The oldest royal park in London - St. James Park

Which will take you to the main places of interest in London.

As already noted, the main colors of London are all shades of gray, sand, diluted with bright greenery of parks and squares. With them, we will begin our acquaintance with the city.

So, the first on our way will be Hyde Park - the largest royal park. Its territory of 1.4 km² is a traditional place for political rallies, festivities and celebrations.

In ancient times, the land belonged to Westminster Abbey, the famous monastery where the coronations and burials of British monarchs were held. And the very name of the park comes from the ancient unit of area measurement in Anglo-Saxon Britain - guides.

The guides measured the area cultivated by the peasants. In different parts of Britain, the guide had different meanings. For example, in Cambridgeshire the average gaida amounted to 120 acres of arable land, while in Wiltshire and Dorset it was only 40 acres.

In the 16th century, the lands were taken to the treasury and used as royal hunting grounds. A century later, the park was opened to Londoners.

The main attraction of the park is Serpentine Lake, where swimming and fishing are allowed.

Other attractions are Apsley House in southeast corner park, which houses the museum of the Duke of Wellington, and Wellington Arch. These objects are reminiscent of the fact that in 1815 Hyde Park hosted a historic parade dedicated to Wellington's victory over Napoleon.

Even in the park there is a corner of speakers, where you can make any speeches without fear of being arrested and punished. From time immemorial, complete freedom of speech reigned here, and it doesn’t matter that statements could radically contradict the opinion of the royal court.

Now Hyde Park is a favorite place for recreation and walks for many citizens and visitors. There are no roads for cars, but you can ride a horse-drawn carriage or a bicycle. Here you can also have a picnic or a romantic date.

The next park is Green Park. This is another link in the chain of royal parks. London aristocrats liked to walk here, duels were often arranged. The park is not replete with monuments, only at the junction with St. James Park, opposite Buckingham Palace, is the famous memorial of Queen Victoria, who loved to walk here.

This park also had a bad reputation for a long time. They say that in the Middle Ages it was a cemetery for lepers, who were brought here from a nearby hospital in the St. James area.

Adjacent to Green Park from the east oldest park London - St. James Park. This park opens the "green belt" of London. St. James's Palace overlooks the park from the north, Buckingham Palace from the west, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the east.

The park has undergone many changes over the centuries. Initially, there was an almshouse of St. Jacob (James), then it belonged to Cardinal Wolsey, then was bought by King Henry VIII. Jacob I Stuart ordered to drain the swamps and placed a menagerie with strange animals - camels, crocodiles and an elephant. After the revolution, the restored Charles II remade the park in the manner of the Versailles gardens and laid a canal. The final redevelopment of the park was carried out at the beginning of the 19th century, when George IV, the Prince Regent, ordered that trees be planted and the canal turned into a pond.

Numerous parks and gardens in London – favorite place recreation local residents. Almost every weekend, families with children, businessmen and pensioners try to get out for a couple of hours in one of the nearest parks. Guests of Foggy Albion also like to wander around beautiful alleys, rollerblading or skateboarding.

The best parks in London:

• Hyde Park
• Green Park
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
• regent's park
• richmond park

Each of the parks is unique and interesting, each has its own characteristics.

Hyde Park

In Hyde Park

Hyde Park is always full of visitors. The main attraction of this place isSpeakers' Corner. A tribune without a microphone on a small hill can accommodate up to 12 people at the same time. If desired, everyone can speak out in front of random people in the park, talk about pain, complain, or, on the contrary, rejoice with other people. There are no microphones in the park, but the audibility is quite good. Swear words are prohibited, as well as topics of violence and aggressive statements.

Interesting fact: Hyde Park has existed on this site for about 1000 years.

Myself the park is very picturesque, it containslake serpentinewhere you can swim. Near the lake is Art Gallery with the works of contemporary masters, as well asKensington Gardens.

Green Park

Green Park is small. It once hosted most of the events of the royal families. Now it'sgreat place to relax. There are no flowerbeds and rare plants in the park, but there arewar memorials. triumphal wellington archis located on the outskirts of the park and symbolizes the victory of Arthur Welsey, 1st Duke of Wellington over Napoleon.

