by the amalgamation of three former boroughs. It shares borders with six other London boroughs. Clockwise from the north, they are: Enfield, Waltham Forest, Hackney, Islington, Camden, and Barnet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battersea Park</span> Place in London, United Kingdom

Battersea Park is a 200-acre (83-hectare) green space at Battersea in the London Borough of Wandsworth in London. It is situated on the south bank of the River Thames opposite Chelsea and was opened in 1858.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tottenham Hale</span> Human settlement in England

Tottenham Hale is a district of north London and part of the London Borough of Haringey, bounded by the River Lea and located to the south/south-east of Tottenham proper. From 1850 to 1965, it was part of the Municipal Borough of Tottenham, in Middlesex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enfield Chase</span> Human settlement in England

Enfield Chase is an area of Enfield that is named for a former royal hunting ground. It comprises the majority of the open countryside within the London Borough of Enfield, and land north of the M25 within Hertfordshire. At the time of a survey by Francis Russell in 1776-7, the Chase extended from Monken Hadley in the west to Bulls Cross in the east, and from Potters Bar to Southgate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parliamentary constituencies in London</span>

The region of Greater London, including the City of London, is divided into 75 parliamentary constituencies which are sub-classified as borough constituencies, affecting the type of electoral officer and level of expenses permitted. Since the general election of July 2024, 59 are represented by Labour MPs, 9 by Conservative MPs, 6 by Liberal Democrat MPs, and 1 by an independent MP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walking in London</span>

Walking is a popular recreational activity in London, despite traffic congestion. There are many streets that provide interesting walks, especially within historic central London. In addition there are attractive commons, parks, canals, and disused railway tracks that provide space for walks. This includes Wimbledon Common, Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath, and the eight Royal Parks: Hyde Park, Regent's Park, Richmond Park, etc. In recent years access to canals and rivers, including the Regent's Canal, and the River Thames has been greatly improved, and as well a number of long-distance walking routes have been created that link green spaces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Southwark</span>

The London Borough of Southwark, occupying a roughly triangular area south of Tower Bridge over the River Thames, considers itself to be one of the greenest boroughs in London, with its 245 hectares of public parkland. There are more than 130 such green areas, ranging from the large areas around Dulwich and Southwark Park in Rotherhithe to the many sports grounds and squares. The main ones are:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets</span>

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets, in spite of being close to the centre of London and perhaps retaining the idea of it being the docklands area, has over 100 areas of parks and open spaces within its boundaries. These range from the huge to small gardens and squares. In common with all the London boroughs, these green spaces provide "lungs" for the leisure pursuits of the inhabitants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Hackney</span>

The London Borough of Hackney, one of the inner London boroughs, has 62 parks, gardens and open spaces within its boundaries, totalling 330 ha. These provide the "green lungs" for leisure activities. Hackney Marshes contain the largest concentration of football pitches in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Islington</span>

The London Borough of Islington is short of large parks and open spaces, given its status in recent decades as a desirable place of residence. In fact, Islington has the lowest ratio of open space to built-up areas of any London borough. The largest continuous open space in the borough, at 11.75 hectares, is Highbury Fields.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parks and open spaces in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames</span>

The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames is located along a stretch of the River Thames where the Hogsmill River joins the former at the town of Kingston. The Borough contains over 30 parks, 24 playgrounds, sports grounds and open spaces. There are also over 20 allotments sites which are either self-managed or run by the local council. An assessment conducted in 2006 identified 165 hectares of park and 340 hectares of other open spaces in the borough.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham</span>

The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, an Inner London borough, has 231 hectares of parks and open spaces that are accessible to the general public, 159 hectares being within parks and 52.5 hectares within cemeteries and churchyards. Wormwood Scrubs and Scrubs Wood, located in the north of the Borough account for 42 hectares and Fulham Palace and Bishop's Park grounds contain another 14 hectares of open space. Private open space includes Hurlingham, Fulham and Queen's Club in West Kensington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Wandsworth</span>

The inner London borough of Wandsworth contains some 670 hectares of green space in the form of parks, commons, allotments and cemeteries, which is the largest amount for an Inner London borough. Central London borders some of the borough's boundary with the Thames the closest park to which is Battersea Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Squares in London</span>

Squares have long been a feature of London and come in numerous identifiable forms. The landscaping spectrum of squares stretches from those with more hardscape, constituting town squares —to those with communal gardens, for which London is a major international exponent, known as garden squares. London's largest privately-owned square is Vincent Square, in Westminster, which comprises 13 acres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ravenscourt Park</span> Park in Hammersmith, London

