What’s on in London Parks

With this being the last weekend of outdoor focused socialising and warmer months (hopefully) fast approaching, here’s a quick round up of some of London’s best parks and what they have on in the near future and beyond. 

Check out our London Park Map Prints as guides to our favourite parks and as unique ways to commemorate all the time we've spent outside this last year! 

Dulwich Park 

Over lockdown, it was a wonderful place to grab a hot chocolate and play pooh sticks over the bridge. Now that the weather is hotter, think Aperol Spritz and early evening pizza from the Dulwich Clock Café. This weekend is a fantastic chance to catch the Dulwich Rhododendrons in full bloom; tucked away in the American Garden they are absolutely stunning this time of year.

While we still have to partake in outside activities, the lake is now open to rent paddle boats and rowboats, ideal for a fun family activity or even an alternative first date. For the planners amongst us, it is definitely worth noting that the Luna Cinema will also return to Dulwich Park in August with viewings of classics like Dirty Dancing.

Ruskin Park 

A small oasis set at the top of busy Denmark Hill this delightfully chilled-out park is a favourite of the LucyLovesThis team. The bandstand is often home to practising musicians and the Flower Garden Labyrinth makes the perfect base for impromptu games of hide and seek.

For the more daring or those that are looking to learn a new skill over the summer, Ruskin Park’s TLCC Trapeze School is now open for the season! If you’re more about relaxation than adrenaline rushes, the trapeze artists are still exciting to watch while enjoying a mint choc-chip cone from the Ruskin Park Café.

Brockwell Park

An expansive park that features a kaleidoscope of landscapes, with walled gardens nestled amongst designated meadow areas. Brockwell Park is definitely somewhere to spend an entire Sunday without fear of an activity lull. With multiple playgrounds, BMX tracks and tennis courts, there’s also the not so well-kept local secret - Brockwell Lido. The Brockwell Lido Café is currently serviced by the delicious Four Hundred Rabbits, with a menu fit for grown-up brunches and family lunches alike.

July also marks the start of the Brockwell Park Luna Cinema events, worth booking soon to avoid disappointment. With Grease showing, a 50’s themed alfresco dinner could even be a fun way to celebrate any birthdays previously subjected to the lockdown treatment. Come September, it will also be a great way to see the summer out with Soul, Jazz and Disco festival, Cross the Tracks.

Victoria Park 

The city’s oldest purpose-built public park, Victoria Park is home to many pieces of Grade II listed areas of landscaping and architecture. It’s also one of London’s favourite parks, known locally as the ‘People’s Park’ – and for good reason. Aside from the beautiful landscaping, with The People’s Park Tavern on one side and the Pavilion Café on the other, you are never far from something delicious or your weekend tipple.

Be sure to catch the Victoria Park Market this Sunday (and every Sunday, 10-4pm) for a plethora of tasty treats. Victoria Park is another park that is often transformed into a festival space, while they may not be happening this year, it’s definitely worth keeping an eye out for when the world returns to normal!

Richmond Park 

The largest of London’s Royal Parks, if you’re looking for a way to escape the city without actually leaving London, Richmond Park is the place for you. Just absolutely huge, it’s the perfect park to get lost in the wild and amble away the last Sunday before indoor socialising can begin again.

Richmond Park is fit to burst with lovely things to see and do. An obvious must during May is the Isabella Plantation, home to a vast (and beautiful) collection of Azaleas. You could also pre-order picnic boxes from Pembroke Lodge and walk up to King Henry’s Mound to survey an incredible panoramic view of London’s sprawling cityscape. As it’s also currently deer birthing season, you may even manage to catch sight of a little fawn – and is there any day that can’t be made better by an adorable baby deer?

Where will you be spending your last weekend of outdoor-orientated socialising? Show us your favourite map locations on Instagram at @LucyLovesThis