The park does not close at night, unlike others. They come here most often by chance, walking around the sights of London - Green Park is located near St. James's Palace, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly Street.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is another interesting place to visit. The territory is 120 hectares,gardens are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Kew Gardens is the most authoritative organization in the field of horticulture. Scientific work is constantly carried out here, more than 30 thousand living plants have been grown,Research Centerand a library, as well as a large seed bank.

In a separate greenhouse grow flowers and plants that are difficult to see in nature, as they are high in the mountains.IN Palm House a collection of palm trees from all over the world. The oldest building, built in 1761, houses a restaurant called the Orangery. Athe main attraction- a path along the tops of trees at a height of 18 meters.

regent's park

Pelicans in a park in London

In a park in London

Regent's Park is the mostclassic parkLondon. Neatly trimmed bushes, well-groomed flower beds, clean alleys andmore than 200 types of roses– this is what makes the park classic.

The main attraction of Regent's Park is the London Zoo

The architecture of the park is planned in such a way that any alley or path in Regent's Park takes the visitor to the streets of London. Around the park are the old Marylebone area with many historic residential buildings, the Bloomsbury University District, the British Museum andBaker Street.

richmond park

Richmond Park is something mixed between a forest and an ordinary park.Deer roam freely, ordinary forest trees grow. In addition to wild deer, there are many small animals.

richmond largest of all parkswithin London and the largest of the royal ones. Main attraction -Pembroke Lodge, a forester's lodge, within the walls of which a good restaurant is now located.

Families with children like to come to the park, the place for recreation is very conveniently located - in the very center of the city.

Parks in Londonmore than enough. Huge in the very center of the city, small and quiet on the outskirts, with sights and protected by the state, without any frills. Everyone can find a park in London to their liking and have a great time there.

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Being largest metropolis, London is also one of the greenest cities in the world. In any corner of the British capital, you will need a few minutes to find a square, park or garden. Of course, most tourists first of all rush to take a walk along the alleys of the central Hyde Park. But if you stayed here for a longer period, then you will undoubtedly be pleased to get acquainted with the harmonious landscapes of other famous places recreation.

came spring days, and so you want, despite the vagaries of the weather, to enjoy the green lawns, colorful flowers, the first delicate foliage of trees. Let's start with a virtual tour of 10 beautiful parks in the capital of Great Britain.

1 Hyde Park

A traditional resting place for Londoners and tourists in the center of the capital. The vast park area gives hundreds of opportunities for leisure: picnics, jogging, cycling, talking on the benches, playing tennis, riding catamarans and boats, horseback riding, swimming in the Serpentine Lake and more. Hyde Park is internationally renowned for its Speakers' Corner, where anyone can give a speech, and has hosted many front-page events, including concerts by The Rolling Stones, Queen and the Madonna, look out for an abundance of memorials and statues, check out the Duke of Wellington Museum and the Serpentine Gallery, and don't forget to treat the swans, squirrels and doves.

2. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

This ancient park was founded in 1670 on the site of an apothecary garden by Lord Henry Capel.
- 121 hectares of beautiful gardens, buildings and greenhouses in southwest London, between Richmond and Kew. The gardens are not only a landmark of the capital, they are also an object of scientific research, therefore Royal Botanic Gardens is under the protection of UNESCO. Kew Gardens contains the largest collection of plants, with over 30,000 plants in the gardens and 7 million specimens in the herbariums. Experiences never end here: Bamboo Garden, Kew Palace, Victorian Conservatory, Grand Pagoda, Treetop Walk, Sackler Bridge, Water Lily House and more.

3. Green Park

Included in the group of Royal Parks of Westminster (Royal Parks), which is in the neighborhood, or rather - between Hyde Park and St. James Park. There are no water bodies here, but the atmosphere is charming. By the way, it was here that aristocratic duelists most often met in past centuries. But today peace reigns in the park: people relax under the luxurious crown of trees at lunchtime, couples in love stroll, parents play hide and seek with their children, and someone enjoys jogging along the picturesque paths.

