Parks, I believe, are wonderlands. Packed with natural beauty, fascinating history, and whimsical ornament, each has its own particular story to tell: how it came to be, what was here before, and the layers of history that have unfolded within its boundaries.Â
To celebrate these wonderful landscapes, I have worked with Blue Crow Media (who also publish my Great Trees of London Map) to bring you the Great Parks of London Map. Featuring my own words and photography, the map introduces 53 of the most loved, interesting, and popular parks across the world’s greenest and greatest capital city, stretching from the heights of Hampstead Heath to the historic expanses of Crystal Palace Park.
From suburban dinosaurs to celebrated designers
The undisputed jewels in London’s parkscape are the Royal Parks – the oldest and largest in the city. Central oases like Hyde and St James’s help give our capital its unique character, while Richmond Park stands as London’s wildest site for nature.
But look closer, and every park bears the thumbprints of the past. Some hold onto vestiges of ancient landscapes, while others feature the imposing homes of former aristocratic owners, charting the fascinating transformation of private estates into public spaces. Many boast unique features, from the famous Victorian dinosaurs at Crystal Palace Park to the charming circular shelter at Myatt’s Fields Park.
Our parks offer rich field trips into the history of landscape design. Greenwich Park is partially the work of André Le Nôtre, designer of Versailles; Wanstead Park is the legacy of Humphry Repton, while Wimbledon Park remains a remnant of a ‘Capability’ Brown landscape. London is also home to pioneering municipal spaces like Victoria and Battersea Parks, while leading landscape designers like Joseph Paxton and Fanny Wilkinson have also left their mark.
Landscapes under pressure
Documenting these parks through the seasons revealed how they have evolved to provide space for recreation, conservation, and public life. Yet, their future is far from secure. While dedicated Friends Groups provide vital grassroots protection, local authority funding constraints leave our parks under constant threat from encroaching development and disruptive commercial events.
London’s population is growing, but our acreage of green space is not. We must cherish our parks and ensure they remain true to their original purpose: serving as the countryside in the city, freely accessible for all of us to enjoy.
Signed copies of the Great Parks of London Map are available to order now and will ship from 13th July.
Want more parks in your life?
I have started a new column over on my Substack, Swings and Roundabouts will be a monthly in-depth look at a particular park. The first park to feature is Waterlow Park in north London. Sign up for free, or if you’re feeling generous, take out a paid subscription.