Page 56 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London

54  INTRODUCING L ONDON

Exploring Parks and Gardens
London has one of the the world’s greenest city centres,
full of tree-filled squares and grassy parks. From the intimacy
of the Chelsea Physic Garden to the wild, open spaces of
Hampstead Heath, every London park has its own charm and
character. For those looking for a specific outdoor attraction –
such as sports, wildlife or flowers – here are some of the most
interesting London parks.

Park. Kensington Gardens’
Flower Gardens flower walk has an exemplary
The British are famed for their English mixed border. There is
gardens and love of flowers also a delightful small 17th- Colourful flowerbeds at St James’s Park
and this is reflected in several century garden at the Museum
of London’s parks. Really keen of Garden History. their 18th-century statuary
gardeners will find all they Battersea Park also has a and pavilions. Other restored
ever wanted to know at Kew charming flower garden. gardens include 17th-century
Gardens and the Chelsea Indoor gardeners should head Ham House, and Osterley
Physic Garden, which is to the Barbican Centre’s well- Park, whose 18th-century
especially strong on herbs. stocked conservatory. layout was retraced through
Closer to the centre of town, the art of dowsing. Fenton
St James’s Park boasts some Formal Gardens House has a really fine walled
spectacular flowerbeds, filled garden; Kenwood, with its
with bulbs and bedding plants, The most spectacular formal woodland area, is less formal.
which are changed every garden is at Hampton Court, The sunken garden at
season. Hyde Park sports a which has a network of Kensington Palace has a
magnificent show of daffodils gardens from different formal layout; Holland Park
and crocuses in the spring, periods, starting with Tudor. has flowers around its statues.
while London’s best rose garden The gardens at Chiswick
is Queen Mary’s in Regent’s House remain dotted with
Restful Corners
London’s squares are cool,
shady retreats, but many are
reserved for key-holders, usually
residents of the surrounding
houses. Of those open to all,
Russell Square is the largest
and most secluded. Berkeley
Square is open but barren.
Green Park offers shady trees
and deck chairs, right in central
London. The Inns of Court
provide some pleasant havens:
Gray’s Inn gardens, Middle
Temple gardens and Lincoln’s
Inn Fields. Grosvenor Square is
St James’s Park, beautiful in springtime one of London’s oldest Georgian

Green London
In Greater London, there
are 1,700 parks covering a total
of 67 sq miles (174 sq km). This
land is home to some 2,000
types of plant and 100 bird
species. Trees help the city to
breathe, manu facturing
oxygen from the polluted air.
Here are just a few of the The London plane, now the The English oak grows all over
species you are most likely most common tree in London, Europe. The Royal Navy used to
to see in London.
grows along many streets. build ships from its wood.

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