As a local, I can’t overstate how important the Royal Parks are to Londoners. They’re our back gardens, our jogging tracks, and our escape hatches when the city’s hustle feels a bit too much. Ask any visitor what they like about London and the answer "I love that there are parks everywhere!" will often rank in their top 3. Here is my take on the 8 Royal Parks that led London to be recognised as the world's first National Park City in July 2019.

🌳 Hyde Park

Probably the most famous of the bunch, Hyde Park’s a massive green lung in central London. With its boating lake (the Serpentine), rose gardens, and the iconic Speaker’s Corner, it’s where the city comes to breathe.

🌳 Kensington Gardens

Technically connected to Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens feel more regal, serene, and curated. Home to Kensington Palace (where royals have actually lived), the Peter Pan statue, and the Italian Gardens, it’s a park with an elegant, storybook vibe. The Serpentine Galleries also offer a dash of modern art tucked among the trees!

🌳 St James's Park

Think of St James’s Park as the royal family’s front yard. It’s wedged between Buckingham Palace and Whitehall, with a blue lake, resident pelicans (yes, pelicans), and some of the best city views (you can spot the London Eye peeking above the trees).

🌳 Green Park

A relatively small, mostly grassy expanse right next to Buckingham Palace. No fancy flower beds or big attractions—just a green carpet to stretch out on, which makes it feel a bit more low-key than some of its showy neighbors. It’s a perfect pit stop if you’ve been marching around central London and need a quiet break.

🌳 Regent's Park and Primrose Hill

Regent's Park is a large, elegant park known for its rose garden, open-air theatre, and the London Zoo at its northern edge. Just above it, Primrose Hill offers one of the best panoramic views of the city’s skyline and visiting at sunset is basically a local rite of passage.

🌳 Greenwich Park

Perched atop a hill in south-east London, Greenwich Park offers fantastic views over the river and Canary Wharf and is also home to the Royal Observatory where you can straddle the Prime Meridian line. The neighborhood’s maritime history (the Cutty Sark, National Maritime Museum) will keep you busy for an entire day!

🌳 Richmond Park

Richmond Park is the biggest of the Royal Parks and essentially a giant deer reserve in south-west London. It doesn’t feel like a city park at all, more like a wild, rolling landscape that makes you forget that you’re anywhere near a capital city. If you’re looking for a quiet, rustic escape, Richmond delivers and on a misty morning, it’s downright magical!

🌳 Bushy Park

Just north of Hampton Court Palace, Bushy Park has wide open spaces, ponds, herds of deer, and that lovely “let’s have a family picnic” vibe. It’s more understated than Richmond Park, but similarly wild and spacious. It's perfect for families with kids who need space to run around, anyone craving a quiet Sunday out of the city’s core, and those who love wildlife without the crowds.