London is one of Europe’s biggest and busiest cities, so having a park close to where you live is essential. Thankfully, London has an abundance of parks. In fact, 47% of the city is made up of green spaces so there’s plenty to choose from depending on where you’re located.
However, I currently live in Greenwich in South East London, so I’m going to concentrate on parks in South London. They range from little neighbourhood leafy squares to sprawling parks that span acres and acres. Wherever you are, you don’t have to travel too far to enjoy green space.
I’ve been trying to entice my friends who live north of the Thames to visit me more, but they often grumble that it takes too long. Maybe if I can’t convince them, the parks will. Wherever you are, these handpicked parks are worth travelling for wherever you live in London.
So whether you just want to relax and soak up the rays, walk the dog or fancy a picnic and a few beers with friends, here are the best parks in South London for the occasion.
Greenwich Park
I live right next to Greenwich Park, so I’ll kick off with the one I know best. I also happen to think it’s the best! (Plenty of people agree with me. I promise, I’m not being biased).
First of all, it’s super pretty, with its exceptional views across London. You can’t beat it. The plethora of historic buildings as a unique touch. The park includes the Queen’s House, National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory.
Secondly, it’s huge. You can spend the whole day exploring the rolling vistas and many attractions of Greenwich Park. The thing I love most is its oldie-worldie vibe and peaceful atmosphere (though it can get very busy on the weekends I should say).
I suggest you grab a selection of things to eat at Greenwich Market before walking up through the park to the stunning Flower Garden. Here, at the top, you can enjoy your edible treats and bask in the beautiful flowers in bloom.
There are several entrances to Greenwich Park but the main entrance at St. Mary’s Gate is located at King’s William Walk, Greenwich, SE10
The Heath (Blackheath)
If you exit out of the top gates of Greenwich Park, it will lead to Blackheath. Here, you can enjoy the Heath, 275 acres of open green space surrounded by quaint cafes to the south. It’s super charming. There’s not a skyscraper in sight. It’s hardly feels like London. So much so, it feels like you’ve been transported back in time.
Some people believe the Heath was a mass burial ground for victims of the Black Death. A plague which claimed hundreds of millions of lives across Asia and Europe between 1346 – 1353.
However, historians found the name recorded in 1166 as Blachehedfeld which means ‘dark or black heath field’, suggesting that Blackheath takes its name from the colour of the ground during that period. The truth isn’t as morbid as the myth.
Since the Heath is pretty big, I’ll provide the address to the church which is the main landmark of the area: All Saints Dr, Blackheath, London SE3 0TY
Charlton Park
Still within the Borough of Greenwich, you will also find the lovely Charlton Park. Compared to Greenwich Park, it’s not as big and fancy and therefore usually tends to draw in local residences. However, Charlton Park is great and has a number of gardens to explore.
Of particular interest is the Peace Garden. A small but neatly kept garden that was opened in conjunction with Amnesty International. Lastly, it feels particularly charming if you enter via the front entrance which overlooks the rather grand Charlton House (pictured above). I’ve yet to go inside, but it’s opened everyday except Sundays. You can read more about opening times and what’s inside here.
Charlton Park is at 21 Cemetery Ln, SE7 8DZ
Lesnes Abbey Woods
Definitely the most underrated one on this list is Lesnes Abbey Woods, despite it also being among the best. In fact, ask most people in London if they’ve heard of this place, and they probably haven’t.
Perhaps this is due to its location. It’s a bit further out in a more residential area. However, the park combined with the woods and abbey ruins is worth the trip especially if you’ve got children in tow. While exploring this area, don’t forget to look out for the quirky tree carvings.
Adding to the list of interesting things to do is a dig around the fossil pit. Lesnes Abbey Woods is a Site of Special Scientific Interest containing fossils from the Eocene Epoch (54.5 million years ago). I took my young cousins and they found a number of shark teeth. Cool, eh? I had a blast, but they especially did!
Lesnes Abbey Woods, New Road, London, SE2 0AX
Dulwich Park
Dulwich is surely one of the prettiest areas of South London. It’s home to an eclectic variety of cafes, leafy streets and high-end shops, so you can expect a lovely park too. During warmer months the big draw is the lake, where pedalos can be rented for a fun human-powered journey over the water.
