Nature in the city: Explore London’s best parks and green spaces

London is one of the greenest cities in Europe, with over 3,000 parks and green spaces. For the busy exam season, Masami has collated some of her favourite places to go to relax in nature and see wildlife.

Exam season can be a challenging period for a lot of us, so it is important to find ways to take care of ourselves. For me, getting into nature is one of the best ways to refresh my mind. Being a student in the middle of a busy city means we might not always get the fresh air that we need unless we go out of our way to do so. I have compiled a list of some of London’s green spaces, with the hope that will it provide ideas on where to take study breaks.

Holland Park

Holland Park – situated in Kensington, West London – offers 55 acres of gardens and areas of woodland with free entry. A popular part of the park is its Japanese-style garden, Kyoto Garden. 

Considering how close Holland Park is to the bustling streets of Kensington, the amount of wildlife it accommodates is impressive: I remember seeing peacocks and many squirrels and birds when I last visited. Located not so far from central London, Holland Park is easy to access from campus by tube. It is a great way to escape the busy city and see some greenery without travelling too far.

Hampstead Heath

Another green space that is easy to reach from campus by tube is Hampstead Heath, an expansive wild park of woodland and meadows located in north London. This free public space spans 790 acres and includes Parliament Hill, one of the highest points in London for a view of the London skyline.

The Heath conserves several species of wildlife such as toads and stag beetles, and it is said to be home to the largest population of hedgehogs in London. There are many types of trees, wildflowers and fungi. Also, in the north-western side of Hampstead Heath is Hampstead Pergola and Hill Garden. The Pergola, surrounded by greenery, is a beautiful Edwardian design. Hampstead Heath is a wonderful place to wander around, explore, and get some fresh air.

Epping Forest

Straddling the border between Greater London and Essex is Epping Forest, a 6000-acre area of ancient woodland, grassland, and other habitats. This is the largest green space on this list. With many lakes and ponds, trees, and wildlife, I would say it is the most accessible place for people living in London to fully immerse themselves in nature. 

I have been a few times with my friends for long walks, and every time it made me feel truly refreshed. It is easy to reach using London’s public transport and has free entry, so I would highly recommend it for a relaxing study break during exam season. Since it is further out and a large area, it works well as a full day out.

Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens is a 300-acre botanic garden in southwest London that houses “the largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the world”. There are various glasshouses, outdoor areas with many trees and flowers, a woodland walk, a lake crossing and more. This is the only green space on this list that is not free to enter, but they do have concessions including one for students. You can get a ticket at the gates, but it is recommended to book online.

Previously I have enjoyed spending almost a full day here since there is so much to see. I took a packed lunch and had it on one of the benches. You can also get lunch from one of the eateries on the garden grounds. Kew Gardens is around an hour away from campus by tube. Given how much you can see and learn there, it is a nice place to take your mind off of other things for a while!

Richmond Park

South of Kew Gardens is Richmond Park, a large park of 2500 acres home to hundreds of deer. A lot of the park’s landscape was created naturally by centuries of grazing deer, but there are also gardens such as the Isabella Plantation – a woodland garden known for its azaleas – and Pembroke Lodge Gardens which offers panoramic views of the London skyline. What I enjoy the most at Richmond Park is taking a walk through its wild landscape, which I find is a great way to refresh my mind.

Barbican Conservatory

If you want to keep dry on rainy days but still enjoy some nature, the Barbican Conservatory is a great option. It is a glass-roofed leafy sanctuary located in central London. It has free entry but make sure you book in advance as it usually gets fully booked fast! I have heard good things about it, so I have been meaning to go for a while! They are currently exhibiting works by Indian sculptor Ranjani Shettar in the conservatory.

Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill

The closest green space to campus on this list is Regent’s Park. It is a popular place in central London for runs, strolls, and picnics. The park is approximately 400 acres and provides a wonderful green space in the middle of London. There are many species of wild birds, bees and butterflies during the warmer seasons, and thousands of native wildflowers. The park also has some gardens: The Queen Mary’s Gardens has a large collection of roses, and next to it is the serene Japanese Garden Island. Primrose Hill, which is linked to Regent’s Park below it, offers a famous view over London. Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill are convenient locations to take a break during exam season. You could also go there straight after an exam to celebrate or relax.

Whether you visit parks in central London such as Regent’s Park, or go further out to Epping Forest or Richmond Park, I hope that you get the greenery that you need. Our brains will function a lot better if we take the time to relax and get fresh air.

Read more tips on getting through exam season

• Tips from a final year student: How I cope with exam season
• How to build effective study habits and prepare for exams

Image credit: Ian Thompson via Unsplash.