As the days get warmer and longer it’s only natural to want to spend more time outside. And what best way to do it than have a picnic?
Cities might not lend themselves well to picnics, but there are actually lots of awesome picnic spots in London. If you’re planning your own little picnic but aren’t sure where to go, this is the guide for you!
I’ve listed all the best picnic spots in London. While ultimately any park will do, I’ve included places that have particularly good views or are unique in some way.
So read on and discover the best picnic spots in London, which aren’t just simple parks!
10 best places to have a picnic in London
Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill is one of my favourite places in London. Located on the north end of Regent’s Park, it’s one of the best viewpoints in London.
From the top of the hill you can see the whole London skyline, with the Shard, the London Eye, the City and the BT Tower peaking above the rooftops. There are no trees that block the view, meaning there is also limited shade.
In summer you will find plenty of Londoners sat on the hill, eating and drinking while enjoying the sunshine and view.
Regents Canal
As a Londoner Regents Canal is one of my favourite hidden gems. You can usually see lots of people walking, jogging or cycling along the canal, but it’s quite rare to find tourists hanging out here.
The best picnic spot along Regents Canal is just behind Kings Cross Station, by Granary Square. Here there are huge steps leading down to the canal, which in summer get covered in fake grass.
In summer you can also find a big screen hanging on the other side of the river, playing big sporting events like Wimbledon.
You can either bring your own food or get take away from one of the many restaurants and food stalls in the area, then grab a seat in the sun and enjoy the atmosphere along the canal.
Alexandra Palace
After Primrose Hill, Alexandra Palace is another park with an epic London view. It’s not quite as central as Primrose Hill, but you still get a good view of the city skyline and some of London’s iconic landmarks.
Alexandra Palace itself is also home to a weekend market so if you’re there on a weekend you can get fresh food at the market for your picnic. The park is pretty huge, but my favourite spot is the hill just under the palace, since it has the best views.
Garden at 120
I have recently found out about the Garden at 120 and it’s quickly become one of my favourite free things to do in London.
Located on the rooftop of 120 Fenchurch Street, it’s a free garden with epic views over the City, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
The Garden at 120 is a very cool space, with a modern and trendy feel, with seats both in the shade and sun, a bit of greenery and a tiny fountain and stream. It’s a tranquil spot that doesn’t even feel like being in the heart of London.
It might not be the ideal Sunday picnic spot, but if you’re out exploring London and want to take a break from ticking items off your London bucket list, it’s the perfect spot to catch a breather and enjoy your picnic while you appreciate the view.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is possibly the most famous park in London, and you might be surprised that it didn’t rank higher on this list of the best London picnic spots. While Hyde Park is without a doubt beautiful, it’s not my favourite picnic spot.
Hyde Park attracts loads of visitors every day, both Londoners and tourists alike. While you can definitely find a quiet spot to enjoy your picnic, it will probably be busy most days of the week.
If you do go to Hyde Park for a picnic I would recommend either somewhere close to the Serpentine or Kensington Gardens. Sure they’re the busier spots, but if you go for a busy park anyway might as well pick the most beautiful spots!
The Scoop
This might be considered a bit of an odd picnic spot but it’s actually one of the places where I’ve eaten lunch most often.
I used to work just around the corner from the Scoop, and in summer I would always get take out food from Pret, Itsu or similar chains and then go eat it by the Scoop.
The Scoop has a circular amphitheatre style set up with big steps and seats, making it easy to sit together also in large groups of friends. The prime central location also gives you epic views over Tower Bridge and the City.
You might not be enjoying your picnic sat in the grass and shade of a tree, but the views are unrivalled.
Parliament Hill
Located in the south-east corner of Hampstead Heath, a park in north London, Parliament Hill is an excellent picnic spot. The whole park is a bit elevated relative to the surrounding areas, meaning there are sweeping views over the London skyline.
Here you can sit in the sun, or shade since there are quite a few trees around, taste the delicacies of your picnic, drink a cold beer and watch the sunset over the London skyline.
Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park is a brilliant picnic spot choice for anyone looking to get a bit out of central London, while at the same time exploring a beautiful and famous part of the city. Here the hustle and bustle of the city is long forgotten.
You can wander around the beautiful park and either find a picnic spot by the river, in the shade of a tree or at the top of the hill enjoying sweeping views of the London skyline.
Kew Gardens
The botanical gardens of Kew Gardens are the perfect backdrop for any summer picnic. Entrance to Kew Gardens is 9 GBP for adults, 4.50 GBP for students and young people between 16-24, and 3 GBP for children under 4.
The main greenhouse in Kew Gardens is also a very Instagrammable spot if anyone is looking to capture some beautiful pictures after their picnic!
It’s a little further out from central London, meaning the crowds are usually marginally smaller than the central parks.
Clapham Common
Clapham has become one of the trendy and upcoming neighbourhoods for your graduates and professionals to live in. When I first started working at EY the vast majority of my colleagues who hadn’t gone to university in London were living in Clapham.
That makes Clapham Common a perfect picnic spot for groups of friends. You can have food, drinks, play music and maybe even play a bit of football or volleyball without the risk of disturbing families with children.
There are often loads of people jogging, doing yoga, cycling or other forms of exercise, but Clapham Common is pretty huge so you will easily find a spot for your group. It’s also not a particularly touristy spot so you won’t find tourist crowds there.
Final thoughts on where to have a picnic in London
There you have it, the ultimate compilation of best picnic spots in London! I tried to be a bit creative and include spots that aren’t just parks, but also places with iconic London views.
Have you had a picnic somewhere else in London? Let me know in the comments below! I hope you find this guide useful in planning your own London picnic.
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