There are few simpler but more genuine pleasures than a walk in the park. When the sun is bearing down, the flowers are in bloom and a joyous sense of community fills the air, it’s hard to think of a better way to spend your day – other than a walk in the park followed by a meal at a MICHELIN Guide restaurant, perhaps. That’s why we’re bringing you a rundown of the best London parks, spread across the city, along with plenty of options for where to eat and stay nearby. Whether you’re a traveller or a local, it’s your perfect sunny-day guide.
Beautiful blossom in Hyde Park. © Vladislav Zolotov/iStock
Hyde Park
There’s a reason why Hyde Park is the most famous green space in London. It’s big, it’s beautiful and it’s got loads going on. The core attractions include The Serpentine, a serene lake where you can hire a boat and while away the hours under the sun’s rays, and Speaker’s Corner, a symbol of free speech and the site of many historic addresses and protests. The park is in a prime location, too, bordered to its east by Mayfair – London’s most affluent and luxurious district, filled with high-end boutiques and galleries.A combination of its size and location mean that Hyde Park also acts as the venue for some of London’s biggest events. In the festive period, it’s taken over by Winter Wonderland; in June and July, it hosts the British Summer Time festival, a series of concerts which this year includes performances from Sabrina Carpenter and Stevie Wonder. If all that isn’t enough, Kensington Gardens is an adjacent parkland with plenty of its own highlights – including Kensington Palace, the birthplace of Queen Victoria.
Elaborately presented dishes from Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester. © Food Story Media Ltd
Restaurants Near Hyde Park
With Mayfair so close, there are dozens of restaurants around here, and they’re all at the higher end of the price scale. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly bite, you’re better off walking to Soho and choosing from our list of its best value spots. Nearer to Hyde Park, you should embrace the all-out luxury.Inside the Three-MICHELIN-Key opulence of the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, Heston Blumenthal brings his unique creative approach to traditional British dishes at Dinner by Heston; in 45 Park Lane (Two Keys), Sushi Kanesaka (One Star) offers some of the best produce in London; and the iconic The Dorchester (Two Keys) hosts Alain Ducasse’s Three-Star French cuisine. If you’d rather head north of Hyde Park, then there are MICHELIN-Star meals waiting for you at KOL and AngloThai.
Bvlgari Hotel London's Italian-inspired opulence. © Bvlgari Hotel London
Hotels Near Hyde Park
In addition to all the spectacular hotels mentioned above, you also have The Berkeley (Two Keys) and the Three-MICHELIN-Key extravagance of the Four Seasons at Park Lane and Bvlgari Hotel London. The latter, being owned by the revered Italian fashion house, is one of the most stylish hotels in the city. If the gorgeous rooms and suites somehow don’t offer enough lavish comfort for you, then the equally impressive spa and pool are just seconds away.Find your hotel
Sun-soaked deck chairs in St James's Park. © CHUNYIP WONG/iStock
St James’s Park & Green Park
As they’re neighbours, we’ve paired Green Park (officially The Green Park) and St James’s Park together, with a walk through both ticking a lot of boxes. Like Hyde Park, Green Park has Mayfair on one side, with the two green expanses cradling the neighbourhood’s elegant, restaurant-filled streets. The park itself is the smallest of the Royal Parks and a relatively simple affair, but ideal for a short, tree-lined stroll.St James’s Park, meanwhile, is perfect for Royal Family fans. At one end is Buckingham Palace itself – where you can catch the Changing the Guard ceremony on certain days – and leading up to it is The Mall, the road taken by the monarch during their coronation. At the other end, you’ll find Horse Guard’s Parade. The park is more than connective tissue for your sightseeing, however, with a lovely lake at its heart where you might catch a glimpse of the resident pelicans.
Immaculately presented dishes from Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London at The OWO. © Matteo Carassale
Restaurants Near St James’s Park & Green Park
Like Hyde Park, Green Park and St James’s Park are both blessed with an exceptional choice of restaurants. HIDE even has interior design inspired by Green Park’s trees; clad in different shades of wood, its split-level restaurant and basement cocktail bar together represent the branches, trunk and roots of the trees. Just down the road, there’s the unbeatable opulence of The Ritz Restaurant. Crowned with its second MICHELIN Star in 2025, it’s a gorgeous space where classical dishes like beef Wellington are delivered with just the right amount of invention.Closer to St James’s Park, Raffles London at The OWO is home to two restaurants: MICHELIN-Starred, vegetable-led cuisine from Mauro Colagreco; and Kioku by Endo, drawing on an intriguing blend of Japanese and Mediterranean influences from Endo Kazutoshi. Elsewhere, look out for the global-melting-pot style of cooking at Scully and the phenomenally popular Fallow, run by the kings of restaurant social media. For the most affordable meal, walk around 10 minutes to Bancone, which holds a Bib Gourmand for its brilliantly priced pasta.
