When you’ve spent a fair amount of time in the middle of the hustle and bustle of a big city like London, sometimes you feel like getting away to somewhere greener, somewhere that’s a contrast to the concrete jungle.
The Serpentine Lake at Hyde Park
I’ve put together this guide to three parks in central London to help visitors find somewhere to relax in the big city. These three parks are great for taking a day off sightseeing or shopping, I’ve also included some tips on staying in London rooms near these parks.
St. James’s Park
The oldest park in Westminster is St. James’s Park, which is also the most central of all the parks in London. It’s easy to get to, with three stops on the London underground within a stone’s throw of the park. St. James’s Park holds a lot of history, originally purchased by Henry VIII when it was simply marshland, the area has undergone many different changes under different rulers.
The park itself is also only a short walk from the city centre, so you may find yourself here if you’re exploring the area on foot. With views of Buckingham Palace, a lake with two islands and a lot of history behind it, St. James’s Park is well worth a visit.
Hyde Park
Spending a few hours exploring Hyde Park is great for taking a break from the London city life, the Serpentine Lake is one of the standout features, but there is a number of other interesting sights to be discovered too.
The surrounding area around Hyde Park is well worth taking a stroll around, the park is also popular with joggers. You could even stay in one of the Hyde Park apartments for a couple of days, this gives you a better base for exploring the area.
Green Park
In contrast to the monuments, lakes and history surrounding the other parks, Green Park is almost simply that, a green park. The whole park comprises of well-kept turf and trees, with the exception of the Constance Fund Fountain and the Canada Memorial.
Part of the reason why there have not been many statues and other monuments put in Green Park, may be due to the fact that it used to be where St. James’s Hospital buried their Leprosy victims. The park also has ‘secret’ corridors and rooms underneath it, said to have been constructed for use during times of war.
It’s not hard to find some quality accommodation in London, but if you’re from the countryside and can’t hack the buzz and lifestyle of big cities, maybe you could choose to stay somewhere closer to one of these parks than in the city centre.
Whilst you are in the area, you could look for some London hotel and show deals, where you can buy a package that includes accommodation and show tickets at a combined discount. These combo deals can turn out to be a lot cheaper than booking this separately.
