London might be famous for its red buses, black cabs and endless rows of terraced houses, but it is also a surprisingly green city. From enormous royal parks filled with deer to tiny community gardens squeezed between buildings, green spaces are an important part of London life.
But have you ever wondered why some green spaces are called parks, others are commons, and some are gardens or squares? Why can you picnic in one, play football in another, and only enter certain gardens if you have a key?
The answer is a mixture of history, ownership, conservation and good old-fashioned British tradition.
London’s green spaces aren’t all managed by the same organisation. Some belong to local councils, others are maintained by charities, private estates, residents’ associations or national organisations.
Here’s a simple guide to the different types of green space you’ll find across London, with examples of where to find them, who looks after them and what makes each one special.
- Royal Parks
- Public Parks
- Commons, Heaths and Open Land
- Public Garden Squares
- Private Garden Squares
- Botanical Gardens and Historic Gardens
- Nature Reserves, Wetlands and Marshes
- Woodlands and Forests
- Rivers, Canals and Waterside Green Spaces
- Cemeteries and Churchyard Gardens
- Community Gardens, Allotments and City Farms
- Linear Parks and Green Corridors
- Pocket Parks and Rooftop Gardens
1. Royal Parks – London’s grandest green spaces
Royal Parks are some of the largest, oldest and most recognisable green spaces in London. Many began life as private hunting grounds or pleasure gardens belonging to the monarchy before eventually being opened to the public.
London has eight main Royal Parks:
Hyde Park – Famous for Speakers’ Corner, the Serpentine, concerts and large public events.
Kensington Gardens – Home to Kensington Palace, the Italian Gardens and the Diana Memorial Playground.
The Regent’s Park – Known for its formal gardens, sports pitches, rose gardens and London Zoo. The park’s management also includes Primrose Hill.
St James’s Park – A beautifully landscaped park near Buckingham Palace, famous for its lake and pelicans.
The Green Park – A quieter royal park with mature trees, open lawns and relatively few flowerbeds.
Greenwich Park – A historic park overlooking the Thames, home to the Royal Observatory and magnificent views across London.
Richmond Park – The largest Royal Park, known for its deer, ancient trees and vast natural landscapes.
Bushy Park – Near Hampton Court Palace, with roaming deer, waterways, grassland and historic avenues of trees.
Who manages them? The Royal Parks charity manages these eight parks on behalf of the government. The land is owned by the Crown.
How are they used? Walking, cycling on designated routes, sport, wildlife watching, picnicking, sightseeing and public events. Entry is generally free, although certain attractions and activities charge admission.
Interestingly, Kew Gardens is not one of the eight Royal Parks, despite having ‘Royal’ in its name.
2. Public Parks – The neighbourhood favourites
These are the everyday parks that make London liveable. They are where people walk their dogs, kick footballs, meet friends, exercise, take children to playgrounds or lie on the grass with a book.
Many were created during the Victorian period as a response to overcrowding and industrialisation, giving Londoners access to fresh air and recreation.
Examples include:
Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets – One of London’s great Victorian public parks, nicknamed the People’s Park.
London Fields, Hackney – A busy local favourite with open lawns, a lido, sports facilities and a famously sociable atmosphere.
Clissold Park, Stoke Newington – Known for its lakes, animal enclosures, historic house and playgrounds.
Battersea Park, Wandsworth – A large riverside park with gardens, sports facilities and the Peace Pagoda.
Brockwell Park, Herne Hill – Famous for its lido, views and community events.
Finsbury Park, Haringey – A major north London park with sports facilities, lakes and large events.
Burgess Park, Southwark – A park created largely from former streets, industrial sites and housing.
Dulwich Park and Southwark Park, Southwark – Popular landscaped parks with recreational facilities.
Haggerston Park, Hackney Downs and Shoreditch Park, Hackney – Important neighbourhood green spaces.
Crystal Palace Park, south London – Famous for its Victorian dinosaur sculptures and historic landscape.
Alexandra Park, Haringey – Home to Alexandra Palace, sweeping city views and open parkland.
Who manages them? Most are maintained by London borough councils, although there are exceptions. Crystal Palace Park is managed by an independent charitable trust, while Alexandra Park is managed by the Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust.
How are they used? Everyday recreation, sport, playgrounds, events, community gatherings and relaxation. Most are free to enter.
3. Commons, Heaths and Open Land – A wilder kind of park
Commons and heaths often feel less formal than traditional parks. Rather than carefully planted flowerbeds and ornamental lawns, you’ll find open grassland, scrub, woodland, ponds and sometimes livestock.
The word common comes from the historic rights of local people, known as commoners, to use certain land for activities such as grazing animals or collecting firewood.
