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Further Distractions London’s Parks The parkland conurbation of St James’s Park, Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens stretches from Whitehall to Kensington in the west. St James’s Park and Green Park are at the heart of royal and governmental London, cantilevered around Buckingham Palace, while Hyde Park’s Speaker’s Corner is the place for soapbox philosophers to harangue passers-by. Kensington Gardens contains the delightful Serpentine Gallery (tel: (020) 7402 6075; website: www.serpentinegallery.org), as well as the glittering Albert Memorial. Regent’s Park, just north of Oxford Circus, is home to London Zoo (tel: (020) 7722 3333; website: www.londonzoo.com), while immediately next door is Primrose Hill, with a fabulous view and chic village atmosphere. Of the many other parks in London, two are huge but further out – Hampstead Heath in north London and Richmond Park in south London. Hampstead Heath boasts acres of natural parkland, the 18th-century Kenwood House (website: www.english-heritage.org.uk), numerous bathing ponds and another fantastic view over the capital. Richmond Park is the largest open space in London, first enclosed as a hunting park by King Charles I in 1637, it still boasts deer. St James’ Park The Mall, Horse Guard’s Road and Birdcage Walk, SW1 Tel: (020) 7930 1793. Website: www.royalparks.gov.uk Transport: London Underground St James’ Park. Opening hours: Daily dawn to dusk. Admission: Free. Green Park Piccadilly, W1, The Mall and Constitution Hill, SW1 Tel: (020) 7930 1793. Website: www.royalparks.gov.uk Transport: London Underground Green Park. Opening hours: Daily dawn to dusk. Admission: Free. Hyde Park Bayswater Road, W2, Park Lane, W1, and Knightsbridge, SW1 Tel: (020) 7298 2100. Website: www.royalparks.gov.uk Transport: London Underground Hyde Park Corner, Marble Arch, Lancaster Gate or Knightsbridge. Opening hours: Daily 0500-2400. Admission: Free. Kensington Gardens Bayswater Road, W2, and Kensington Road, SW7 Tel: (020) 7298 2100. Website: www.royalparks.gov.uk Transport: London Underground Lancaster Gate, Queensway or High Street Kensington. Opening hours: Daily dawn to dusk. Admission: Free. Regent’s Park Prince Albert Road, NW1/NW8, Albany Street, NW1, Marylebone Road, NW1, Park Road, NW8 Tel: (020) 7486 7905. Website: www.royalparks.gov.uk Transport: London Underground Regent’s Park, Great Portland Street, Baker Street, Camden Town or St John’s Wood. Opening hours: Daily 0500 to dusk Admission: Free. Primrose Hill Primrose Hill Road, NW3, Regent’s Park Road, NW1, and Prince Albert Road, NW1/NW8 Tel: (020) 7486 7905. Website: www.royalparks.gov.uk Transport: London Underground Chalk Farm. Opening hours: Daily 24 hours. Admission: Free. Hampstead Heath East Heath Road, NW3, and Highgate Road, NW5, and others Tel: (020) 7482 7073. Website: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk Transport: London Underground Hampstead, Belsize Park or Highgate; Silverlink Metro Hampstead Heath or Gospel Oak. Opening hours: Daily 24 hours. Admission: Free. Richmond Park Roehampton Vale, SW15, Queens Road, Richmond Tel: (020) 8948 3209. Website: www.royalparks.gov.uk Transport: London Underground/Silverlink Metro to Richmond, then bus 371. Opening hours: Daily dawn to dusk. Admission: Free. Highgate Cemetery Resonating with the ghosts of such luminaries as Karl Marx and George Eliot, Highgate Cemetery is one of London’s most extraordinary places. With some of the finest Victorian funerary architecture in the country, many of the memorials are architecturally listed sites. The East Cemetery is easily accessible and contains Karl Marx’s grave and monumental bust. The West Cemetery contains remarkable Lebanon Circle, formed of 20 family catacombs surrounding an ancient cedar tree, as well as other notable monuments. Visitors can only explore the West Cemetery by booking guided tours in advance. Swains Lane, N6 Tel: (020) 8340 1834. Website: http://highgate-cemetery.org Transport: London Underground Archway or Highgate. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1700, Sat and Sun 1100-1700 (Apr-Oct); until 1800 (Nov-Mar) – East Cemetery only. Admission: £2 (East Cemetery); £3 (West Cemetery standard tour). |
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