Despite being building-dense, there is a great abundance of

open spaces and parks within London. They are located throughout the city so why not explore!

Hyde Park is one of the most famous of the

Royal Parks, situated near Mayfair and Knightsbridge. This park boasts the

Serpentine lake, on which boats are available for hire. Hyde Park also plays host to a range

of events including the festivals British Summer Time and Wireless.

Kensington Gardens are

adjacent to Kensington Palace, official home of the Duke and

Duchess of Cambridge. The State rooms of the palace are open to

the public, as are the Italian Gardens.

Hampstead Heath is a popular park in North West London featuring 3

swimming pools and a Lido, which are perfect during the summertime. The Heath also offers organised sporting

opportunities including angling, athletics, cricket and tennis.

London Geography

Jump on the Northern Line Camden Town is a historic beacon of artistic expression, individuality and culture. Host to a Camden Market including the infamous Cyberdog, browse a wide range of eclectic clothing including goth and punk rock essentials. Camden is also well-known for its music scene: it is called home by Madness and Amy Winehouse and has numerous venues including the Roundhouse, the Electric Ballroom, the Blues Kitchen and Barfly. Tour of Emirates Stadium – home to Arsenal FC, Emirates Stadium is the UK’S newest Grade II listed stadium. The 60,000-seater area is open to tours throughout the week from £20 a ticket and also has a museum to commemorate the historic London team, including medals, shirts and trophies. Primrose Hill boasts a panoramic view of the London skyline. Surrounded by cafes, it is a beautiful spot to spend a sunny Sunday to have a picnic, play ball games or play ‘spot the landmark’ as you take in the awe-inspiring landscape. Highgate Cemetery may sound like an unusual location to visit, however the ivy-cloaked Victorian tombs and statues make this graveyard an interesting place. The East Cemetery is free, however it is the West Cemetery, which is the most atmospheric. It is only accessible by organised tours which are booked ahead, and is the final resting place of notable people such as Karl Marx. Golders Green is a religious hub and is home to a large Jewish community. There are several synagogues in the area as well as traditional bakeries, which offer cheap, homemade goods including bagels – a delicious alternative to supermarkets.

East Jump on the Central Line

Stratford has risen in popularity since the 2012 Olympic Games with many on the facilities now open to the public. The Aquatics Centre is available for public swimming and diving sessions from £3.50 for adults, while the VeloPark offers sessions for novices and experienced bikers alike. Stroll through the parkland of the Olympic Park, which includes the ArcelorMittal Orbit. Stratford is also home to Westfield Shopping Centre, the largest urban shopping and leisure destination in Europe. Shoreditch Considered the ‘hipster’ area of London, Shoreditch has maintained its original gritty, urban edge. Beginning with Spitalfields market, an eclectic range of retailers and restaurateurs are on offer for the everyday and the unique. Brick Lane is a historic favourite where there is the highest concentration of Indian restaurants, allowing for cheap but still award-winning curries.

Bethnal Green features Columbia Road flower market, the largest fresh flower street market in London, which makes for a beautiful Sunday stroll. Around the corner you can find the V&A museum of childhood, away from the crowd-packed museums in Kensington and it’s free! Whitechapel Once home to Jack the Ripper, Whitechapel is now a multicultural and diverse area. Browse around Whitechapel Gallery’s contemporary exhibitions, followed by a trip to Exmouth coffee shop. Genesis cinema is a quirky alternative to your typical cinema. With a bar and sofas in their studios, tickets are £7 for students and £4.50 every Monday and Wednesday! Have a butcher’s at trendy East London

Cockney rhyming slang – Butcher’s Hook = Take a Look! Don’t worry, we don’t get it either...

Jump on the Overground

Greenwich is a historically rich area of London, which celebrates the English nautical era. It is the docking place of the Cutty Sark, one of the last tea clippers, which has undergone restoration since catching fire in 2007 and 2014. You can also stroll through the old navy college, pictured above. Overlooking the museums sits the Royal Observatory, where you can go stargazing with the country’s largest refracting telescope. The Astronomy Centre, which is free, hosts a 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite and the Planetarium screening daily shows. North Greenwich is where you can find the O2 centre, a hub of shopping, restaurants and live music and sporting events. For something different and daring, harness up and climb over the venue’s roof for one of the most spectacular city views. Alternatively, the Emirates Air Line can also provide a unique perspective of the city, for which you can use your Oyster card. Crystal Palace Boating Lake The largest park in Bromley, Crystal Palace Park is diverse with a mix of woodland and open grassland. It boasts a free maze, but its boating lake is the key attraction. Hire pedalos for unique views of the park and its residents - sculptures of dinosaurs! Wimbledon A beacon of British summertime is Wimbledon season. Tickets are allocated by ballot, but matches are broadcast on big screens outside for free viewing. So take a seat on Henman Hill and enjoy.

Kew Gardens is a beautiful World Heritage Site which covers over 300 acres with over 30,000 species of plants. An impressive attraction is the treetop walkway: 18m up in the air, explore the biodiversity of the top of the canopy. Beefeater Distillery offers a tour through the home and history of the award-winning Beefeater London Gin. Finishing with a complimentary gin and tonic, this opportunity will provide insight into the hand-crafted production process.

South

West

Jump on the District Line London’s Museum Quarter Down in South Kensington, the cluster of London’s best free museums are located. Beginning with the V&A Museum, a decorative arts and design museum, enjoy exhibitions on fashion and jewellery, as well as furniture, photography, textiles and architecture. The high-ceilinged, light-filled galleries are also home to a broad collection of European monuments and sculpture. Next, the Science Museum, where you can learn about science and technology through the ages. There is also an IMAX cinema with special science-related 3D films, along with demonstrations and hands-on exhibits. Finally, the Natural History Museum, highlights of which include a Blue Whale and the Dinosaur collection, featuring the first T. rex fossil ever found! Chelsea An affluent, fashionable area of West London, Chelsea is a hub for high end shopping, culture and foliage. Sloane Square marks the beginning of the famous King’s Road, which offers luxury brands and flagship stores such as Tiffany & Co., and Hermes. For a bite to eat, try brunch hot spots Bluebird café, Tom’s Kitchen or Eelbrook. Alternatively, for some contemporary art, visit the Saachi Gallery for free. Continue your exploration across the river: stroll along the Chelsea Embankment to Albert Bridge, into Battersea Park. Portobello Road Market is actually formed from several markets, stretched out up one long road in Notting Hill. Stalls sell vegetables, flowers and new goods through the week. Meanwhile at the weekend, this is the place to be to hunt for antiques. Also on offer are vintage clothes stores and fashion boutiques by up-and-coming designers. West End Shows The West End offers a fantastic range of classic and new theatre shows including ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, ‘Les Misérables’ and ‘Matilda the Musical’. For last-minute tickets, check out the Leicester Square ticket booth where you can usually get a bargain!