Photo Essay: London's Green Spaces

Of all the many things that come to mind when thinking about London – of Buckingham Palace, the Queen, Big Ben, the London Eye, the many pubs, and of the world class museums, perhaps the last thing that comes to mind are the many parks and green spaces that give London its charm and character that are found no where else on earth. London's past, present and future are contained in its parks. For example, a portion of Hyde Park is a mass grave used to help burry victims of the plague in the 14th century, the Great Exhibition of 1851 which helped to catapult Britain into the Industrial Revolution was held in the very same park, and while constructing the London Underground crews had to consult old maps to avoid hitting old skeletons. This, of course, is not the only instance of how the life and times of London have been represented by the city's parks and green spaces. Today the parks provide a quite break away from the city and are an integral part of the London landscape.

Hampstead Heath -
Tube stop: Hampstead
For the bucolic side of London head north to Hampstead heath in the quaint borough of Hampstead. Here you can get lost on one of the many paths trails that criss-cross this 3 square mile park. For a great view of central London, head up to the top of Parliament Hill. On a windy day, Parliament Hill can be packed with novice kite fliers taking up most of the space on top of the hill. On the other side of the heath is Kenwood House packed with the art of European Masters with the house boasting equally stunning architecture.

Brompton Cemetery –
Tube stop: West Brompton
Though cemeteries are not often thought of as an enjoyable place to explore, Brompton Cemetery in West London offers a tranquil place to wander amongst the dearly departed of the Victorian age. The squirrels run rampant, darting between your legs, trees and gravestones, but always looking for a handout. The mix of memorials ranges from lavish family mausoleums, ornate Celtic crosses to graves that have been reclaimed by the Earth via Ivy. A walk along the neatly laid out paths, reading epithets can end up being quite enlightening about one’s own life.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew –
Tube stop: Kew Gardens
Nowhere else in the world can you go to a Chinese pagoda, walk in the desert and see the world’s oldest living potted plant (planted in 1775) than at Kew Gardens. Yes, all that is there. And more! This is the Mecca for any plant lover, containing one of the largest botanical collections in the world. Contained within the grounds are some huge glass greenhouses (some of them surviving from the Victorian age) a wildlife refuge and even a royal palace. There is always something new to see each season of the year.

Hyde Park –
Tube Stop: Hyde Park Corner
Hyde Park, located in the very center of London serves as the soul for one of the world's most iconic cities. Originally used as a deer park for royal hunts by King Henry VIII, it was opened to the public by King Charles I in 1637. Today the park provides a natural reprieve (in a manicured and British way) from the hustle and bustle of the City. You could walk along The Serpentine, watch the dogs chase the geese by The Round, or simply bring a sack lunch and sit on a bench for some world class people watching. Hyde Park is a great way to spend an afternoon and see a side of London that is not often seen by the average tourist.

Thames Barrier Park –
Tube Stop: Pontoon Dock
The motto for the Thames Barrier Park should be "Great things come in unexpected places," for this is really one of the best unknown parks in England. Built in 1995 and intended to aid in the regeneration of East London, this green space is one of the first to use a Post-Modern design and has a distinctly fresh and modern feel to it. However the centerpiece of the Thames Barrier Park isn't located within its grounds but yards away in the River Thames: The Thames Flood Barrier. The Barrier was built to protect the citizens of London from the storm surges of the North Sea and is as functional as it is amazingly beautiful. The Barrier is one of the most underrated but iconic symbols of modern London.