Perfect Picnic Spots

Battersea Park is one of London’s most treasured parks and a great picnic spot for the whole family.

The entire park offers countless great locations to soak up the sun and fun. Lay your blanket down near the lake to watch rowers sail across the water, or head over to the bowling green for a leisurely game. Later pop into the Children’s Zoo at Chelsea Gate on Queenstown Road for animal encounters sure to delight the kids as well as the adults. The Zoo does charge a small admittance fee.
    
South Park Gardens in Wimbledon, restored in 2009, is now more beautiful than ever. The newly planted wild flower meadow is located around the large cedar tree in the northeast corner of the Gardens and makes for a particularly splendid picnic spot.

For something a little less-traditional head to Colliers Tup Pub. For only £10 you can rent one of their many barbeques which are fully equipped with coal, tongs, paper plates and napkins; just bring your own food to grill - exactly the way you like it. Make sure to bring your friends, Colliers has one of the largest gardens around and there’s plenty of room for barbequing (198 High Street, Colliers Wood, London SW19 2BH). After your cookout, stroll over to neighbouring Wandle Park. This heavily wooded park is a great escape from the city.

The Queen’s Promenade stretches south from Kingston Bridge to Ravens Ait and parallels the Thames. Take a leisurely stroll along the 1.5 kilometre-long strip of grass until you find the perfect spot to sit and relax. Enjoy your packed lunch while taking in the sites. The Thames is always buzzing with different types of boating activity from rowing to yachting to cruisers.

Epsom Common is a local nature reserve, approximately 435 acres in size, encompassing over five ponds and several diverse habitats. An interesting array of amphibians can be observed at the Great Pond which frogs, tufted ducks and mallards all call home. For some post-picnic entertainment hook your bait and head over to Stew Pond where fishing is permitted.