4. Olympic Park

Giant complex with sports and park areas, as well as the tallest sculpture in Britain. Some of the facilities after the completion of the 2012 Olympics were refurbished. Now there is a park for walking, an embankment with lawns and alleys with benches, an excellent swimming pool, a large shopping mall, and the reconstruction of the main stadium will be completed in 2016. Interesting events, which constantly pass here, do not count. But among other things, a special bonus awaits you - incredible playgrounds. In such a place, even an adult instantly turn into a child!

5. Holland Park

Amazingly beautiful London park. Every season, vacationers are delighted with marvelous colors: camellias and azaleas bloom in spring, and irises and roses beckon in summer, and golden autumn enchants in a special way in the Japanese Garden, where white peacocks walk around. Funny rabbits will make you laugh in the Fox Corner, you can combine walks in the forest with a visit to the open theater and exhibitions. The east wing of the mansion from the time of King James was preserved here, which was restored and given over to a student hostel. All interesting places not to list: Ice House, Dutch Garden, Kyoto Garden, Greenhouse, Dahlia Garden and more. The park is open from 8 am to sunset, it is located 5 km from Charing Cross station: you can get there by underground - Holland Park station (Central-line).

6. Greenwich Park

- a wonderful recreation area in southeast London. On the territory of the former hunting grounds are the Royal House, the National Maritime Museum and Greenwich Hospital. And it is here that the famous Royal Observatory with the Greenwich meridian is located, dividing the planet into the western and eastern hemispheres. Greenwich Park is open from 6 am until dusk. There is a playground, a lake with a boat station, Roman ruins and a fabulous reserve with wild deer.

7. Richmond Park

The largest of the 8 "royal parks" and the second largest in the UK. Richmond Park was founded in the 17th century by Charles I. The colorful scenery and graceful deer have inspired many famous artists and filmmakers. You can enjoy the views at observation deck, and then ride a bike rented in the Parkcycle, go fishing, go horseback riding. Children will enjoy the playgrounds, while adults will probably be interested in golf clubs. You can eat here at Pembroke Lodge or at the Roehampton Cafe. Richmond Park hosts many different excursions and exciting activities.

8. Hampton Court

This palace and park ensemble known as one of the most beautiful in the world. The park is located 18 km from the center, on the left bank of the River Thames, in the Richmond area. Once it was a favorite vacation spot of Henry VIII. Here you can admire ancient buildings and immaculate man-made gardens. Or wander through the oldest hedge maze, commissioned by King William III near the palace. On a fine day, you can book a boat in Westminster, which will take you on a short but very pleasant trip along the banks of the Thames to the amazing Hampton Court.

It is surrounded by palaces: Buckingham, Westminster and St. James. This is one of the oldest British parks, created under Queen Elizabeth I. In the 17th century, the architect John Nash brought romance to the landscapes. Just a short walk from the noisy ones, marvelous nature has been preserved: 15 species of birds live on the lake, including pelicans, which are solemnly fed at 14:30. There are playgrounds, park alleys, where, by the way, films were shot more than once ("101 Dalmatians", "James Bond", "Sherlock", etc.). The park is open from 5 am to midnight. St. James Park or Westminster tube stations (Jubilee line).

10. Hampstead Heath

Located near Trafalgar Square. "Hampstead Heath" is visible from anywhere in London. There is a forest near the center of the park. This perfect place for outdoor sports - paths for cyclists and athletes, croquet and tennis fields, and in local ponds it is allowed fishing. The park alternates between deciduous forests, water gardens and wastelands inhabited by deer, hedgehogs, and foxes. There is a Lido pool, swimming ponds, a zoo, a children's creative center, 8 playgrounds. In 2005, the 9-meter sculpture "The Writer" became the main attraction. Hampstead Heath has old manor and residence.

All these wonderful places are perfect for people who want to relax their body and soul from the bustle of the city. And if we haven't mentioned your favorite park, then we look forward to your story.

