Nine Less Touristy But Wonderful Parks to Visit in London

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All information in this post is accurate as of the publishing date, however it is always best to check timetables, pricing, or opening hours before visiting a destination or venue.

London is an amazing city, there are SO many things to see and do. There are museums, theatres, landmarks, shops and restaurants galore and so along with that, lots of people. While it’s great to experience, it can also get very overwhelming very quickly. This is why having parks dotted around the city is so important just for a quick break. London has so many incredible parks that are worth visiting, but these can also get quite busy. The popular ones like Hyde Park, Regent Park and Battersea Park are always packed with people. We also love Richmond Park, Greenwich park and Hampstead Heath, but they’re quite well known. Because of this, we’ve compiled a list of our nine favourite parks to visit in London that are much less touristy to visit instead.

If you’re spending some time in London and are looking for some tips, we have a lot of blog posts, including less touristy places to visit in London and seeing the best of London for free. We also have a guide to public transport in London, which we’d highly recommend as using public transport is the easiest way to access all the parks to visit in London.

Nine Less Touristy But Wonderful Parks to Visit in London. Ravenscourt park in London. There's a pond with two geese on it and green trees all around it. — One of the best things about London parks is watching the baby birds in spring

In this post:

Chiswick House and Garden
Bishops Park and Fulham Palace
Holland Park
Ravenscourt Park
Wimbledon and Putney Commons
Golders Hills Park
Waterlow Park
Queen’s and Highgate Woods
Victoria Park

Chiswick House and Garden

Located in the west of the city, Chiswick House and Garden is a gorgeous park to visit. The house was completed in 1729. It’s a beautiful example of Neo-Palladian style architecture. It opens to the public from the end of May to the end of September every year. They run tours inside where you can see the old rooms that once hosted Queen Victoria. You can book tours for 10:30am to 3:30pm Thursday to Sunday on their website. An adult ticket is £13.50 and child tickets are £6.50. There are also free guided tours from noon to 1:00pm every Thursday and Saturday that require no advance bookings. There are also free guided tours of the garden every Friday and Sunday from noon to 1:00pm.

The garden and lake date back to the 1700s, and were an attempt to make a Roman garden, which is evident when you visit. It’s free to visit and is open every day from 7am to dusk, which changes time depending on the season. Check their website for the exact closing time for when you’ll be visiting. The garden has large green spaces surrounding the lake, peaceful walks, and manicured gardens to explore. There’s also a kitchen garden that’s free to visit open every Thursday to Sunday from 10:30am to 3:30pm. You can even buy fresh produce from the kitchen garden cart every Thursday and Saturday.

Along with the house and garden, there is also a lovely café open every day and a shop where you can buy gifts. The house and garden also host many events every year including sports camps for kids, exhibitions, bouquet and art workshops and a yearly dog show. Every first Sunday of the month there is also a market that runs from 10:00am to 4:00pm where you can buy arts, crafts, gifts, home wares, street food and drinks. Even if you visit when none of the events are on, the garden is so beautiful and peaceful that it is absolutely one of the best parks to visit in London.

A pond in Chiswick house and garden in London. There's big trees on the other side of the pond and they're reflecting in the pond along with the blue sky above. There's more trees, green bushes and a big green open space with people picnicking on it. Nine Less Touristy But Wonderful Parks to Visit in London — The pond in Chiswick garden

Two trees framing the photo, with purple flowers in the front and manicured green grass behind it in rows. There's more low bushes with bigger trees in the background in Chiswick house and gardens in London. Nine Less Touristy But Wonderful Parks to Visit in London — Part of the manicured garden area

Bishops Park and Fulham Palace

South of the river, right across from Putney are two wonderful little parks along the river. The first is attached to Fulham Palace which, apart from being a very interesting building full of history, also has a great little café. It is open 9:30am to 4:00pm every day and sells hot food as well as drinks and fresh pastries. The Fulham Palace Walled Garden is next to the cafe, and is open every day from 10:15 to 4:15pm. This is a gorgeous little mid-18th century garden to walk around with so much to offer. There are open spaces for picnicking as well as fruit trees, a kitchen garden, bee hives and lots of gorgeous trees and plants.