Today, common land has various legal protections, and the traditional rights do not necessarily mean that anyone can do anything they like there.
Famous examples include:
Hampstead Heath – An enormous landscape of hills, woodland, ponds and grassland, famous for swimming and views from Parliament Hill.
Clapham Common – A large historic common popular for sport, picnics and community events.
Wimbledon Common – A mixture of heathland, woodland and open countryside.
Putney Heath and Putney Lower Common – Historic open spaces connected to the Wimbledon and Putney Commons landscape.
Tooting Bec Common and Tooting Graveney Common – Together forming the Tooting Commons, with woodland, sports pitches and the famous lido.
Blackheath – A vast area of open grassland beside Greenwich.
Streatham Common – A popular south London common with a beautiful formal garden known as the Rookery.
Plumstead Common and Wandsworth Common – Important historic commons in south London.
Who manages them? It varies. Hampstead Heath is managed by the City of London Corporation, Clapham Common by Lambeth Council, and Wimbledon and Putney Commons by a dedicated body called the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators.
How are they used? Walking, running, informal recreation, nature conservation and, where permitted, organised sports and swimming.
The important distinction is that a common isn’t simply a park with a different name. It may have a particular legal history and protections.
4. Public Garden Squares – Little green rooms in the city
London’s garden squares are one of its most distinctive urban features.
Originally, many were created as attractive communal gardens surrounded by Georgian or Victorian houses. Some were private, but others eventually became public spaces.
Today, public squares are often miniature parks, providing a welcome escape from the surrounding streets.
Above: arial view of De Beauvoir Square, East London
Examples include:
De Beauvoir Square, Hackney – A charming neighbourhood garden square with rose beds, lawns and a children’s play area.
Russell Square, Bloomsbury – A large historic garden square with a café, fountain and shaded paths.
Bloomsbury Square and Brunswick Square, Camden – Historic green spaces in central London.
Hoxton Square, Hackney – A green square surrounded by restaurants, offices and creative businesses.
Soho Square, Westminster – A popular lunch spot surrounded by the busy streets of Soho.
Berkeley Square, Mayfair – Known for its mature London plane trees.
Clapton Square and Albion Square, Hackney – Smaller residential squares with gardens open to the public.
Tavistock Square, Bloomsbury – A peaceful square containing several memorials.
Leicester Square Gardens – A busy public garden at the heart of London’s entertainment district.
Who manages them? Often local councils, but not always. For example, the publicly accessible Grosvenor Square in Mayfair is owned and managed by the property company Grosvenor.
How are they used? Sitting, reading, quiet recreation, lunch breaks, informal gatherings and local community events.
Although many have railings and gates, this doesn’t automatically mean they’re private. Some public gardens are locked overnight.
5. Private Garden Squares – The ones behind locked gates
Have you ever walked past a beautiful London garden square, noticed people sitting inside, and wondered why you couldn’t get in?
Fitzroy Square, Fitzrovia London
Private garden squares were traditionally created for the exclusive use of surrounding residents. Some still operate much as they did centuries ago.
Examples include:
Bedford Square, Bloomsbury – One of London’s best-preserved Georgian garden squares, with a private central garden.
Fitzroy Square, Fitzrovia – An elegant private garden maintained for the benefit of surrounding properties, with limited public opening opportunities.
Ladbroke Square Garden, Notting Hill – A large private communal garden surrounded by residential streets.
Eaton Square Gardens, Belgravia – Private communal gardens associated with the surrounding properties.
Fassett Square, Dalston – A Victorian residential garden square maintained by its local community. (the real square that East Ender's Albert Square is based on)
Who manages them? Usually private landowners, estate managers, residents’ associations or garden committees. Maintenance is often funded through residents’ contributions, service charges or garden levies.
How are they used? Quiet relaxation and recreation for people with access rights. Some private gardens also host community events or open to visitors on selected days.
The annual London Open Gardens event is a useful opportunity to explore certain gardens that are normally closed to the public.
6. Botanical Gardens and Historic Gardens – Green spaces with a purpose
Not all gardens are simply designed for relaxation. Some exist to preserve rare plants, educate visitors, conduct scientific research or protect historic landscapes.
Examples include:
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – A world-famous centre for botanical research, conservation and plant collections.
Chelsea Physic Garden – Founded in 1673 as a garden for studying medicinal plants.
Hampton Court Palace Gardens – Historic formal gardens, including the famous maze and ornamental landscapes.
Chiswick House and Gardens – An important example of historic English landscape design.
Horniman Gardens, Forest Hill – Gardens connected to the Horniman Museum, including planted landscapes and wildlife areas.
