Best London Parks for a Picnic

London is spoilt for choice when it comes to green spaces - you’ll find a great range of parks for picnicing in right across the city. One of the most famous parks in London is Hyde Park - here you can rent a boat, and enjoy the lake, hire a deck chair and relax or visit the acclaimed Serpentine Gallery with free outdoor exhibitions that are reimagined annually. If you’re feeling adventurous you can even take a dip in the Serpentine Lido, London’s most iconic ‘open water’ swimming location! Or if you’d rather spectate, there’s a lovely cafe right on the banks. Hyde Park connects to Kensington Gardens and onto Green Park, which connects to St James’s Park so you can wander for hours if the weather permits!

Regents Park is home to London Zoo - you don’t have to go in to see the animals, stroll past the perimeter fence to see giraffes’ heads poking over the fences! Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre - often great performances in the lovely, atmospheric, outdoor setting. Celebrity-filled Primrose Hill - a delightful ‘village’ vibe on the way to/from Camden with a large park with great views of the city.

If you’re on the east side of the city, try London Fields and check out nearby Netil Market or Broadway Market for artisanal shops, great coffee and picnic supplies as well as a very popular lido if you fancy a swim!

Day trips

Once you’ve mastered the picnic you can take it anywhere! Jump on a train and head to the beach town of Brighton to try traditional British seaside resort treats of ‘rock’ along with your fish and chips and ice cream!

You can very easily build your own picnic and head off to a park for the afternoon; many of the parks are interconnected so you can walk for miles within the city almost right down to the river. While there are cafes in the parks, I’d definitely recommend you DIY and you can get a reusable cool bag easily at most of these stores:

• Marks & Spencer or Pret-a-Manger sandwiches! - These are national institutions, especially ‘M&S’ or ‘Marks and Sparks’ as it’s affectionately known! Great for a quick bite for lunch along with other great chains like Leon, Itsu and Waitrose supermarket.

• Great foodie-focused markets to DIY lunch from across the city

• Harrods, Selfridges or Fortnum & Mason food halls for the fancy version!

• Fish & Chips are a great park food and there are so many to choose from in London. The Mayfair Chippy offers an elevated experience and the Golden Hinde for a more classic ‘chippy’ experience. Regardless of where you go, you have to have mushy peas with your chips and plenty of malt vinegar and tartar sauce.

• Ice Creams as you stroll are a must for dessert and you have to try a ‘99’ with a Cadbury’s flake in it. You can find this in any park with an ice cream van or stand.