London is proud of its many green and open spaces, wherethe English countryside comes to the centre of the city.Most of them were once royal gardens, but today they’rehere for everyone to enjoy.

St James’s Park, nearBuckingham Palace, isLondon’s oldest. Inside thepark you can see St James’sPalace. St James’s Park is agood spot to watch the royalceremonies.

In St James’s Park you canfeed the swans, pelicans,geese, ducks and other waterbirds that live near the lake.The park’s squirrels are alsofriendly little fellows.

Green Park in London issituated next to St James’sPark but is much smaller insize. This peaceful park is aplace to escape the noise ofthe city.

Green Park is famous for itstree-lined alleys.

It also has a heronry and acollection of swans, ducks andgeese. You can play golf andtennis, try out the playgrounds,listen to music from thebandstand or visit the Open AirTheatre. Regent’s Park is also thehome of London Zoo.

One of the best times to visitRegent’s Park is in thespring. At this time of theyear, Regent’s Park is abeautiful place of blossomand flowers. It’s perhapsLondon’s most elegant park,with its attractive gardensand lakes.

Hyde Park is the most famousof London parks. It was oncepart of a wild and ancientforest, with wolves and wildbulls. Henry VIII used to huntthere. There is a beautiful lakein Hyde Park called theSerpentine.

People can also go horseriding in Hyde Park. Everyweekend afternoon somepeople speak in the Speaker’sCorner. You can also see theroyal cavalry on their way totheir guard duties.

Once part of Hyde Park, this prettypark is where you’ll find the AlbertMemorial, which Queen Victoria builtin memory of her husband, the PeterPan statue and the Diana, Princess ofWales Memorial Playground withpirate ships, wigwams and totem poles.Kensington Gardens were created forWilliam III, who lived at KensingtonPalace.