It’s great for families too, home to a large children’s play park and there’s also an area with outdoor fitness equipment which is a way better alternative than being cooped up in a gym when the sun is shining.
Whilst you’re here, the nearby Dulwich Picture Gallery is certainly worth a visit to see the collection of stunning art work. It’s the oldest art gallery in the UK and free to enter too.
Dulwich Park is in SE21, and you can enter via College Road, Dulwich Common, Court Lane, and Dulwich Village
Crystal Palace Park
Home to the actual Crystal Palace that housed the Great Exhibition of 1851, before it burnt down in 1936 by a huge fire. Luckily, the park is still home to Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins’s dinosaurs which survived and they have recently undergone a restoration so they look better than ever.
You won’t find anything else like them in London. They are super quirky and really hold a lot of historical value since they are the earliest representations of dinosaurs in the UK. However, they are not what you would call accurate but somehow are more charming for it! (If like these dinosaurs you definitely also like the ones found at Knebworth House).
The park has several other attractions, including a maze, boating lake, an orangery, play park, cafe and a sports centre. It’s a large park, and some areas are more well-maintained than others, but there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Crystal Palace Park is at Thicket Rd, SE20 8DT
Tip: Be sure to check out the stunning architecture of Crystal Palace Subway.
Brockwell Park
I think Brockwell Park is somewhat underrated. Maybe that’s a good thing because you’ll never find it too overcrowded. It has many pathways and a walled garden and kids’ playground, as well as a cafe and, of course, the fabulous Art Deco Lido.
It also offers great views of the London skyline and Streatham Hill. It’s a big park, that hosts a few festivals throughout the year, and is also home to the annual Lambeth County Show.
Brockwell Park is at Norwood Road, SE24 9BJ
Battersea Park
Battersea Park is possibly my third favourite park in South London after my beloved Greenwich Park and of course, Richmond Park (it’s coming up on the list). It has a variety of landscape gardens with stunning flowers and trees draped in blossom during the warmer months. But really this park is stunning all year round with its diverse range of flora and fauna.
You’ll spot a lot of dog walkers. This might have something to do with being close to the famous Battersea Dogs Home. It’s also super easy to reach, set in a perfect location right by the Thames and just a short walk across the bridge from Chelsea.
I’ve walked to Battersea Park from London Bridge many times, and it’s a beautiful walk, passing notable monuments like the Parliament Building. I need to write a blog about this Thames walk, but in the meanwhile, you might like to read about the walk from Greenwich to Tower Bridge along the Thames Path.
The best way to relax and truly experience the park and is to sit on the steps of the Battersea Peace Pagoda (gifted to Londoners by the founder of the Japanese Buddhist movement). From this vantage point you can watch boats passing along the Chelsea Embankment.
Battersea Park is at Albert Bridge Road, SW11 4NJ
Clapham Common
The large triangular park is located in the middle of the busy urban roads of Clapham, and the Common is one of the most popular parks in South London with some great sport facilities.
It always has plenty on, from one day festivals to football tournaments. The lake is beautiful – and there’s also the nearby Tooting Bec Lido for a dip during summer. Come winter and the adventure park Winterville opens, so all in all, Clapham Common is a hit with Londoners all year round.
Clapham common is at Windmill Drive, SW4 9DE
Richmond Park
The largest of the capital’s eight Royal Parks and the biggest enclosed space in London. You could easily get lost in Richmond Park. Although they call it a park, it’s more like a vast expanse of wilderness.
Remember when I said my love for Greenwich Park wasn’t at all biased? Well that might not be entirely true. If I think long and hard about this, Richmond Park might just deserve to take top spot for the best park, not just in South London, but the whole of London. I love Greenwich Park so that’s no easy to admit!
It’s teeming with rich flora and fauna and today deer are still roaming around the park freely taking little notice of the visitors.
A perfect way to explore Richmond Park is to rent a bike from Parkcycle and just let your inner kid run riot. Don’t forget to visit Isabella Plantations too!
Further reading
If you still can’t muster up the desire to head to South London (shame on you), then how about visiting parks in East London?
And here’s another post I wrote about the best parks in London – covering north, south, east and west!
