London can be very cold in the winter months and a little dreary, but if you are travelling there during summer or spring it definitely is more cheerful and welcoming. You will never be worried about what to do, it is one of the most fast-paced and action-packed cities I have ever travelled to. London’s rich history is displayed with affection through the buildings, churches and monuments of great age shown victoriously throughout the streets. If you take to the streets on foot you will stumble upon something of historical worth and there is always a cobblestoned alleyway, historical ruins or a secret walkway to be discovered regardless of which direction you choose to take.

London isn’t all bricks and stone though. The grey gets hijacked by green and colour at surprising corners bringing balance and calm to the noise and rush of the city. The gardens and parks of London are some of the best in the world with many of them having free access. Taking the children to one of the larger parks makes for a great day out especially if you pack a picnic. But even if it’s a just a short stroll along a canal or taking a moment to watch the squirrels play in the trees, sometimes a break from the throng of people in exchange for nature can brighten the day. These parks are some of my favourites.

Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens

A close proximity to many of London’s greatest attractions Hyde Park is an impressive expanse of greenery filled with everything a park should have and be. Monumental trees lining attractive paths, charming gardens, a lake, and lovely places to sit, and watch the world go by. Hyde Park is extensive, covering 350 acres. With Kensington Gardens lying next to it you have over 600 acres to make your way through. Kensington Palace sits in the middle of the gardens, which is a wonderful place to visit if you have a princess or royal enthusiast in the family. My favourite place though is the Peter Pan playground, also more formally known as Diana, Princess of Wales’ memorial playground. It features a large ship for the kids to climb and explore, teepees and water-play. Much of it is set in sand and it is designed to be accessible for children of all abilities.

Hampton Court Palace Gardens

I love Hampton Court Palace, it is rich with history and has much for the children to learn and explore. One of the best features of Hampton Court Palace though is the impressive gardens. It is are beautifully manicured and pristine and features carefully designed paths for you to follow and explore. The most alluring for children though is the extensive maze which is the oldest known maze in history. There is also a magical playground filled with wonderful things for the children, including a colourful and fearsome dragon to climb, hidden grottos and a moat.

Kew Gardens

This is a wonderful place to visit for young and old alike. Temperate house is the largest glasshouse of it’s kind in the UK and features various exotic plants. There are loads of activities for the children to take part in, and they are currently building a specialised children’s’ play area and discovery centre. One of the most interactive and loved places is ‘The Hive’ is all about bees and their lifespan. It sits 17 metres high and is constructed out of 100’0’s of aluminium parts and LED lights.

Battersea Park

Recently this stunning park had an addition of ‘Go Ape’ which is an obstacle course through the treetops. It is best for over 10 years and is challenging and exciting for all ages. Battersea has a beautiful lake in the middle of the park and offers rowing and pedal boats you can hire. For the little ones, there is the delightful Battersea Park Children’s Zoo. It isn’t huge but there is more than enough to keep the little ones amused for a few hours.

St James Park

A stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace and Westminster, it is always a pleasant break from the noisy traffic on the streets, yet only a minute away from it all. The resident park animals are some of the most friendly you will come across and also the most unique. Squirrels have no issues running up to a passerby for food, and the birds on duck island are plentiful which include ducks, pelicans and geese. There is also a newly refurbished playground which is perfect for those under 10 years.

Richmond Park

An incredibly extensive park, around three times the size of Central Park in New York, Richmond really is an entity. Filled with wildlife which freely roam around the park- coming across a herd of wild deer can be quite an enchanting moment for the younger ones. Cycling through the park makes for a lovely day out with he family. You can effortlessly hire a bike from the Parkcycle Centre in the carpark near Roehampton Gate.