Increase your appetite on one of these winter walks
When winter arrives, there is nothing more for Londoners than to spend an afternoon strolling through one of the most beautiful parks in the city, followed by a hearty barbecue dinner in a cozy pub. We’ve rounded up some classic park and pub couples below. Bundle up and walk this way …
Primrose Hill and The Princess of Wales
A walk in the park: On the north side of Regent’s Park, leafy Primrose Hill offers fantastic views of the London skyline from its top. Head to the sheltered viewpoint and see London’s iconic landmarks including the London Eye, the Shard, and the BT Tower. The park is a popular spot for picnics, kite flying, and celebrity watching (famous local residents include Jamie Oliver, Cara Delevinge, and Daniel Craig).
Where to Have Lunch: Occupying three floors of a 19th-century building, the Princess of Wales is an attractive gastropub on a posh residential street near Primrose Hill. It’s a sociable spot with several different areas to eat, including a stylish first-floor dining room and a ‘Banksy beer garden,’ named for a lion stencil that the artist believes was etched in 2011. The popular lunch deals Sundays (beef, chicken, pork, veggie sausages) are served with all the trimmings and the tantalizing dessert menu includes brownies and banoffee pie.
Regent’s Park y The Prince Regent
A walk in the park: Designed by British architect John Nash, Regent’s Park is a beautiful parkland in central London. Spend time strolling through the fragrant Queen Mary’s Gardens, which feature more than 400 types of roses, or take to the water in a rowboat on the lake. A walk around the park’s 3-mile outer circle should take about an hour.
Where to have lunch: On Marylebone High Street, the Prince Regent is a large gastropub with quirky interiors including chandeliers, red velvet booths, and gold-framed mirrors. Sundays are long, leisurely lunches and the pub offers newspapers, board games and a relaxing soundtrack. Roast dinners include British Wiltshire and Shropshire beef and are served with seasonal vegetables and gravy pomegranates.
Hyde Park y Hawksmoor Knightsbridge
A walk in the park: Covering 350 acres, Hyde Park is one of the largest and most popular in London. Dating from 1536, it was originally used as a hunting ground for Henry VIII and was opened to the public in the 17th century. It is home to landmarks such as Serpentine Lake (for boating and swimming in the open air), Speakers’ Corner (for lively debate), and the Diana Memorial Fountain (a tribute to the Princess of Wales, popular with locals). kids). Work up an appetite with a 4-mile walk around the edge of the park, which should take around 90 minutes.
Where to have lunch: Hawksmoor is a mecca for meat eaters and is one of the best places to eat meat in London. Their celebrated Sunday roast consists of longhorn beef served with duck fat roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and trenches of bone marrow and onion gravy. The Knightsbridge branch is located just off Brompton Road and features stylish Art Deco interiors.
Continue to 5 of 6 below.
Victoria Park y The Royal Inn on the Park
A walk in the park: Designed as a ‘Regent’s Park for the East End’, Victoria Park (or Vicky Park for the locals) was first opened in 1845. Bordered on two sides by the Regent’s Canal, the park is landscaped ornate Victorian drinks, elaborate fountains, a deer enclosure, a Chinese pagoda, and no fewer than three lakes. Family-friendly amenities include a skate park, children’s pool, and play areas.
Where to have lunch: On Lauriston Road, a village-like enclave on the edge of the park, the Royal Inn on the Park is a popular Victorian pub with a large outdoor terrace. A variety of continental ales and ales accompany the hearty roast dinners, and the menu features classic post-roast desserts such as caramel pudding and eton mess.
Brockwell Park y The Florence
A walk in the park: This unknown park in south east London forms a triangle between Brixton, Dulwich and Herne Hill. At its heart is the 19th century Brockwell Hall (now a coffee shop) and the park features a miniature railway, a BMX cycle track, a former English flower garden, and a 19th century clock tower. The Art Deco outdoor lido draws swimmers when it rains or shines.
Where to have lunch: Right across from the park, The Florence is a family-friendly pub with a beautiful Victorian tile exterior. The cozy and elegant interiors feature a marble fireplace, mismatched chairs and tables, and a large copper vat that produces micro beers. Roast dinners are served in an open kitchen and come with giant Yorkshire puddings and veggies, including honey glazed carrots. For the summer months there is a colorful beer garden with a cabana-style beach bar.