Syon Park, west London – A historic estate with gardens and a celebrated conservatory.
Osterley Park and House, Hounslow – A historic National Trust estate with gardens and parkland.
Morden Hall Park, Merton – A National Trust property with gardens, wetlands and riverside walks.
Who manages them? A wide mixture of organisations. Kew is overseen by its own board of trustees and sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Chelsea Physic Garden is run by a charity, while the National Trust cares for sites such as Osterley and Morden Hall Park.
How are they used? Education, conservation, research, tourism, gardening inspiration and recreation.
Some charge admission, particularly where visitors are entering specialist collections or historic gardens. Others, including Morden Hall Park, offer free access to the main parkland.
7. Nature Reserves, Wetlands and Marshes – Where wildlife comes first
London has some extraordinary wildlife habitats, including wetlands, reedbeds, reservoirs, marshes and nature reserves.
Unlike conventional parks, these places are often managed primarily to protect plants and animals rather than provide lawns for picnics or ball games.
Walthamstow wetlands, east London
Examples include:
Walthamstow Wetlands – A huge working reservoir site that doubles as a wildlife reserve.
Woodberry Wetlands, Hackney – A former reservoir environment transformed into a public nature reserve.
Camley Street Natural Park, King’s Cross – A remarkable little nature reserve beside the Regent’s Canal.
WWT London Wetland Centre, Barnes – A major wetland habitat managed by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.
Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park – A carefully managed urban wetland with bird hides, ponds and wildflower areas.
Rainham Marshes, on the London–Essex edge – A significant nature reserve cared for by the RSPB.
Walthamstow Marshes and Tottenham Marshes – Open landscapes within the Lee Valley Regional Park.
Hackney Marshes – Best known for football pitches but also home to valuable riverside habitats and wildlife.
Who manages them? Conservation charities, local authorities, water companies and specialist park organisations. For example, Walthamstow Wetlands is a Thames Water reservoir site with conservation and visitor partnerships, while Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park is owned by the Land Trust and managed by The Conservation Volunteers.
How are they used? Birdwatching, nature walks, wildlife photography, environmental education and conservation volunteering.
Many are free to visit, but some charge admission or restrict access to protect sensitive habitats.
8. Woodlands and Forests – London’s ancient green spaces
Not all of London’s greenery was deliberately planted. Parts of the capital still contain ancient woodland and forests that have survived centuries of urban development.
These spaces provide important habitats for birds, insects, fungi and mammals, as well as opportunities for people to enjoy a more natural environment.
Epping Forest, East London
Examples include:
Epping Forest – A vast ancient woodland stretching from east London into Essex.
Highgate Wood – An ancient woodland in north London.
Queen’s Wood, Haringey – A peaceful woodland with mature trees and winding paths.
Oxleas Wood, Greenwich – A large area of ancient woodland in south-east London.
Sydenham Hill Wood, south London – A nature reserve with ancient woodland and remnants of Victorian garden landscapes.
Hainault Forest, east London – Woodland, grassland and wildlife habitats.
Woods within Richmond Park – Including ancient oak habitats and protected natural landscapes.
Who manages them? Different organisations, including local councils and conservation charities. The City of London Corporation manages Epping Forest and Highgate Wood, even though these are well outside the City of London’s Square Mile.
How are they used? Walking, nature study, wildlife conservation and, where permitted, cycling and other recreation.
Forests and ancient woods often have stronger habitat protection requirements than ordinary recreational parks.
9. Rivers, Canals and Waterside Green Spaces – London’s blue-green network
Green space doesn’t always mean grass. London’s rivers, canals, towpaths and planted riverbanks form an enormous network connecting neighbourhoods across the city.
These are sometimes called blue-green spaces, recognising the relationship between water, vegetation and wildlife.
River Wandle, South London
Important examples include:
The River Thames and Thames Path – A riverside walking network passing through places including Richmond, Kew, Battersea, Westminster and Greenwich.
Regent’s Canal – Running through Little Venice, Camden, King’s Cross, Islington, Hackney and Limehouse.
Grand Union Canal – Connecting west London with the wider canal network.
River Lea and Lee Navigation – Running through the Lea Valley and east London.
River Wandle – A south London river passing through places including Morden Hall Park and Wandsworth.
Limehouse Cut – One of London’s oldest canals, linking the Lee Navigation with Limehouse.
Hertford Union Canal – A short canal connecting the Regent’s Canal and Lee Navigation.
New River Walk, Islington – A green walking route following part of the historic New River water supply system.