A stunning roof terrace for one of the Corinthia Hotel's penthouses. © Corinthia Hotel London
Hotels Near St James’s Park & Green Park
Close to St James’s Park, it’s hard to look past the sheer majesty of Raffles, which has seen it awarded Three MICHELIN Keys. Beyond that, the Corinthia isn’t too shabby with its Two MICHELIN Keys, Tom Kerridge-backed restaurant and signature penthouses. If you’re looking for somewhere to base yourself between Hyde Park and Green Park, then the best option for pure quality is The Peninsula London (Three Keys), which is also home to Two-MICHELIN-Star restaurant Brooklands by Claude Bosi.Find your hotel
The lush greenery of Victoria Park. © CHUNYIP WONG/iStock
Victoria Park
As great as central London’s parks are, sometimes it’s nice to escape the bustle and explore the outer reaches of a city. As a visitor, you’ll find that a lot of London’s coolest and most distinctive areas are on its fringes, where people actually live rather than just shop and eat. And if you’re a Tower Hamlets resident yourself, then you’ll know all about Victoria Park’s charms already.Among its notable features is the Chinese Pagoda, which sits on an island in the West Boating Lake and is available for exclusive hire. On the other side of the park, you’ll find The Old English Garden, a horticultural highlight boasting, among other things, a fine collection of roses.
One of the exciting, globally influenced dishes at Whyte's, near Victoria Park. © Ed Mason
Restaurants Near Victoria Park
Whilst it’s not one of the central areas at the top of most travellers’ lists, the area in and around Hackney (adjacent to Victoria Park) is rapidly becoming a go-to destination for London’s foodies, a place where hipster culture and MICHELIN-Star quality collide. Near Victoria Park alone, there’s innovative zero-waste cuisine at Silo, thrilling global invention at Whyte’s and the signature Guinness bread at Cafe Cecilia – plus wallet-friendly Korean dishes at family-run Miga.For sheer quality, you can’t look past Da Terra in Bethnal Green, the Two-MICHELIN-Star restaurant from Rafael Cagali that effortlessly blends Brazilian, Italian and other global influences in strikingly creative dishes that are as joyous to eat as they are fabulous to look out.
One of the Town Hall Hotel's spacious split-level rooms. © Town Hall Hotel
Hotels Near Victoria Park
Da Terra is located within the Town Hall Hotel, an attractive conversion of an old civic building, which takes advantage of being located a little outside the centre by offering spacious rooms and suites that will make you glad you didn’t stay in Soho. That’s not to mention the indoor pool, gym and in-room spa treatments. As an alternative, the Mama Shelter group have brought their quirky and colourful style to the streets of Shoreditch.Find your hotel
A serene bridge in Regent's Park. © Luke Abrahams/iStock
Regent’s Park
One of the best options for nature enthusiasts, Regent’s Park features six distinct gardens, including Queen Mary’s Gardens, famed for the roughly 12,000 roses you can see in full bloom during the first two weeks of June. The Avenue Gardens are worth a visit, too, for their interplay of flowers, statues and ornaments. The Community Wildlife Garden, meanwhile, is designed entirely with biodiversity in mind. Animal enthusiasts may also want to visit London Zoo, which sits within the park and is a conservation zoo home to hundreds of species.Regent’s Park is locationally brilliant, too, sitting on the doorstep of Marylebone – the London neighbourhood that’s incredibly elegant, yet not-quite-Mayfair levels of opulent, which for a lot of people might be a good thing. Adjacent to the park is Primrose Hill, a popular slope where you can lie back on a picnic blanket and admire the London skyline.
An enticing dessert from the konditorei at Fischer's. © Tim Winter
Restaurants Near Regent’s Park
Once you’ve finished your stroll, ensure you leave Regent’s Park at its southern end, where you’ll find more restaurants. Perhaps most useful is the all-day dining at Fischer’s. Modelled on the cafés of Austria, it’s perfect for viennoiserie in the morning, a cake from the konditorei in the afternoon or a schnitzel at dinner. If Japanese cuisine is more your thing, then Mayha offers an omakase experience based around luxury produce.Looking for MICHELIN Stars? Lita is a new Star and a gloriously on-trend spot combining wood-fired grilling with vibrant, smack-you-in-the-face flavours. Slightly further away, but still within reach, you can find the understatedly delicious food at Portland.
Dorset Square Hotel, easily accessed from Regent's Park. © Dorset Square Hotel
Hotels Near Regent’s Park
There’s one obvious choice round here: Dorset Square Hotel. A part of the Firmdale Hotels group that operates several impeccably stylish spots around the city, it’s a boldly designed place with a good line in colourful luxury. Expect lots of bright hues and a playful touch to the décor, without getting anywhere near kitsch – the designers are far too savvy for that.Find your hotel
An aerial view of the sprawling Hampstead Heath. © georgeclark/iStock
Hampstead Heath
A bastion of the North London landscape, Hampstead Heath is one of the best parks for feeling like you’ve truly escaped the city. It’s a wild park, meaning it’s less prettily manicured than the Royal Parks, and therefore gains a more windswept sort of beauty. Stray from the path and you could easily feel like you’re rambling, rather than strolling. If you’re after a picture-perfect view, head up Parliament Hill and take in the city below, or stop by the Kenwood House stately home to admire its grandeur.Hampstead Heath is also renowned for its public bathing ponds, offering a bracing outdoor swim in the confines of nature. Adjoined to Hampstead Heath, although technically separate, is Golders Hill Park. This is well worth a visit in its own right, if only to see its spectacular Hill Garden and Pergola – a place seemingly tailor-made for a photoshoot.
