Top 9 London Walks: City Daze Show Us London's Best Green Spaces
Top 9 London Walks: City Daze Show Us London's Best Green Spaces
Did you know that London has so much green spaces that it technically meets the UN classification of a forest? London's 8 million trees take up 21 percent of land area, and 40 percent of the city's public spaces are green ones. With over 3000 green spaces, the England capital is one of Europe's greenest cities.
This isn't something that the walking club City Daze take for granted. Founded by Zoe and Rose, the team sought to create a space to invite people to slow down and rediscover the city, "exploring the often overlooked green spaces we rush past every day".
With a strong focus on wellbeing, City Daze view nature as a 'soft antidote to city stress and burnout'. Each walk pairs exploration with connection: they make sure no one is left behind, matching people up along the route with conversation cards to foster an environment of inclusivity and low-stress social fun.
Truly valuing the power of London's public green spaces, the club fosters a warm social environment through the simple act of a stroll through the city. Below they share their guide to London's Best Green Walks.
In this Guide
Alexandra Palace → Highgate Woods
“Start at Alexandra Palace and enjoy the incredible views over London. Then, head towards Highgate Woods. Peaceful and green, full of tall trees and little clearings perfect for sitting down, taking a breath and soaking it all in. You feel a world away from the hustle. If you want to continue, Queen Woods is right next door and is home to one of the loveliest woodland cafe’s around. ”
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Bushy Park
“Bushy Park is a beautiful alternative to Richmond Park for those who want to wander through wide open spaces, tall grass, roaming deer, listen to the sound of woodpeckers and stare at big skies. There are lots of hidden trails taking you through pockets of woodland, streams and ponds making for a lovely adventure. The perfect recipe for regulating your nervous system and inspiring creativity. While it’s a little bit further out than the rest of the routes, you can still get there by bus from central London. ”
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Golders Hill & The Hill Garden and Pergola
“While Hampstead Heath holds the limelight and rightly so, Golders Hill Park and the Hill Garden & Pergola offer a quieter, lesser known alternative. This route winds through beautiful gardens, ponds, shaded woodland paths, and leads you to the Pergola - a raised, ivy-covered walkway with crumbling stone columns and gorgeous views over the flowers below. Golders Hill itself is full of surprises - there’s a deer enclosure and a small aviary where you can spot owls among other birds. It’s a calm, open space with ponds, a café, and plenty of benches to pause on. If you’re looking for the beauty of the Heath without the crowds, this is definitely a detour worth taking.”
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Broadway Market -> Hackney Wick
“Start in the bustle of the market and head towards Mare Street and King Edwards Road. After a short stretch, the path opens into Victoria Park where you can have a wander among the tree-lined paths or cut across the open fields. From there, the route dips onto the canal and winds through more industrial surroundings past old warehouses, murals, and the echoes of raves gone by before reaching Hackney Wick. A walk that mixes calm and character with plenty of chances to stop and take in the surroundings.”
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Walthamstow Wetlands → Hackney Marshes
“Hackney is where it all started for us! This is where City Daze was born and where we (Rose and Zoe) became friends, psychologists and walking guides. Start from Walthamstow Wetlands and head down towards the Marshes - both mystical in their own right. Tucked in East London, the Marshes stretch wide with wild paths and pockets of stillness that make the city feel miles away. There are hidden corners everywhere, from open fields to secret woodland trails, but the area around the Middlesex Filter Beds is our go to. Pack refreshments as you’ll likely get lost in the marshes' charm and lose track of time. ”
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Cutty Sark → Greenwich Park Royal Observatory
“If you’re looking for a mix of history, green space and classic views, the route from Cutty Sark to Greenwich Park and the Royal Observatory is a must. Head off from the Cutty Sark Ship and walk uphill into Greenwich Park for the most beautiful London skyline and the chance to visit the Royal Observatory and Prime meridian line. It’s a lovely route that blends a day out in the city with the vast open space you’d typically get in the countryside.”
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Brockley Three Peaks
“The Three Brockley Peaks is a loop linking Hilly Fields, Blythe Hill, and One Tree Hill - three underrated high points in South London with some of the best panoramic views across the city. It’s a walk that takes you through green pockets, woodland paths, and open skies, showing just how much nature South East has to offer. Perfect for golden hour or a slow Sunday reset.”
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Battersea Park
“Battersea Park is a green gem right by the Thames, perfect for a walk and talk meet up. It’s got everything: wide open lawns, water, woodland trails, and a cool sculpture garden. We’d recommend heading down Terrace Walk towards the London Peace Pergoda for the views. You’ll spot swans, squirrels, and plenty of locals out for a stroll or picnic. ”
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The Green Park & St James Park
“If you find yourself overwhelmed in central London and looking for a beautiful park to unwind, within a few minutes you can be among flowers, wildlife and history. The Green Park & St James Park circular is the one. Tucked behind Buckingham Palace this route offers a breather in the heart of the city. Pause by the water or watch the Pelicans roam around before heading back into the charming chaos of the city. ”
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