10 Best Parks of London: A Student’s Guide to Green Spaces in the City

Hyde Park — The Iconic Heart of London

No list of London’s best parks is complete without Hyde Park. Spanning 350 acres in the centre of the city, it’s one of the Royal Parks and arguably the most famous green space in the UK.

What to do here:

• Row a boat on the Serpentine Lake (very affordable)
• Attend free outdoor concerts and seasonal events
• Visit the Diana Memorial Fountain
• Catch a Speaker’s Corner debate on Sunday mornings — a uniquely London experience

Student Tip: Hyde Park is right next to Imperial College London and within reach of several UCL campuses. If you’re searching for student accommodation in Kensington or Bayswater, you’ll practically have this park on your doorstep.

Getting There: Hyde Park Corner, Marble Arch, or Queensway (Central / District / Piccadilly lines)

Kensington Gardens — Culture Meets Calm

Adjoining Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens feels like a quieter, more refined sister. Home to Kensington Palace, the Albert Memorial, and the famous Peter Pan statue, this park blends history, culture, and nature effortlessly.

What to do here:

• Visit the Serpentine Gallery (free entry)
• Explore the Italian Gardens
• Take a stroll around the Round Pond

Student Tip: The Serpentine Gallery hosts rotating contemporary art exhibitions — excellent for Art, Architecture, and Design students. Free entry makes it perfect for student budgets.

Regent’s Park — Wildlife, Roses & Open-Air Theatre

Regent’s Park is a favourite among students for good reason — it has something for everyone. With a boating lake, sports facilities, the London Zoo on its border, and the famous Open Air Theatre, it’s incredibly versatile.

What to do here:

• Walk through the Queen Mary’s Rose Garden (best in June)
• Watch a Shakespeare play at the Open Air Theatre in summer
• Play football or tennis on the park’s sports pitches
• Run or cycle around the Outer Circle — a 4.7 km loop

Student Tip: University of Westminster and Regent’s University are nearby. Students looking for student housing in London in the Marylebone or Camden area will find Regent’s Park extremely accessible.

Getting There: Baker Street or Regent’s Park (Bakerloo / Metropolitan lines)

Greenwich Park — Panoramic Views & Royal History

If you want a view that will genuinely stop you in your tracks, head to Greenwich Park. Set on a hill in South-East London, the park offers sweeping panoramas of the London skyline, the Thames, and the Canary Wharf towers.

What to do here:

• Stand on the Prime Meridian Line at the Royal Observatory
• Visit the National Maritime Museum (free entry)
• Watch deer grazing in the Wilderness enclosure
• Attend summer outdoor events and concerts

Student Tip: Greenwich is home to the University of Greenwich. For students studying here, student accommodation in Greenwich near the park is a genuine lifestyle upgrade.

Getting There: Cutty Sark DLR or Greenwich National Rail

Hampstead Heath — London’s Wild Escape

Hampstead Heath is unlike any other park on this list. It’s vast (320 acres), untamed, and feels genuinely countryside-like — remarkable considering you’re inside Zone 2. It’s a favourite among north London students and creatives.

What to do here:

• Swim in the open-air ponds (segregated and mixed options, small fee)
• Hike up Parliament Hill for the best free skyline view in London
• Visit Kenwood House for free art exhibitions
• Have a summer picnic with friends

Student Tip: If you’re studying at UCL, SOAS, or Royal Holloway and live in Camden or Hampstead, this park is your weekend escape. A great reference point when exploring student accommodation in London in the north of the city.

Getting There: Hampstead or Belsize Park (Northern line)

Victoria Park — East London’s Beloved “People’s Park”

Nicknamed “The People’s Park,” Victoria Park in East London is the go-to green space for students living in Hackney, Bethnal Green, Stratford, or Mile End. It’s lively, culturally rich, and home to some of the best events in London.