10 Great London Parks updated: March 9, 2017 by: Annie Krasova

Despite the fact that London is a modern urban city, built up with countless residential and commercial buildings, there are plenty of green areas for recreation. cities always remain green and become the main destination for recreation in fresh air for all citizens and tourists. So, we will talk about the five largest and most interesting parks in the capital. Some of them are easy to visit along the way, exploring the city on a sightseeing bus

Hyde Park

(Hyde Park) - 2.5 km long and 1.8 km wide, considered one of the largest royal parks in the city in the west of central London, where members of the royal family hunted in the 16th century, and it was impossible for ordinary residents to get into in this park until the middle of the 19th century. In the lower corner of the park is the oldest London lake for boating, which is now chosen by ducks, grebes, swans and other birds. The park has enough paths and areas for skaters, bikers and riders who enjoy using them. At the northern gate there is a fountain, which on hot days is always full of cool people. carousels and attractions are installed, and the park turns into a winter center of festive fun, with its own Santa Claus.

Regent's Park

Regent's Park is one of the most beloved places in London in the north-west of the center. Like Hyde Park, Regents was the private hunting ground of Henry VIII and only became public in 1845. This park is home to the famous London Zoo, as well as the Open Theatre. In addition, Regents hosts various music, food and boat festivals. The park is dotted with 30,000 rose gardens, tennis courts, ice cream parlors and cafes. In 2010, a children's tree house was built at the gates of Hanover Gate near the playground, which makes Regents especially attractive to its youngest visitors.

​ Hampstead Heath

Hampstead Heath ) - a wild and dense park in the north of the city differs sharply from the clipped lawns and well-groomed flower beds of the central parks. On the territory of 320 hectares of the park, forests, playgrounds, ponds and uncut meadows stretched. In the hot summer time, you can plunge into the park ponds, or just take a walk among the wild thickets. In addition, from just one of the slopes of the hill on which this park is located, an unusually breathtaking view of the center of London opens up.

Victoria Park

Victoria Park - the eastern royal park, the favorite park of all children, with swings and interesting venues for children's creative games. There are many animals in the park - deer, grouse, Canadian geese, squirrels. There is a cafe by the lake with delicious local cuisine and tea.

St. James Park

St. James's Park is another central royal park that is adjacent to Green Park and offers excellent views of Buckingham Palace. One or more of this park are pelicans, which were donated in the 17th century Russian ambassador. They are fed daily from 2.30 to 3.00, but they themselves are not averse to catching a couple of pigeons for lunch. On south side of the park is the Museum of the Guard, to the east - the cavalry.

Have a good rest, and remember that Londoners cherish their green areas and living creatures with extreme care and absolutely do not tolerate disrespect for their nature. Be attentive to the signs and inscriptions, and relax at your pleasure.

St. James's Park

It is named in memory of the almshouse named after St. Jacob (James). St. James Park is located in the heart of London on an area of ​​23 hectares, formed on the site of the royal hunting grounds. This park was once a swamp, but Henry drained it to include this area in his royal hunting grounds. And he placed a menagerie with outlandish animals here. Charles II, who arrived from France after the restoration of the monarchy, remade the park in the manner of the Versailles gardens. The park was then designed by André Mollet. Charles II opened the park for everyone to visit and was himself a frequent visitor. From the bridge thrown over the lake, you can admire the two most magnificent views London. From the north, St. James's Palace overlooks the park, from the west - Buckingham Palace, from the east - the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the domes and towers of the National Liberal Club. To the south is Clarence House, former house queen mothers. It is currently the home of Prince Charles. Members of the royal family often have picnics in the park. It is famous for its collection of birds - more than 30 species live here. Even a colony of pelicans lives here - the Russian ambassador gave the first such bird for the park in 1664.

Hyde Park

Hyde Park, with an area of ​​1.4 km², is one of the royal parks in London, united among themselves into a single large green area in the very center of the city.

The history of the park began in 1536, when Henry VIII took away from Westminster Abbey his possession of Hyde (Menor of Hyde), whose name comes from an old measure of the area, and set up hunting grounds there. Since the 17th century, under King James I, Hyde Park, which at that time was the largest park in London, was open to the public. Under Charles II, the Rotten Row crossing the park, illuminated by the light of 300 oil lamps, became the main promenade of the capital, along which representatives of the English aristocracy walked in carriages between St. James's Palace and Kensington Palace. In 1730, the park acquired an artificial reservoir, shaped like a snake and nicknamed the Serpentine. Already in 1970, an art gallery of the same name, the Serpentine Gallery, opened in the park, introducing visitors to the art of the 20th–21st centuries.

