CARLY-ANN CLEMENTS, APRIL 2018
After hibernating indoors, getting out into the wild can be more difficult than you expect. Know what helps? A pretty landscape and a bunch of new followers. Here are London’s most Instagram-worthy parks to visit this spring.
1. Holland ParkThe relatively small park near Notting Hill is full of beautiful landscaped gardens, ornate sculptures and peacocks. Yes, live peacocks roam the park freely, along with the usual wildlife you’d expect. You won’t only have colourful land birds to snap, Holland Park is also the home of Kyoto Gardens – a Japanese-inspired garden with a rocky waterfall and hundreds of koi carp. Spending a couple of hours walking around the park will provide you with enough Instagram snaps for week.
2. Victoria Park If you can only visit one park while in London, make it Victoria Park. The huge public spacein East London is often used for outdoor concerts and festivals. But when it’s not filled with revellers, there’s a lot to see. The park is sat on a canal that’s utilised by many houses boats. On the west side, you’ll find a huge lake filled with fountains, rental boats and statues. You’ll also find a Chinese Pagoda, memorial statues, a maze, and a skatepark. It’s also great for little ones with the V&A playground, an outdoor kiddie pool, and adventure play areas to keep them entertained. For the big kids, People Parks Tavern – complete with colour-filled mini golf course and a bright beer garden which will make your summer ‘gramming on point. Plus, on Sundays, there’s a farmers’ market with loads of food that’ll get your followers gagging with envy.
3. Hyde ParkLondon’s biggest and probably most-famous park is more than a good picnic spot. Within the main park, you’ll find everything from sporting grounds to smaller parks. You can rent boats or even swim in The Serpentine – a large lake running through the middle of the park. You’ll also find tennis courts and horse riding facilities. It’s also the home of the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, Speakers’ Corner, and a rose garden. Though it’s technically no longer part of Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens sits within Hyde Park. There are so many Insta-worthy things to capture in Kensington Gardens including The Albert Memorial, the Diana Memorial Playground, The Italian Gardens, and Elfin Oak will earn you hearts for days.
4. Regents ParkTucked in Regents Park is the world-famous ZSL London Zoo. Enough reason to visit the park. But if you’re not in the market for a trek around the concrete jungle – which in itself is an Instagram haven – Regents Park has a lot to offer. It’s full of bright, colourful gardens, impressive statues, and a boating lake. Plus, just north of the park is Primrose Hill, a place steeped in history and the ideal place to capture the city peeking over a sea of trees. Climb the grassy hill and watch the day turn into night for another incredible landscape.
5. Greenwich ParkThough Greenwich Park is predominately filled with large grassy hills, it’s also historically significant. With the Royal Observatory and Greenwich Palace, you’ll have plenty to talk about on your social channels while visiting. But if grand buildings and the Meridian line aren’t enough, there’s more. You’ll find the Herbaceous Border and The Queen’s Orchard next to the palace, while on the south-eastern side, you’ll find The Wilderness Deer Park where, you guessed it, there are live deer. And if you still want more, the Old Royal Naval College is a short walk away.