What to do here:

• Attend All Points East music festival (annual, ticketed)
• Explore the two boating lakes
• Visit the Victoria Park Village for independent cafes and restaurants
• Use the sports facilities — football, tennis, cricket

Student Tip: Queen Mary University of London is a short distance away. Students in East London will find this park a central part of their London student life.

Getting There: Mile End (Central / District / Hammersmith & City lines) + 15-min walk

Battersea Park — Riverside Charm & Art on the Thames

Battersea Park sits right on the south bank of the Thames, offering beautiful riverside walks, a Buddhist Peace Pagoda, and a buzzing events calendar. It’s popular, but never as overwhelming as the Royal Parks.

What to do here:

• Walk or cycle along the Thames riverside path
• Visit the Battersea Park Children’s Zoo (affordable)
• Explore the outdoor sculptures and art installations
• Take a rowing boat out on the boating lake

Student Tip: Students at King’s College London or Chelsea College of Arts will love Battersea Park’s combination of creativity and calm. A strong reason to consider student accommodation in South London.

Getting There: Battersea Power Station (Northern line)

St. James’s Park — The Most Beautiful Royal Park

Often considered the most stunning of the Royal Parks, St. James’s Park sits right in the heart of Westminster, between Buckingham Palace and Whitehall. It’s polished, beautiful, and surprisingly peaceful given its central location.

What to do here:

• Feed the pelicans — resident since 1664 and a true London icon
• Get the iconic blue bridge view of Buckingham Palace
• Watch the Changing of the Guard from the park side (free)

Student Tip: An ideal study break from the British Library or LSE campus. For students at LSE or King’s College London’s Strand campus, this is your green stress-buster.

Getting There: St. James’s Park or Westminster (Circle / District / Jubilee lines)

Burgess Park — South London’s Hidden Gem

Burgess Park is a bit of an underrated gem — it’s Southwark’s largest park and one that many students living in Peckham, Camberwell, or Elephant & Castle discover quickly. After significant regeneration, it’s now one of the most well-equipped parks in South London.

What to do here:

• BBQ in the designated areas (rare for London parks — and free!)
• Use the lake for canoeing sessions
• Visit the thriving community garden
• Play tennis, football, or cricket for free

Student Tip: Students at UAL’s Camberwell campus or Goldsmiths will find Burgess Park invaluable. Affordable living in SE1/SE5 makes it a common area for cheap student accommodation in London.

Getting There: Elephant & Castle (Northern / Bakerloo lines)

Richmond Park — London’s Largest Royal Park

Richmond Park is the crown jewel of London’s green spaces. At 2,500 acres, it’s the largest of the Royal Parks and a National Nature Reserve. Free-roaming deer, ancient oak trees, and incredible cycling routes make it feel more like the countryside than a city park.

What to do here:

• Spot the 600+ free-roaming red and fallow deer
• Cycle or run the park’s loop roads (cycling is very popular here)
• Visit Pembroke Lodge for a historic cafe experience with sweeping views
• Go bird-watching — Richmond Park is a haven for rare species

Student Tip: Kingston University and St. George’s University of London are nearby. Students who want a quieter campus life often seek student accommodation in Kingston upon Thames — and Richmond Park is a massive perk.

Getting There: Richmond (District line + overground) or Kingston (National Rail)

Living in London as a Student: Making the Most of Green Spaces

London can feel intense — busy, expensive, and relentlessly fast-paced. But these parks are your antidote. Whether you need to revise for exams under a tree, meet new people at a park event, or simply step away from the city’s noise, London’s green spaces offer something genuinely restorative.

Many of London’s parks are completely free to access, making them perfect for things to do in London on a student budget. From open-air theatre to free museum galleries, to community sports and cycling — there’s no shortage of affordable experiences.

When choosing your student accommodation in London, it’s worth considering which parks are nearby. Living close to green space has been shown to reduce stress and improve wellbeing — both of which matter enormously during your studies.