In 1815, Hyde Park hosted a historic parade commemorating Wellington's victory over Napoleon. This event in Hyde Park today is commemorated by the 1822 statue of Achilles by sculptor Sir Richard Westmacott dedicated to Wellington, The Wellington Museum and Wellington Arch.

The famous Speakers' Corner is located in the northeastern part of the park. Since 1872, when a law was passed in England allowing everyone to gather and orate on any topic, including the discussion of royalty, this place in the park has not been empty. And today, every day from 12:00 from the impromptu stands, you can hear the performances of fiery speakers - from representatives of informal groups and young politicians to all sorts of eccentrics present in the park in abundance.

In 1851, the World's Fair was held in Hyde Park's Crystal Palace. Hyde Park has an attraction - the Animal Cemetery, which was arranged by the Duke of Cambridge after the death of his wife's favorite animals. There are about 300 stone gravestones of pets. The cemetery opens to the public once a year.

Today Hyde Park is a favorite vacation spot for citizens and visitors to London. In addition to water activities on the Serpentine Lake, the park has a racing circle and a place for horseback riding, there is a riding school. In the park, you can play tennis and bowling, go rollerblading along specially laid paths. A lot of people are attracted by spectacular events, including demonstrations, parades, concerts, gun salutes. It is allowed to walk on the grassy lawns of the park, ancient trees - elms, oaks and plane trees - create cozy shady alleys, under the canopy of which vacationers take refuge in the summer heat.

Green Park

Green Park, or Green Park, is one of London's Royal Parks. It covers an area of ​​53 acres (21 ha), located between London's Hyde Park and St. James's Park. Together with Kensington Gardens and the gardens of Buckingham Palace, it is an almost continuous open area stretching from Whitehall and Victoria Station to Kensington and Notting Hill.

Unlike its neighbors, Green Park does not have any lakes. In addition, only the Monument to Canada Pierre Granche and the Fountain of Constance have. The entire territory of the park is overgrown meadows. The park is bordered to the south by Constitution Hill, to the east by pedestrian Royal Avenue, and to the north by Piccadilly. Meets St James's Park in the Royal Gardens with the Victoria Monument in the centre, opposite the entrance to Buckingham Palace. To the south is the ceremonial avenue The Mall and the buildings of St. James's Palace and Clarence House. Green Park Underground Station is a major transportation hub located in Piccadilly, Victoria, with another stop at northern end Royal Avenue.

Greenwich Park

Greenwich Park is an old hunting park in Greenwich and one of the largest green spaces in southeast London. One of London's Royal Parks and the first to be enclosed (in 1433), it covers an area of ​​183 acres (0.7 km2). From here open great views to the Thames, Isle of Dogs and Central London. The park is open from 6 am for pedestrians and from 7 am for vehicles throughout the day, and closes at dusk.

Geography

The park is a rectangle with sides of 1000 meters by 750 meters. The park stretches along the hillside and is located on two levels. The lower level (next to the Museum, the King's House and, behind them, the River Thames) is located to the north; Climbing up the steep slope of the hill, you find yourself on a wide platform.

Right in the center, on top of a hill, is Greenwich Royal Observatory. To the north are the National Maritime Museum and the Royal House, and behind them is the Greenwich Hospital. To the west is Vanbruch Castle. To the south is Blackhes, and to the southwest is the Wanderer's House overlooking the wasteland. To the west lie several architecturally correct streets: Chesterfield Alley and Croom Hill.

Facilities

The lower level of the park contains a popular children's playground (northeast corner, next to Maze Hill tube station) and an adjacent lake with a boat station. There is also a herbarium here (next to the entrance to Greenwich centre).

On the upper level there is a flower garden with a pond and ducks, a garden with roses, a cricket field, many chestnut trees from the 17th century, a tennis court, a bandstand, Roman ruins, an old oak (“Royal Oak”, in honor of Queen Elizabeth I) and a fenced sanctuary where a few wild deer live.

