I have never written about London on my blog before. However, as I mentioned earlier, I want to share more of my experiences, especially the remarkable ones, with anyone who has the time to read them.

The weather in London is becoming more pleasant, and the last Easter weekend was proof of that. I can sense how people’s spirits are boosted, and everyone seems to have a good vibe and a spark of positivity to share.

One of the things I love most about London is the abundance of green spaces and the magnificent parks that make this city so unique. There’s nothing like a bit of sun to make everyone enthusiastically head to the nearest park to bask in Mr. Shiny’s star. Well, I am not an exception. Last weekend, I had the joy of experiencing what I call the King, Hyde Park and the Prince, my lovely local park, Ravenscourt Park. Both places are full of magic, and I have tons of amazing memories. Here are the details of my latest moments there:

Hyde Park – The King:

I enjoyed a 5-mile walk from home to the Hyde Park Diana Memorial Fountain with my little man last weekend. Talking about Hyde Park is perhaps redundant! Everyone knows about it; everyone, somehow or another, has some reference to it. Nevertheless, I want to highlight my experience briefly as a snapshot of the many things to enjoy at this park, which offers a myriad of activities for leisure. The park is easily accessible from various entrances. You might enter through Hyde Park tube station and cross it over to end near Lancaster Gate tube, as shown in the map above.

Hyde Park is one of the most important parks in central London and the largest of the Royal Parks. It is open from 5:00 am until midnight every day of the year, covering a vast area of over 140 hectares of land.

Established in 1536 by the well-known King Henry VIII to satisfy his passion for hunting, in 1637, it was opened as a public space for the general public. Since its earliest days, the park has been a witness to history, evolving into a space for everyone to pursue various pleasures.

A witness to free speeches, events, debates, shows, and concerts. It is basically the ideal venue for hosting major events, from the Suffragettes’ demonstrations, taking place at the famous site Speakers’ Corner, popular for public speeches and debates in the 1800s, to more modern events such as the popular Winter Wonderland since 2007.

The park is also home to an exceptional habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna. Thanks to good management, new species have been reintroduced in the park.

We visited the Serpentine Lake, which attracts a large number of birds, such as swans, blackbirds, dunnocks, geese, and buzzards, among others. These delightful creatures dance gracefully around the lake and perform their perfect flights above the sight of fascinated park visitors. We were fortunate to experience their flights while boating on the lake.

The company Bluebird Boats, located at The Boathouse, operates a fleet of rowing and pedal boats on the lake. We enjoyed the pedalling experience while spotting beautiful views of the landscape, animals, and people enjoying themselves.

The cost of the boating experience is £12 for adults and £5 for children for a one-hour session. There is a large meadow in the northwest part of the park, providing ample space for wildflowers. This area simultaneously serves as a haven for other species, including insects, butterflies, grasshoppers, and beetles, which are vital components of the park’s ecosystem.

Other highlights of the park include Diana’s Memorial Fountain, a wonderful space for the whole family. On warm days, children enjoy chilling out and playing here. It is also possible to find several memorial statues all over the park, marking important people or events in the history of Britain.

Ravenscourt Park – The Prince:

I have visited this park possibly hundreds of times since I live in London, and it never disappoints. One of the treasures of living in west London, although not comparable in size to Hyde Park, with only 8 hectares of land, it does provide several leisure activities and a wonderful space catering to everyone’s tastes, making it one of the flagship parks in west London.

The roots of Ravenscourt Park trace back to the medieval manor of Palingswick, first recorded in the 12th century. The historic name still exists today in the name of Paddenswick Road, which runs along the northeast part of the park. Nowadays, there is still a legacy from the planting all over the park, including plane trees and cedars. The park is part of the Conservation Area Project in West London.

I have enjoyed living here throughout the years and appreciate the many well-maintained facilities provided by the park administration. These include a walled garden, three play areas for children, and a paddling pool that my son has truly enjoyed since he was a toddler.

The park also features tennis and basketball courts, a bowling green, and an all-weather pitch. While it might seem small, its vast grassy areas and pleasant spaces for strolling and running, especially during spring when the cherry blossoms bloom, make it truly charming.

Last Monday, I was blessed to share a beautiful picnic day with some fellow travellers, full of travel stories and even a bit of dance.

That concludes my snapshot for today.

Don’t forget to smile and be joyful!

“I find peace where the sun-kissed leaves dance in the melody of the cool breeze that floats through the air.” Saim Cheeda

Love from

💖

Jenny