From Fulham Palace, there is a lovely little walk along the river Thames towards the Fulham Football Club. Right here next to the water is Bishops Park which is another beautiful little park. As well as a big open athletic field, you’ll also find a skate park, a tennis centre and bowling club in the park. There is also a pond area with a nice little walk around it and a sandpit for kids to play in. Along with the Fulham Palace Walled Garden, they make for a gorgeous day out alongside the river Thames.

On the right is a wall of wisteria and on the left is a garden bed with neat green grass between them. Behind are green trees and more neat grass and above is a clear blue sky in the Fulham Palace walled garden in London. Nine Less Touristy But Wonderful Parks to Visit in London — Part of the Fulham Palace walled garden

There's green trees framing the photo, a pond is running through it with a path on the other side. There's green grass and trees behind the path in Bishop's Park, London. Nine Less Touristy But Wonderful Parks to Visit in London — In the beautiful Bishop’s Park

Holland Park

While this is actually a suburb, Holland Park largely surrounds a park with the same name. It is open from 7:30am till it gets dark with exact closing time on the gates. It is free to enter. It’s not a massive park, but is conveniently located right between Kensington and Notting Hill.

In the park you will find a pond and fountain in a manicured Dutch garden, as well as an adventure playground for kids. There’s also the wonderful Kyoto garden created by a Japanese designer, and the nearby Fukushima Garden. For food there is the fancy Italian Belvedere Restaurant, or the cheaper café Daisy Green. There is also lots of open green space and benches to sit on if you want to bring your own picnic. Holland Park also has an open air theatre, Opera Holland Park. Keep an eye out on their website as they have opera and ballet performances, one on ones with artists, and shows all year round.

With lots to do and a mix of more woody and more manicured parts of the park, this makes Holland Park a great break from the busy London life. It’s one of our favourite parks to visit in London!

Inside the Kyoto garden in Holland Park, London. There's small pebbles in the foreground with a pond behind it. There's a maple tree on the pond and a little statue, with more trees and flags behind it. There's also people walking around the pond. Nine Less Touristy But Wonderful Parks to Visit in London — In the Kyoto garden in Holland Park

A white cobblestone path going away from the camera with a little fence on either side in Holland Park, London. There's green trees on either side and it makes a little archway over the path at the end. Nine Less Touristy But Wonderful Parks to Visit in London — A beautiful walkway in the park

Ravenscourt Park

Set between Chiswick House and Gardens and Holland Park is Ravenscourt park. This park opens at 7:30am until dark and is free to enter. While it’s small, there are lots of things to do and see in the park. There’s a beautiful pond, tennis courts, basketball courts and a football pitch. There’s also a cute little walled garden, three playgrounds and a café called The Paddenswick Tea Gardens. Of course there’s a big open space as well where you can picnic and relax. For kids there is a free paddling pool that is free to enter and is open 10:00am to 5:00pm during summer.

Wimbledon and Putney Commons

For a more wild and woody park, head to the south to Wimbledon Commons and Putney Heath. This is a large space with different trails for walking, cycling and horse riding, as well as lots of beautiful ponds. The whole area is classed as a site of special scientific interest and a special area of conservation. It is open every day of the year, 24 hours a day, and is completely free to enter. As well as all the beautiful woody trails, there’s also two golf courses that you might stumble upon so be careful when walking around. Dogs can also be off lead in the commons which is great if you’re a dog owner or lover.

The park has no playgrounds, but does have a café called the Windmill Tearooms. Right next to the tearooms is an old working windmill called the Wimbledon Windmill. It was built in 1817 by a local carpenter and it is now a museum. The museum takes visitors through local history, as well as history of milling and scouting. It is only open from 11:00am to 5:00pm every Sunday during the summer, but it is free to visit! There are also lots of great events in the park such as open days, Halloween and Easter hunts, and Christmas carols. You can check out the events page here to see what’s happening all year round.

