If you need to take a breather from sightseeing and shopping, head to one of London’s beautiful Royal Parks, which are hosting a series of open-air Summer Nature Roadshows (to 21 Aug) and so much more.
Once used by the royal family for leisure and recreation, the capital’s historic Royal Parks are like lungs for London. They provide fresh air and a tranquil escape for everyone – even us commoners! Events regularly take place, from guided walks and bandstand concerts to open-air theatre productions and world famous gigs such as Hyde Park’s British Summer Time series.
Summer Nature Roadshows
These drop-in Nature Roadshows are perfect for families, especially little ones who can follow a detective trail to celebrate the season’s wildlife and reveal their habitats. At the mini museum, kids can take a closer look at birds’ nests, replica animal skulls and all sorts of creepy-crawlies.Interactive games, quizzes, storytelling and arts and crafts are also on offer. Even better, the shows are free (though you are advised to book ahead to reserve a place), so you can spend your money on ice cream instead!
The open-air roadshows take place between 11am and 3pm in Greenwich Park (5-6 Aug), Kensington Gardens (7 Aug), Bushy Park (13-14 Aug), Richmond Park (19-20 Aug) and St James’s Park (21 Aug).
So much more to do in our parks
Visiting Greenwich Park? Make a day of it and explore this royal borough, home to the world’s oldest tea clipper, the Cutty Sark (you can climb the rigging!), and the free-to-visit National Maritime Museum.
St James’s Park is perhaps the prettiest Royal Park – it’s surrounded by three palaces and plays host to many ceremonial events and military parades. Grab a deckchair beside the lake and watch the pelicans, which have strutted around the park since 1664.
If you visit Kensington Gardens – maybe after you enjoy the Dress Codes exhibition at Kensington Palace – check out the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground. This children’s paradise, inspired by Peter Pan, has a wonderful wooden pirate ship for little legs to clamber over. It’s due to close this autumn for a £3million revamp, so it’s your last chance to visit until spring.
Royal Observatory is also home to London’s only planetarium, where visitors can enjoy immersive experiences in reclining seats as they explore the night sky.
A special show will highlight the sky from the day of your visit and compare it to what was visible 350 years ago and shows how our understanding of the universe has evolved. Every weekend this month, live science demonstrations will explore how astronomers capture images of the cosmos using different types of light. Workshops on telescopes, sextants and young astronomers’ activities are also included in your admission ticket.
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