A vibrant vegetable dish from The Parakeet in North London. © Justin De Souza
Restaurants Near Hampstead Heath
Being further out of the city centre, there are fewer restaurants near Hampstead Heath than many other parks. That doesn’t matter though, because who needs choice when you have one of the city’s best pubs right on your doorstep? The Bull & Last is a rustic, charming spot and an expert practitioner of traditional British fare, from fish and chips to a Sunday roast. As an alternative, a 20-minute walk towards the city will take you to The Parakeet – another characterful pub, where wood-fired grilling is a feature of the menu.There are no MICHELIN Guide hotels directly near Hampstead Heath, but it’s only a short journey back to the city centre, where you have over 100 hotels to choose from.
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Battersea Park, one of the most interesting green spaces in London. © Lana2011/iStock
Battersea Park
Just south of the River Thames, Battersea Park is a green expanse dotted with things to do and places to see. Whether you’re taking advantage of the lovely walkway and benches along the riverbank, spotting the statues around the park, hiring a pedalo for the Boating Lake in summer or admiring the majesty of the Japanese Peace Pagoda, you’re never short of activities. There are sports facilities, too, with courts for increasingly popular padel tennis among them.While you’re in the neighbourhood, it’s worth paying a visit to the redeveloped area around Battersea Power Station, to marvel at how an industrial landmark has been transformed into a seriously swish residential and commercial district. And if you’re staying, or live, even further south, then there’s always Clapham Common and Trinity restaurant as well.
No. Fifty Cheyne, which is just over the bridge from Battersea Park. © No. Fifty Cheyne
Restaurants Near Battersea Park
At the southern end of the park, your closest restaurant is Archway, a buzzing Italian eatery unsurprisingly located under a railway arch. The menu shares many similarities with the famed River Café, wholeheartedly embracing Italian cuisine’s ingredient-led ethos in pared-back dishes like whole fish with a simple garnish.On the other side of the park, head over Albert Bridge into Chelsea, where you’ll find No. Fifty Cheyne – a smart neighbourhood operation that’s easily spotted by its gorgeous floral exterior. If your parkland stroll is a warm-up for a special occasion, then look no further than Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, a longtime holder of Three MICHELIN Stars.
A room with the signature playful style of the Artist Residence group. © Artist Residence London
Hotels Near Battersea Park
For a MICHELIN Guide hotel nearby, you’ll need to cross Chelsea Bridge to get north of the river. Here, you’ll find Artist Residence London and At Sloane. The former holds One MICHELIN Key and, with just 10 guestrooms, is a pleasantly intimate spot compared to the capital’s usual large-scale luxury. As with the rest of the Artist Residence group, quirky touches abound in the décor, along with enough artwork to allow the hotel to live up to its name.Find your hotel
Deer in Richmond Park, where the animals have lived for centuries. © philmcelhinney/iStock
Richmond Park
In the southwest of the city, well away from the crowds, Richmond provides an oasis of calm – largely thanks to its vast parkland. As the biggest of the Royal Parks, Richmond Park is a dedicated National Nature Reserve, the kind of place you can get lost in and feel a million miles from the city (and yet it’s handily accessed via the District Line). Its wildlife is a particular feature, with fallow and red deer populations having roamed the land since the 1600s.Other highlights include the Isabella Plantation – known for its eye-popping array of vibrant azaleas – and King Henry’s Mound, where you can spot landmarks like St Paul’s Cathedral in the distance. What’s more, there are even two 18-hole golf courses within the park, showing just how expansive it is.
A typically fresh-looking dish at Petersham Nurseries Café. © Petersham Nurseries
Restaurants Near Richmond Park
One of London’s most desirable residential districts, Richmond is the kind of place you’d expect to find top-drawer neighbourhood restaurants. So it’s no surprise that on the edge of the park you have The Dysart Petersham, a MICHELIN-Star restaurant known not just for its cuisine but also for its classical concert recitals and Bechstein grand piano.If the park hasn’t quite sated your appetite for greenery, Petersham Nurseries is a gloriously floral complex housing a garden nursery, a homeware shop and a delightful Italian restaurant where you’re surrounded by blooms. Prefer French cuisine? Loveable bistro Mignonette ticks all the boxes, holding a Bib Gourmand for the excellent value of its classic dishes like steak au poivre.
As it’s slightly further outside the city, Richmond Park isn’t surrounded by MICHELIN Guide hotels, but there are plenty to choose from in the city centre. Browse the full selection here.
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Hero Image: A spectacular view from St James’s Park, one of the best London parks in which to spend a weekend in the sun. © Circle Creative Studio/iStock