Krissie in a purple jumper walking down a dirt path towards the camera in Wimbledon and Putney Commons in London. Around the dirt path are low green bushes. Above the path are tall trees forming an archway over the path. Nine Less Touristy But Wonderful Parks to Visit in London — We loved how woody these commons are

Some grass in the foreground with a café behind it in Wimbledon and Putney Commons in London. There's a dirt path between the café and the grass with people walking on it and the sky above is grey and cloudy. Nine Less Touristy But Wonderful Parks to Visit in London — The Windmill Tearooms

Golders Hill Park

Up north right next to Hampstead Heath is a great little park that gets missed by most tourists. It is called Golders Hill park and it has so many wonderful things about it. The northern part of the park is more manicured with tennis courts, a beautiful walled garden and ponds. There’s also a deer enclosure and a park zoo that has cool animals such as lemurs, wildcats, donkeys, wallabies and even kookaburras. There’s a great café that has a little ice cream stand in the summer and big open spaces to sit and play games.

The southern part of the park is more woody and wild, with lots of paths to walk around under the trees. The highlight is the Hill Garden and Pergola which is a beautiful and hidden garden. It is open every day of the year from 8:30am, with closing times varying depending on the time of year. You can find the specific opening times for when you’ll be visiting here. Built over time in the 1900s, the park is built on the grounds of an old house turned hospital. There are lots of great parts, including a 230 meter long pergola. There’s also a stone bridge, a pond, and lots of garden beds with beautiful plants. It’s a great place to wander around and is usually very quiet which makes it another one of the great parks to visit in London.

In Golders Hill Park in London. In the foreground is a bush and behind it is a pond with more bushes behind it. There's dead brown grass with some benches and a big tree behind the pond too. Nine Less Touristy But Wonderful Parks to Visit in London — In Golders Hill Park

The Hill Garden and Pergola in London. There's a brick pergola on the left with archways and a walkway above. There's a path below with lots of plants and trees around. Nine Less Touristy But Wonderful Parks to Visit in London — In the Hill Garden and Pergola

Waterlow Park

Located in the north of London, Waterlow park is very close to Hampstead Heath. It used to belong to a man named Sydney Waterlow, however he passed it onto the council in 1889. The park is open from 7:30am to around 7:30 or 8:00pm every day but check their website when you’re visiting for exact times. It is a gorgeous park with three ponds, a rose garden, tennis courts and an open field. It’s not a huge park but it is a lovely place to wander around and has a nice view back to London as it is up on a hill. There are also lots of events run in Waterlow park such as concerts, shows and plant sales.

Situated in the park but not related to it is Lauderdale house. This was built in 1582 for the current lord mayor of London but was donated to the council in 1882 by the then owner, Mr Waterlow. The building is now an arts centre with frequent exhibitions, shows, markets and workshops, and can also be hired privately. It also has a café with lots of lovely cakes and drinks and is a great place to stop while you’re wandering through the park. The café is open 9:00am to 5:00pm and from 9:30am on the weekends.

A white path curving around with some wooden benches on it in Waterlow Park, London. There's green grass around the bath and lots of bushes and trees behind it. Peeking through those trees is Lauderdale house. Nine Less Touristy But Wonderful Parks to Visit in London — Lauderdale House in Waterlow Park

A path leading away from the camera to a wooden gazebo down the hill a bit in Waterlow park, London. There's big trees over the path with orange and yellow leaves. Nine Less Touristy But Wonderful Parks to Visit in London — Waterlow Park in the autumn

Queen’s and Highgate Woods

Not far from Hampstead Heath and Waterlow Park, Queen’s and Highgate Woods are two beautiful woodlands. They were part of the Forest of Middlesex and are now two of the four ancient woods in the Borough of Haringey. They are full of beautiful trees and bushes, with paths winding around underneath and between them. Queen’s Wood is mostly untouched, with no playgrounds or sport fields in it and only one pond. Whereas Highgate Woods next door has a sports field and cricket club, outdoor gyms, a playground and a public toilet.