Regent's Park

Regent's Park is one of the most beautiful royal parks in central London's green belt. The park was opened to the public in 1838, and John Nash took care of its arrangement in 1812, who planned to build 40 villas on this territory in such a way that each of them was completely separate, and neighboring buildings were not visible. The palace, which was intended for the prince regent, was never completed, and only eight villas were built, while only three have survived to this day. The Queen Mary Gardens stand out in the park, famous for their many flower curtains and a magnificent rose garden.

In summer, Regent Park hosts open-air performances and music concerts. The park also houses the famous London Zoo.

Kensington Gardens

Kensington Gardens is one of London's Royal Parks, located to the west of Hyde Park. For the most part lies on the territory of Westminster, but a small West Side belongs to the Kensington and Chelsea area. The area of ​​the park is 275 acres (1.1 km²).

The common space of Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Green Park and St James' Park are collectively known as the "green lungs" in central London between Kensington and Westminster.

For generations of British children, the park is the setting for the Peter Pan book, the prelude to the famous story of Neverland. For the first time about the fairies of the garden, Thomas Tickels wrote in 1722 in the poem "Kensington Gardens". Both the book and the hero are immortalized by a statue of Peter Pan located in the park.

Chelsea Physic Garden

Chelsea Medical Garden - big garden in London, founded in 1673 by the London Society of Apothecaries. Today Chelsea Medical Garden with an area of ​​1.4 hectares is one of the best botanical gardens in England, it ranks second in terms of the number of green exhibits growing in it after Oxford University. botanical garden. In the Chelsea Medical Garden, you can see the oldest fruit-bearing olive trees in England, plants used in medicine and perfumery, rare aromatic herbs and spices. A chic rock garden was laid out in the garden, created from “40 tons ancient stone, pebbles, chalk and lava.

London Zoo (London Zoo)

The London Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the world. It is located in the West End, in the northern part of Regent's Park. It is administratively subordinate to the Zoological Society of London, which has been operating since 1826. The zoo was founded in April 1828, and was the first zoo created exclusively for scientific work. The doors of this institution were opened to the general public only in 1847. Visitors to the London Zoo were the first in the world to see the reptile pavilion (serpentarium) (1849), the oceanarium (1853), the insect pavilion (1881) and the first children's zoo (1938).

Some pavilions of the London Zoo are architectural monuments, for example, the Clock Tower (Clock Tower, 1828), originally built as a pavilion for llamas by the architect Burton, or the Giraffe House (Giraffe House, 1837) by the same architect.

The only quagga lived in the London Zoo - an exterminated artiodactyl, a subspecies of the zebra that was photographed, as well as the only marsupial Tasmanian wolf, another extinct mammal, about whose life the zoo even managed to make a movie. In addition, Europe saw the first hippo in the London Zoo. And when in 1880 the elephant Jumbo appeared at the zoo, his name became a household name in English language for very large items.

In 2001, elephants, rhinos and other large animals were transferred from London Zoo to Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, also run by the Zoological Society of London. As of 2006, the London Zoo is home to 16,802 animals of 755 species.

Holland Park

Dutch Park is located in the west of Central London and is considered perhaps the most romantic place cities filled with lush vegetation and secluded corners.

The neighborhood of Holland Park is a fashionable area of ​​London, with expensive villas and embassies of various foreign countries.

The park was built in the 19th century on the lands of the former Jacobin estate. The center of the estate was the Dutch House mansion, which later gave its name to the park and the area around it.

The northern side of the Dutch Park is filled with lush vegetation, central part located around the ruins of the "Dutch House", the southern part is intended for sports and entertainment. The ruins of the "Dutch House" form the end part of the building of the Dutch Park Opera House. The park also has its own greenhouse, a cricket field, several tennis courts, an elegant Japanese garden, play area for children.

Richmond Park

Richmond Park is a forested area in London, which was once the hunting grounds of Charles I. On the territory of the park of 1000 hectares there is a deer population (650 individuals) living in natural environment a habitat. The park is home to many species of plants, different kinds birds and butterflies. You can walk in the park, go horseback riding or cycling, fishing in the lake is also offered, there are 2 golf courses. Richmond Park offers beautiful views of the old part of London.

Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Gardens)

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Gardens, or Kew Gardens, is a landmark in southwest London, which is visited by about 2 million people annually. Kew Gardens, covering an area of ​​121 hectares, was founded in 1759 in Kew Park by Lord Tewkesbury. The Gardens were later enlarged and rebuilt on the orders of the Dowager Princess Augusta of Wales by the architect William Chambers.

One after another appeared in the Gardens architectural structures that have survived to this day:

Kew Palace (Kew Palace) built in 1631 with the Royal Garden surrounding it, the plants in which have been preserved since the 17th century. A separate entry ticket is required.

Chinese Pagoda (Chinese Pagoda) (1762), consisting of 10 octagonal block-floors and a staircase in the center of the building.

Gallery Marianne North (Marianne North Gallery), built in 1880 in honor of the artist Marianne North, the only woman traveling at that time on her own in North and South America and Asia. The collection contains 832 works by the artist.

Alpine House (1887) - a greenhouse with an alpine mountain climate.

The Minka House is a Japanese-inspired wooden house replicating a 1900 building in the Okazaki area.

Chokushi-Mon - pavilion dedicated to the Japanese-British Exhibition (1910), a complete reconstruction of the gate of the Nishi Hongan-ji temple in Kyoto, surrounded by traditional Japanese gardens.

In addition to these buildings, the Gardens have the Water Lily House - a warm and humid pavilion with a large pond, Queen Charlotte's Cottage, Sackler Crossing Bridge, Shirley Sherwood Botanical Art Gallery.

Initially, exhibit plants for Kew Gardens were selected haphazardly, and only in 1771 the collection was grouped and described by the efforts of the managing collector, Francis Mason. In 1840, Kew Gardens received the status of a national botanical garden, and in 2003 they were included in the list. world heritage UNESCO.

Today, the collection of Kew Botanical Gardens is one of the largest collections of living plants in the world, it contains more than 30 thousand plant species, and the herbarium - about 7 million specimens. Kew Gardens has a library of more than 750,000 volumes and about 175,000 plant illustrations. Every year the Gardens hosts the International Garden Photographer competition.

Victoria Park (Victoria Park, Vicky Park)

Victoria Park, or Wiki Park - big park located in East London. It was built in 1842–1846 on the site of the former episcopal estate of Stepney. In 1845 the park became open to the public. Today, Vicki Park is a very popular public place; music concerts and festivals, rallies and meetings are held on its green lawns. The park has an amusement area and a public swimming pool. In addition, the park is very popular with parents with children - there is a One O'Clock kids club with a small zoo corner.

As the Victoria Model Steam Boat Club, the oldest rowing club in the world, has been located in the park since 1904, about 17 Sunday regattas are held annually in the park.

Hampstead Meadow (The Heath)

Hampstead Meadow, or simply Hes, is the oldest and largest park in London, its territory exceeds 300 hectares. Hampstead Meadow is located on a hill and is a hilly area with ponds, green groves, gardens, sports fields.

On the territory of Lug there are 25 reservoirs, including lakes, ponds and pools. The park's sports facilities include running tracks, golf courses and tennis courts.

There is also a small zoo in an area called Golders Hill Park, where you can see parrots, herons, deer, red-footed chamois.

Battersea Park

Battersea Park is a large London park located on south coast Thames, and opened to the general public in the middle of the XIX century. The park is known for its water garden with fountains and "Forest Avenue" - alleys connected by special platforms installed between the branches of trees. The park is a favorite vacation spot for Londoners and guests of the city - there you can ride roller skates, swings and carousels, play tennis or football, etc. In addition, the park often hosts fairs and exhibitions for tourists telling about the history of Battersea Park. In addition, there is a small zoo for children, boat station, stage for orchestra.

Osterley Park

Osterley Park is a large park located in the western suburbs of London. Its center is the mansion of the same name, erected by order of the banker Sir Thomas Gresham in the 16th century and subsequently decorated in a neoclassical style. Today, the mansion is available for visits, where you can see the original interiors of past times. The mansion is surrounded by a garden built in the 18th century. Osterley Park has a farmer's shop that sells fresh vegetables grown in the surrounding area.