Who manages them? It depends on the waterway. The Canal & River Trust maintains much of London’s navigable canal network, while the Port of London Authority has responsibilities for the tidal Thames. Towpaths, riverside parks and other walking routes can involve local councils, landowners and additional organisations.
How are they used? Walking, boating, commuting, fishing where permitted, wildlife watching and cycling on suitable routes.
These waterside corridors are particularly important because they allow wildlife to move through otherwise heavily developed urban areas.
10. Cemeteries and Churchyard Gardens – Spaces for history and nature
London’s historic burial grounds are among its most atmospheric green spaces. Some remain working cemeteries, while others have become public gardens or nature reserves.
London’s famous Magnificent Seven cemeteries are:
Highgate Cemetery – Known for its Victorian monuments, woodland and famous graves.
Abney Park Cemetery, Stoke Newington – A former garden cemetery that is now a public park and nature reserve.
Brompton Cemetery – A historic cemetery managed by The Royal Parks.
Nunhead Cemetery – A woodland-rich Victorian cemetery in south London.
Kensal Green Cemetery – One of London’s oldest great garden cemeteries.
West Norwood Cemetery – A historic south London cemetery with elaborate monuments.
Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park – A former cemetery transformed into a wildlife-rich public nature reserve.
Other green spaces with churchyard connections include St Dunstan-in-the-East, Postman’s Park, Bunhill Fields, St George’s Gardens in Bloomsbury and Altab Ali Park in Whitechapel.
Who manages them? Local councils, charities, religious bodies, cemetery companies and specialist trusts. Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, for example, is owned by Tower Hamlets Council and managed by the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park charity.
How are they used? Remembrance, historical visits, quiet reflection, walking and wildlife conservation.
These spaces are particularly valuable for biodiversity because many contain mature trees, undisturbed soil, old stonework and areas of relatively unmanaged vegetation.
11. Community Gardens, Allotments and City Farms – Green spaces created by local people
Some of London’s most interesting green spaces exist because local residents have worked together to create or protect them.
Community gardens are often found on former industrial sites, railway land, empty plots or neglected corners of neighbourhoods.
Examples include:
Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, Hackney – A community garden created on a former railway site, with planting, a café and regular events.
The Phoenix Garden, near Covent Garden – A community-run wildlife garden on a former bombsite.
Bonnington Square Pleasure Garden, Vauxhall – A small garden transformed through local community action.
Hackney City Farm, Spitalfields City Farm, Vauxhall City Farm and Surrey Docks Farm – Urban farms bringing animals, food growing and education into the city.
Allotment sites are another important type of green space. These are plots rented by individuals or households to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers.
Who manages them? Often charities, community groups, social enterprises or local councils. Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, for example, operates as a social enterprise, using income from its café to help support the garden.
How are they used? Food growing, learning, gardening, volunteering, socialising and improving local biodiversity.
Community gardens and city farms often welcome visitors, whereas allotment plots generally have restricted access for plot holders.
12. Linear Parks and Green Corridors – Connecting the city
Some green spaces aren’t designed as destinations at all. Instead, they form long, narrow routes connecting different neighbourhoods and larger parks.
These spaces may follow old railway lines, rivers, canals or former industrial infrastructure.
Examples include:
Parkland Walk – A former railway route through north London, now a leafy walking and wildlife corridor.
Mile End Park – A long, narrow park in east London that helps link several neighbourhoods and green spaces.
The Greenway, Newham – An elevated walking and cycling route above the Northern Outfall Sewer.
The Lee Valley Regional Park – A much larger connected landscape of parks, rivers, wetlands and sports facilities stretching through London and beyond.
The Wandle Trail – A walking and cycling route following the River Wandle across south London.
The Green Link Walk – A walking route connecting existing parks, streets and green spaces between Epping Forest and Peckham.
Who manages them? Usually a combination of councils, specialist authorities and landowners. Lee Valley Regional Park has its own statutory park authority, while routes such as the Green Link Walk cross land managed by several different organisations.
How are they used? Walking, cycling, commuting, exercise and connecting with nature without relying on busy roads.
From an environmental perspective, green corridors can be especially valuable because they connect fragmented wildlife habitats.
13. Pocket Parks and Rooftop Gardens – Small spaces with a big impact
Not every green space needs to be enormous. In the densest parts of London, even a little patch of greenery can make a difference.
Pocket parks are small public spaces tucked between buildings, beside roads or on previously unused land. Rooftop gardens bring plants into places where ground-level space is limited.
Crossrail place roof garden, near Canary Wharf
Examples include:
Postman’s Park, near St Paul’s Cathedral – A small historic garden containing the famous Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice.
St Dunstan-in-the-East – A beautiful public garden within the ruins of a medieval church.
