The Best Picnic Spots In London

Best picnic spots in LondonWhen the sun does decide to make an appearance across this lovely city then there is no better place for a spot of al fresco dining than the parks and green spaces of the Capital.

If you need some inspiration, or you just want to be ready with the picnic rug the moment that the sun does decide to peek through the clouds, here is a list of the best picnic spots in London.

Primrose Hill has one of the best skyline views in the whole of London. Pick up a batch of fresh cupcakes from the Primrose Bakery and gaze right across London as you scoff your sugary picnic treats.

Lincoln’s Inn Fields is an excellent place for a lunchtime picnic as there is plenty of space for all the local office workers and tourists alike. Pick up a delicious baguette and coffee from the Fleet River Bakery.

Clapham Common is perfect for some south of the river picnic time and big enough to accommodate fitness enthusiasts, ballgame players, lazy picnickers and even a mini boating lake all in one space. Head to Clapham Common tube and visit Macaron (22 The Pavement) to pick up a sinful patisserie picnic.

The Southbank is an excellent place for a picnic if you are not a fan of grass and you prefer to be within easy reach of a bar and some facilities. During the summer months there is even a stretch of beach to enjoy your sandwiches on. Grab some treats from the pop-up Dishoom Chowpatty Beach bar and pull up a deck chair.

With High Street Kensington only a few minutes walk away, Holland Park, makes the perfect location for a post-shopping picnic pick me up.  Grab some food from M&S in High Street Kensington station and pick your favourite patch of grass in this extensive park.

Regent’s Park makes for a lovely, fragrant picnicking spot on a sunny summer’s day.  Head in to Camden Town first to grab your stash of food and then make the short walk up Parkway to the edge of the park walk.  Amble down the shady, tree-lined avenues until you find a spot you like the look of by the fountains, the lake or near London Zoo.

Postman’s Park is something of a hidden gem of a picnic spot.  It is almost magically quiet, compared to the hustle and bustle of the world around it, and you will find many a Suit in here of a lunchtime, taking a break from the daily grind.  Pick up some sushi at Itsu by St Paul’s station or a mouthwatering patisserie from Paul on Paternoster Square.

Parliament Hill in between Hampstead Heath and Tufnell Park has fantastic views south over London and backs onto Hampstead Heath, where you can burn off the calories consumed during your fabulous picnic with a brief postprandial hike. Head to Euphorium Bakery next to Hampstead Heath overground station and grab a coffee and a slice of clafoutis to eat in the sunshine.

Victoria Park is known as ‘The Regent’s Park of the East End’ and deservedly so as it is an equally impressive space, filled with plenty of perfect picnic spots.  For a non-traditional take on a picnic, head to popular local Vietnamese restaurant Namo and enjoy a take out lunch of spring rolls and tofu steak with aubergine in tamarind and lemongrass.

If you are a Hackney fan then London Fields is one of the area’s most popular green spaces and the picnic spot of choice for London’s young and hip.  It also has a phenomenal range of facilities so if you fancy burning off your picnic spread with a game of tennis or a swim in the Lido afterwards, this is the spot for you.

If you happen to be there on a Saturday, Broadway Market is the perfect place to fill up your picnic hamper with mouthwatering treats.

John Drew the author of the “Best picnic spots in London” is a London based travel blogger who likes to write about the London culinary cuisine.