Tipped

Regents Park of course! There are lots of different 'areas'. I like to picnic by the playing fields so I can purve at the boys playing soccer. I'm joking :) It can get really busy on the weekends but lovely after work when the sun is still shining late summer.

Primrose Hill for great views, and Hampstead Heath for getting away to the countryside without leaving London. It is really worth the trip to the Heath; and excellent with a bicycle for exploring.

I almost forgot Richmond Park - again feel like you are out of London. Well actually you are since it is in Surrey, but you can get there by tube. The deer running around is sweet. And then Greenwich Park for history, views and the Observatory. There are also some nice pubs around Greenwich park to top and tail your sun-tanning.

Bring on summer!

Totally agree with Jo W. Regent's Park is by far my favourite park in London (and maybe the world) as there are so many different and unique areas and I love the English flower gardens that are on the Southeast side of the park.

We also usually spend one Sunday a month hiking around Hampstead Heath. It's huge and more rugged and full of gentle hills so you actually feel like you're getting some exercise. We took a disposable BBQ there last summer (technically not allowed so go to the Highgate side and find somewhere hidden). I love the swimming ponds on the Highgate side too. Great for a hot, sunny day.

But the jewel in the crown has to be Waterlow Park, kindly left to the nation by Sir Sydney Waterlow as "a garden for the gardenless". It's located just down from Highgate Village and adjacent to the cemetery. Although the acreage is modest, it has stunning views across London, ponds, tennis courts, a cafe, play ground and well kept flower beds. Hard to beat unless you want a game of five-a-side in which case the sharp incline will make for an eternity of ball chasing.

I'm looking forward to Open Garden Squares weekend: http://www.opensquares.org/

I'm always jealous of those lovely manicured neighborhood gardens that you normally need a key to get into. On this one weekend you get to go in and enjoy them, even if the the other 363 days of the year you're totally unworthy.