Arnold Circus and Boundary Gardens, Shoreditch – A historic landscaped space at the centre of the Boundary Estate.
Paddington Street Gardens, Marylebone – Former burial grounds transformed into public gardens.
Crossrail Place Roof Garden, Canary Wharf – A planted roof garden within a modern commercial development.
Sky Garden, City of London – An indoor landscaped garden and public viewing space high above the city.
The Garden at 120, Fenchurch Street – A publicly accessible rooftop garden with views across central London.
Who manages them? Local authorities, private property owners, estates and charities, depending on the site.
How are they used? Relaxation, lunch breaks, sightseeing and quiet moments away from city life.
Some publicly accessible rooftop gardens are privately owned, and entry may be subject to booking, opening hours or security arrangements.
So, who actually owns London’s green spaces?
One of the most interesting things about London’s greenery is how many different organisations are responsible for it.
There isn’t one single London parks authority.
Local borough councils look after most everyday neighbourhood parks, playgrounds and public garden squares.
The Royal Parks charity manages London’s eight main Royal Parks.
The City of London Corporation manages several major open spaces, including Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest and Highgate Wood.
Environmental charities and trusts protect nature reserves, woodlands, historic landscapes and other important spaces.
Private estates and residents’ associations manage many private gardens and squares, although some privately owned gardens are open to the public.
Community groups and volunteers help create, maintain and protect smaller local spaces.
Specialist bodies, such as the Canal & River Trust and Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, care for particular waterways and connected landscapes.
Importantly, ownership and management are not always the same thing. A park might be owned by a council but managed by a charity, or privately owned but freely accessible to everyone.
Why London’s different green spaces matter
It’s easy to think of parks and gardens as pleasant extras, but they’re an essential part of a healthy city.
Trees provide shade and help cool streets during hot weather. Grass, soil and wetlands absorb rainwater. Gardens and woodland provide habitats for birds, insects and other wildlife.
Green spaces also give people somewhere to exercise, meet neighbours, play, learn, grow food or simply enjoy a quiet moment.
And different spaces do different jobs.
A football pitch at Hackney Marshes offers something completely different from a quiet walk through Abney Park Cemetery. Kew Gardens protects important plant collections, while a tiny community garden in Dalston might bring together people who would otherwise never meet.
The value of London’s green spaces isn’t just how much land they cover, but how varied, accessible and useful they are.
Whether it’s a grand Royal Park, an ancient common, a locked garden square or a few raised beds on a forgotten street corner, each green space tells a story about how London has grown and how its residents have shaped the city.
And sometimes the most interesting bit of London is the little patch of green you’ve walked past a hundred times without ever noticing.
Before visiting, check official websites for opening hours, access restrictions, admission charges and any temporary closures. Some spaces are free and open at all times, while others have gates, tickets or special arrangements.
Look also at my other blog post on Fun Facts about London's Green Space here is a little taster...
16 Fun Facts About London’s Parks and Green Spaces
- Victoria Park – Despite its royal name, it’s not a Royal Park. It was created to give working-class East Londoners fresh air and green space.
- St James’s Park – Pelicans have lived here since 1664, when they were gifted to King Charles II.
- Green Park – Legend says a jealous queen ordered the removal of its flowerbeds after her husband picked flowers for another woman.
- Richmond Park – King Charles I built an eight-mile wall around the park in 1637 to keep his deer in and ordinary people out.
- Crystal Palace Park – Its dinosaur sculptures were created before Darwin published On the Origin of Species.
- Bushy Park – The D-Day landings were planned from Allied military headquarters based here during WWII.
- Walthamstow Wetlands – This enormous wildlife reserve also helps supply drinking water to around 3.5 million Londoners.
- Abney Park Cemetery – Originally planted as a botanical collection with thousands of varieties of trees, shrubs and roses.
- Parkland Walk – A disused railway line transformed into a leafy nature reserve, complete with abandoned platforms.
- Hyde Park – The Serpentine lake is actually man-made, commissioned by Queen Caroline in the 1730s.
- Kew Gardens – Despite its royal title, it’s not a Royal Park but a world-famous botanical research centre.
- Hampstead Heath – Its famous swimming ponds were originally built as reservoirs for London’s water supply.
- London Fields – Before the picnics and lido, this Hackney park was common land used for grazing and moving cattle.
- Epping Forest – This enormous ancient woodland is managed by the City of London Corporation, miles from the Square Mile.
- Dalston Eastern Curve Garden – A much-loved community garden created on an abandoned railway line in 2010.
- Fassett Square – This private Victorian garden square in Hackney inspired the fictional Albert Square in EastEnders.
