In usual London fashion, it’s snowing in February. While this would have been nice a couple of months ago, you know, when it was Christmas - the thought of a potentially snowy Valentine’s day is quite lovely nonetheless.
The great thing about a valentine's day in lockdown is that the usual things to do, like fancy dinners, theatre tickets, and weekends away in Paris are all off the cards. Unless you want to book a virtual wine experience, it means that no matter whether you’re happily married or happily single, this year valentine's day can be as simple as enjoying a (potentially snowy) walk amongst London’s royal parks spending quality time with loved ones, be that in person, or over the phone.
Filled with boating lakes, grand gardens, and even deer sanctuaries, London’s royal parks are some of the most bio-diverse spaces in the country. So for those of you looking for safe and socially distant activities to do this February, from weekend walks to make your ex jealous Instagramming, enjoy our guide to London's best Royal Parks to visit this Valentine’s weekend.
Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens
Set in the heart of London is one of the most iconic parks in the world; Hyde Park. Surrounded by some of London’s most famous landmarks, including Wellington Arch, The Royal Albert Hall, Marble Arch, and Kensington Palace, this is the largest of all 4 central London Royal Parks. So for anyone looking for outdoor things to do in central London this weekend, this is a great place to start.
If you’re someone who enjoys your weekend walks, enjoy a self guided walking tour to the parks major landmarks, including the Diana memorial Fountain, the Italian Gardens, the Peter Pan Statue, and of course the Kensington Palace Gardens. While you’re doing so see if you can spot some of Londons rare Indian Parakeets.
These bright green, red beaked, exotic birds just appeared in London, and no one knows where they came from! Rumour has it they escaped off the set of the 1951 movie African Queen and were in hiding for 40 years before their flocks became so big that they could no longer remain hidden. They are most often spotted in Kensington Gardens, near to the Lancaster Gate entrance of the Park. If you bring an apple with you you might just be lucky enough to coax them out of the trees for a rare sighting, and even a hand on feeding to impress your Valentine crush. Good luck!
Regents Park & Primrose Hill
These two parks located between Baker Street and Camden are definitely London’s most instagramable of all the Royal Parks. With hundreds of meters of symmetrical tree-lined pathways and incredible views at the top of Primrose Hill, this is the place to be for any #AccidentallyWesAnderson photographers (a reference for the true Instagram pro’s there 🤝 ).
So on that note, here’s a Valentines Instagram Tour of Regents Park and Primrose hill from us, the number one tour booking brand in London:
- Start at Baker Street Station and enter the park opposite The Sherlock Holmes museum.
- Cross the bridge of the Boating Lake and visit the Bandstand for beautiful lake shots interspersed with hundreds of swans.
- Enter the Inner Circle and visit the Regents Park Open Air Theatre and Queen Mary’s Rose Gardens.
- Walk down to the Japanese Garden Island for gentle waterfalls, giant coy carp, and over 100 species of wild birds.
- Make your way over to the English Gardens just off the Broad Walk pathway for thousands of meticulously planted roses.
- Make your way up the autumnal Board Walk, stopping off to feed Regent’s Parks famously friendly squirrels along the way.
- At the top of the Broad Walk, you’ll find ZSL Zoo London where you might be able to grab a sneak peek of the giraffe sanctuary from the Outer Circle road.
- Cross the Regents Canal stopping for a picture of the famous Feng Shang floating Chinese restaurant.
- Enter the south east corner of Primrose Hill and walk up to the viewing platform at the top for incredible views of London, including The Shard, BT Tower, and St Pauls Cathedral.
- Make your way over to the pretty coffee shops and brunch spots of Regents Park Road to end the tour with a latte and a takeaway croissant.
Richmond Park
No this is not a painting. Nor is it a still from one of David Attenborough’s incredible documentaries from a far-flung corner of the world. This is Richmond Park, the oldest, largest, and most naturally beautiful park in London.
Not only is it a Grade 1 Listed Landmark is also a National Nature Reserve, a site of Special Scientific Interest, and a Special Area of Conservation. What does that all mean? Basically, Richmond Park is London’s equivalent of Narnia.
The park is home to over 630 red and fallow deer that roam freely throughout the park. Unlike Hyde Park, you don’t have to come laden with apples to coax the deer out of hiding, this is their home and they do as they please, so getting incredible photos of the deer is really as easy as just walking around, keeping noise to a minimum, and keeping your eyes peeled. With every trip you are guaranteed to spot these beautiful creatures, and what better time to do so than in Winter.
While you’re there make sure to visit the Isabella Plantation Gardens, a secluded woodland garden filled with vibrant pink and purple flowers, soft streams, and beautiful walkways.
No trip to Richmond Park is complete with a visit to King Henry’s Mound. Famously said to be where King Henry the VIII stood 300 years ago to watch a rocket fired from the Tower of London that signalled the execution of his then-wife Anne Boleyn. It’s unsure whether this is true or not, but what we know is that there is a mind boggling view of St Pauls Cathedral from this viewpoint. Why is this so special? Well, not only is St Paul’s cathedral over 11 miles away, but the view is only visible at the right angle through a clearing in the woods. Don’t believe us, get down to Richmond park and check it out yourself!
Not that keen on walking? That's ok, we aren't judging! Check out some of the virtual experiences you can book this Valentine's Day instead.
