We hear you, but we’re here to recommend something a bit out of the box: going outside in winter. A nature-filled stroll will do wonders to boost your mood and fight off that pesky seasonal affective disorder. Trust us, we’re plant doctors*. Here are our top picks for green walks around the city.
*We’re not actually doctors.
Come for the deer, stay for the vistas. The wide spaces feel miles away from the Big Smoke, apart from the telltale views of the city skyline on a clear day.
Live out your own version of a Richard Curtis film with a walk on the Heath. History or art buffs, make sure to pay a visit to Kenwood House while you’re there. Bonus points if you take a dip in the freezing bathing ponds.
Catch some of London’s major tourist sites on this walk through the Royal Parks of central London. It starts at St James’ Park and counts Buckingham Palace, the Royal Albert Hall, and Kensington Palace among its sights.
On the banks of the river Wandle, this park is managed by the National Trust and is perfect if you want a quaint English countryside feel. It’s dotted with small bridges and plenty of spots to spy the local wildlife.
5. Kew Gardens
It wouldn’t be a complete list without Kew, would it? The botanical gardens are well worth a visit during winter, not least because you can always escape into the tropical palm house if you get too chilly.
One of the largest spots in Southeast London, this park is a great one for a wander. Pop into the Observatory, pay a visit to the Greenwich Meridian Line, or just enjoy the views from the top of the hill across the impressive Canary Wharf.
We had to include a mention of our local park. Battersea Park is often overlooked, but we think it’s always worth a visit. Take a visit to our fav charity Thrive’s lovely gardens, and when you get peckish pop into the Pear Tree Cafe by the lake for (according to our CEO Freddie) the best bacon butty in London.
This walk covers 9 miles, from Little Venice in Maida Vale to Limehouse Basin in East London, and snakes by many popular sights along the way. Pass through the London Zoo (you might even spot a few animals and save yourself the ticket fee), stop off at Camden Market for a snack, and admire the colourful canal boats along the whole route.
Known as the ‘People’s Park’, this leafy East London beauty looks even more striking in winter, especially if there’s a bit of snow on the ground. Take a loop around the lake and stop at the Pavilion Cafe for a cockle-warming bev.
This walk from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace is supposedly haunted, so it’s not for the faint of heart. It follows an old railway line that ran between the two North London spots and is actually London’s longest Local Nature Reserve. Hedgehogs, foxes, and sometimes even deer can be spotted, and some of the old railway tunnels to Highgate Station have been turned into a bat sanctuary.