Both woodlands also have one café each, in Highgate Woods this is the Pavilion Café. It is open from 8:00am to 4:00pm every day and is right on the edge of the sports field. It has indoor and outdoor seating and serves baked goods and drinks as well as proper food like sandwiches and soup. Across the road in Queen’s wood is the Queen’s Wood Café which is a gorgeous little place open 9:00am to 6:00pm every day. They sell light meals, desserts, pastries, smoothies and other drinks. There’s indoor and outdoor seating and it’s a really peaceful little place among the trees. As well as serving delicious food, they also host exhibitions, retreats and activities in their cabin behind the café. They also have a community garden whose produce goes into the food they serve and where they host garden workshops.

While most parks in London are popular in the spring and summer, Highgate and Queen’s Woods are amazing in the autumn. Because they are so woody, they become a beautiful array of colours as the weather starts to cool. They are probably our favourite parks to visit in London during the autumn.

A wooded path in Highgate Wood in London. There's orange leaves on the ground, lots of trees overhead, a little brown chair on the right and a path going through the trees. Nine Less Touristy But Wonderful Parks to Visit in London — We love the vibe of Highgate wood

Queen's Wood Café in Queenswood, London. It's a cute little wooden and stone café with pointed rooves and fairy lights. There's people sitting out the front and green trees all around. Nine Less Touristy But Wonderful Parks to Visit in London — The very cute Queens Wood Café

Victoria Park

In the east of London, Victoria Park is a large park that sees over 9 million visitors every year. It is open from 7:00am to dusk every day of the year, with specific closing times on the gates to the park. A lot of the park is big open spaces where people can exercise and sit and picnic. There’s some manicured parts such as the old English garden, a rose garden and three ponds, one with an island you can walk on. There’s a couple of playgrounds for kids including a splash pool that is open 11:00am to 5:00pm every day between the end of May and the start of September. For sports fans, the park has tennis courts, football fields, cricket pitches, a skate park, a bowls club and an outdoor gym.

In Victoria Park there is a bandstand that hosts free concerts in the summer. For food, there are three cafe’s, one on the edge of a pond and one next to a playground. If you are visiting on the weekend, there are two fabulous food markets held every weekend to check out. They’re both located along a pedestrian street which you can find the exact location of on their website. On Saturday from 11:00am to 5:00pm you will find street food as well as desserts, drinks, and live music. On Sundays from 10:00am to 4:00pm you will find all of that as well as fresh produce. It’d be a great place to wander around, get some food, then explore the beautiful park. The lively vibe of the park when the markets are on is what makes this one of our favourite parks to visit in London.

Two geese on a blue pond with orange and green trees behind it in Victoria Park, London. On the right is a little café with lots of people sitting around it and around the water. Nine Less Touristy But Wonderful Parks to Visit in London — One of the beautiful ponds in the park

An outdoor market in Victoria Park, London. On the right of the path are market stalls in different colours selling bread and fruit. On the left are tables and chairs with people sitting at them and more market stalls behind them. There's also trees above the path and the sky is blue. Nine Less Touristy But Wonderful Parks to Visit in London — Part of the Sunday food market

Final Thoughts

There really are so many wonderful parks to visit in London, without visiting the touristy ones. In all corners of the city, you will find small, manicured gardens with gorgeous cafes such as Bishop’s, Holland, Ravenscourt and Waterlow Parks. Or large hidden woody parks such as Queen’s Wood Park, Highgate Wood and Wimbledon and Putney Commons. There’s also parks with fun things such as Golders Hill park zoo and the hill garden and pergola. As well as some parks with fantastic markets such as Chiswick House and Garden and Victoria Park. There’s so much to see and enjoy in the various parks in London and whichever ones you get to, you will be sure to have a lovely time.

If you want to see some of the parks we’ve visited in London (along with everything else we get up to here), you can check out our London playlist on our YouTube channel: