An Unofficial Ranking of the Best Parks in London for Students

About the author: Hi, I’m Sophie. I’m currently in my final year at Brunel University, studying Creative Writing. You can always find me writing or reading a good book. Hopefully, you enjoy reading my articles and learn something new.

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Spring is here, and summer is fast approaching. Blossoms are blooming, and the sun is shining. With stunning weather and nature at its finest, a visit to one of the best parks in London is inevitable.

Whether you’re looking to test out a new location for your routine runs or seeking out the perfect picnic spot, I’ve got you covered. Keep reading to find out some of London’s best parks, and how you can make the most of your time at these hotspots.

6 Best Parks in London for Students

1. Victoria Park

The conversation surrounding London’s best parks simply cannot begin without mentioning East London’s own Victoria Park. Widely known across the country for being home to the iconic All Points East music festival, Victoria Park is an 86-hectare green space located in the London borough of Tower Hamlets. Sports fanatics have no fear, as facilities are available to participate in various activities, including tennis courts, cricket nets, and more.

There is also an outdoor gym open for all to exercise, and runners would also be glad to know that Victoria Park is a popular spot for 5k runs in the morning. The park also serves as a market site on Sundays. Victoria Park Market runs between 10 AM and 4 PM, with its vendors selling fresh produce, coffee, meat, and delectable dishes ready to eat (if you don’t fancy cooking a student meal!).

The best thing? It’s only a 20-minute walk from Queen Mary University, so you can head to the park after lectures!

2. Greenwich Park

Those living in Greenwich student accommodation would be glad to know that they can enjoy a wonderful day outdoors without having to venture out of their side of London. Based in southeast London (Greenwich), Greenwich Park is one of eight royal parks within the city. The park is not only close to the University of Greenwich, but also tourist attractions such as the Maritime Museum and Cutty Sark, making it a convenient location to stop at and soak up the sun after a long day at uni.

Just a five-minute walk away from Greenwich Park is Greenwich Market, meaning after basking in the sun, you could devour viral globe-trotting dishes from countries such as Ethiopia, Jamaica, Brazil, and many more.

3. St James’ Park

Based in the borough of the City of Westminster and close to King’s College London and LSE, St James’ Park is a tourist essential and a mandatory must-visit for every student in the city.

The park is merely a ten-minute walk away from Buckingham Palace, where visitors can admire the building’s beauty, take pictures, and fantasise about living the royal dream. After visiting the nearby tourist spots, a walk down the lakeside path would be perfect to round up your day out.

4. Hyde Park

A list of London’s best parks for students would simply be incomplete without a mention of Hyde Park, situated less than a ten-minute walk away from Imperial College London. For anyone looking to expand on their history knowledge, whilst visiting, you can walk over to Speaker’s Corner, where needle movers such as Emmeline Pankhurst and Karl Marx inspired Londoners. The option to travel back in time is also available with a virtual tour of The Great Exhibition 1851.

Hyde Park is also home to the annual BST Hyde Park music festival, and artists that have taken the stage include SZA, Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, and many more. However, the fun doesn’t have to end after summer comes to a close. During the winter season, Hyde Park hosts Winter Wonderland held between November and early January. The fair has over a hundred rides and attractions, and many food stalls to choose from when you eventually become peckish.

5. Regent’s Park

Spanning almost 400 acres, Regent’s Park is another Royal Park of London and is home to the gorgeous Queen Mary’s Rose Gardens and Boating Lake. You’ll also (unsurprisingly) find Regent’s University London right in the heart of the park’s Inner Circle, although UCL is just around the corner, too.

Hungry? Regent’s Park boasts several restaurants and coffee shops perfect for studying, from the Waterside Café to the Regent’s Bar & Kitchen. If you want to work off your food, you can head to the summit of Primrose Hill, just north of the park. Here, you can enjoy skyline panoramic views worthy of Instagram.

6. Richmond Park

As London’s largest Royal Park, you can find Richmond Park in South-West London, and its 600 free-roaming deer that attract students and families alike. Aside from cute animals in the woodland, you can also see century-old trees and panoramic views of St Paul’s Cathedral from Henry’s Mound Viewpoint - all free of charge.

Want to stay fit between lectures? Walking, running, cycling, and even horse riding are all popular activities here, perfect for University of Roehampton students whose main campus is directly adjacent to the park.

There you have it - some of London’s best parks to visit for students. Hopefully, from reading this, you have found the perfect spot for your next day out in the sun. If you’re seeking some other activities, don’t forget to check out the London city guide for students.

Find student accommodation near the best parks in London

If you fancy living near one of the best parks in London, we don’t blame you! They provide a perfect place to have a picnic, catch up with friends, or just relax once your lectures are finished for the day. Luckily for you, UniHomes partners with letting agents and landlords across the capital to bring you some of the most sought-after student accommodation options here.

Browse student housing in London - all with bills included - or check out some of the best places to live here. Once you’ve sorted your accommodation, put on some trainers and grab a bottle of suncream - you’ll be all set to explore the best parks in London!

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The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.