The best places to picnic in London

Picnicking is one of the summertime activities that we all love to partake in. Homemade sandwiches, fresh fruit, summer cordials and the chance to relax and catch up with friends and family. Plus, throw in an essential game of rounders for good measure and you are in for a really fantastic day!

There are plenty of spots to enjoy a picnic in London, from well-known major parks to little gems hidden off the usual tourist track. So, whether you are a resident of our fine capital city, or are just heading to London Kings Cross Station for a weekend of summer fun, there is sure to be a perfect picnic destination for you.

Here are a few of our favourites…

Postman's Park

A peaceful and shaded garden just a stone’s throw away from the bustling city, Postman’s Park offers the perfect place to chill and enjoy a secluded picnic lunch.

A short stroll from St Paul’s Cathedral and home to The Watts Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice by George Frederick Watts, this is a spot where you can escape the hustle and enjoy the relaxing trickling fountain and the beautiful sundial and flower beds around you in the gardens.

Nearest tube station: St Paul's (Exit 1 for Aldersgate Street)

Primrose Hill

Perfect for sleepy Sunday afternoons or early evening picnic dinners, Primrose Hill offers a delightful setting to munch on your scotch eggs and sip your cloudy lemonade. The views of the city from the top are unbelievable on a clear day or evening, and you will find yourself among a lively crowd of regulars who spend much of their summer up here on the hill.

Plus, there are plenty of delicious delis and cafés in Primrose Hill selling a wide range of picture-perfect cupcakes and juicy fresh fruit, so you can stock up on extras on your way up to the top.

Nearest tube station: Chalk Farm

Kyoto Garden

Opened in 1991 as a gift from the city of Kyoto to celebrate the friendship between Japan and Great Britain, the Kyoto Garden is a breath-takingly beautiful area within Holland Park.

Here you will find traditional Japanese garden features including tranquil tiered waterfalls, stone lanterns and ponds full of mesmerising koi carp fish.

Surround yourself in the calming atmosphere as you enjoy a tranquil picnic with close friends or a loved one, and why not complete the experience with a traditional Japanese lunch of sushi or sashimi from one of the local Japanese restaurants in the area.

Nearest tube station: Holland Park

Phoenix Garden

Nestled in the middle of London’s West End, Phoenix Garden is one of the capital’s best kept secrets…until now!

Located behind the Phoenix Theatre, the garden has been established since 1984 and has an amazing community feel, with regular events hosted in the space. From yoga sessions to crafts and pottery making, there are all sorts of post-picnic activities to get involved in.

If it’s a chilled vibe you are looking for, then head here on your lunch break to sit on a garden bench and take in all the wild flowers, butterflies and birds around you.

Nearest tube station: Tottenham Court Road or Leicester Square

Thames Barrier Park

Another of the capital’s lesser-known park spaces, Thames Barrier Park is a vast area of Greenland, located in the Royal Docks area.

This modern park features 32 fountains in a stone courtyard and a 130-foot long sunken garden running diagonally through the space as a reminder of its dockland heritage. You will find a variety of plants and wildlife here as well as extensive lawns for picnics and scented gardens to roam among.

Children’s play areas, a basketball court and a lovely coffee shop make this the ideal destination for a mid-summer family picnic spot.

Nearest tube station: Pontoon Dock (on the DLR)