London's Royal Parks: Hyde Park, Regents Park & Green Spaces

London has more urban green space per capita than almost any major city — the eight Royal Parks alone cover 5,000 acres of central London. They are free, beautiful and represent one of London's greatest gifts to its residents and visitors.

Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens

London's most famous park and effectively two connecting parks — 350 acres in central London. Speakers' Corner (Sunday morning orators), the Serpentine Lake (rowing boats and open-water swimming at the Serpentine Lido), the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, and the Serpentine Gallery (free contemporary art). The Winter Wonderland Christmas fair transforms the park from November.

Regent's Park

The most formal of the Royal Parks — the Inner Circle contains the magnificent Queen Mary's Rose Garden (12,000 roses, peak June). London Zoo sits on the northern edge. Open Air Theatre performs Shakespeare in summer. Primrose Hill (adjacent, not a Royal Park) offers the finest panoramic London view.

St James's Park

The most central park, between Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. The lake view from the Blue Bridge — framed by the London Eye and Whitehall — is possibly London's most cinematic.