Ravenscourt Park or RCP is an 8.3 hectares public park and garden located in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, England. It is one of the Borough's flagship parks, having won a Green Flag Award. Stamford Brook and Ravenscourt Park tube stations are close by.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Royal Parks</span> Collection of parks originally owned by the royal family

The Royal Parks make up land that was originally used for the recreation, mostly hunting, by the royal family. They are part of the hereditary possessions of The Crown, now managed by The Royal Parks, a charity which manages eight royal parks and certain other areas of parkland in London. The Royal Parks charity was created as a company limited by guarantee in March 2017 and officially launched in July 2017. Its chief executive is Andrew Scattergood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wandsworth Park</span> Public Park in London, United Kingdom

Wandsworth Park is a Grade II listed public urban park on the banks of the River Thames in the London Borough of Wandsworth, situated between Putney and Wandsworth town centres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Putney Lower Common Cemetery</span> Public park and old cemetery in Putney, London

Putney Lower Common Cemetery is a cemetery on the edge of the London Borough of Wandsworth between Putney and Barnes town centres.

References

  1. ↑ "London 'greenest city' in Europe". edie.net.
  2. ↑ "47 per cent of London is green space: time for a national park?" . The Independent. September 25, 2014. Archived from the original on 2022-05-25.
  3. ↑ https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmhansrd/vo020207/text/20207w18.htm, Hansard. Written answers for 7 Feb 2002. URL accessed on 17 July 2009.
  4. ↑ "Richmond Park | The Royal Parks". www.royalparks.org.uk. 2023-08-16. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
  5. ↑ "Bushy Park | The Royal Parks". www.royalparks.org.uk. 2023-08-16. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
  6. ↑ "The Regent's Park & Primrose Hill | The Royal Parks". www.royalparks.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
  7. ↑ "Hyde Park | The Royal Parks". www.royalparks.org.uk. 2023-09-11. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
  8. ↑ "Kensington Gardens | The Royal Parks". www.royalparks.org.uk. 2023-08-21. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
  9. ↑ "Greenwich Park | The Royal Parks". www.royalparks.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
  10. ↑ "St. James's Park | The Royal Parks". www.royalparks.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
  11. ↑ "The Green Park | The Royal Parks". www.royalparks.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
  12. ↑ "Your garden square and you" Archived 2006-07-11 at the Wayback Machine , Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, UK. URL accessed 20 June 2006.
  13. ↑ "Tower Hamlets Council > Leisure and culture > Parks and open spaces > Parks > Victoria Park > Visitor information". web page. Tower Hamlets Council. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  14. ↑ "Wandsworth Battersea Park". web page. Wandsworth Council. 2013. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  15. ↑ "Brockwell Park". Lambeth Council. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  16. ↑ "Forestry Commission News Release No. 1656, 1.6 MILLION MORE TREES PROMISED FOR THE EAST OF LONDON". Forestry Commission. 28 October 1998. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  17. ↑ "Epping Forest You & Your Dog" (PDF). brichure. City of London. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-04. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  18. ↑ "LTGDC launches vision for London Riverside". Invest Britain UK regional development and inward investment. 19 April 2008. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  19. ↑ "Wimbledon & Putney Commons facts and figures". 2007. Archived from the original on 28 August 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  20. ↑ David Bentley (12 February 2010). "City of London Hampstead Heath". City of London. Archived from the original on 13 May 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  21. ↑ "Walthamstow Wetlands | Visit Walthamstow Wetlands". www.walthamstow-wetlands.org.uk. Retrieved 2015-10-27.
  22. ↑ "Mitcham Common". Mitcham Common Conservators. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  23. ↑ "Parks & Gardens UK, Trent Park, Enfield, England". web page. Parks & Gardens Data Services Ltd. 15 August 2009. Archived from the original on 26 February 2012. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  24. ↑ "Essex/Greater London Site Name: Hainault Forest" (PDF). Natural England. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  25. ↑ "London's heaths and commons". visitlondon.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  26. ↑ "Park | Gunnersbury". www.visitgunnersbury.org.
  27. ↑ "South Norwood Country Park - Children's Play Area Design and Access Statement" (PDF). Croydon Council. 27 February 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  28. ↑ Greater London Authority - London's strategic open space network Archived 2008-04-09 at the Wayback Machine
  29. ↑ "Mayfield Lavender". Archived from the original on 2008-05-30.
  30. ↑ "Carshalton Lavender".
  31. ↑ "FAQs". London National Park City.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.