London’s Parks offer a free and relaxing respite on a day out in the big city. Some of the gardens are the most historic and beautifully designed in the world. As well as being great places to enjoy a picnic, many parks offer a great range of facilities, from adventure playgrounds for the kids, boating lakes, open-air theatre, galleries, and stunning city views.
Travel from Southend to central London from £11.50 return with our online advance ticket, plus check out our kids for £2 offer. Download our app and order a Smartcard for the quickest way to buy your tickets in advance and avoid ticket office queues.
Greenwich Park
Perhaps the most historic of the Royal Park’s, Greenwich Park hosts the Royal Observatory and the Queen’s House within its grounds. You can stand on the Prime Meridian line or explore the famous Cutty Sark tea clipper. To top it all off, the panoramic view over London is the cherry on the cake.
How to get there with c2c?
Take the c2c train to West Ham or Limehouse and change onto the DLR to Cutty Sark
The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Immortalised in the hearts of a nation thanks to the 2012 London Olympics, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is a great place to meet friends, to relax, to exercise – and lots more. Check out the park’s what’s on guide here to find what’s on this month.
There’s so much to offer beyond the award-winning parklands at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Free and open for everyone to enjoy every day of the week, there is of course the former Olympic and Paralympic venues – including London Stadium, the London Aquatics Centre and the Copper Box Arena, the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre as well as the VeloPark which is home to road, track, BMX and mountain biking.
There are also some amazing adventure playgrounds for kids, fountains to splash in, walking and running trails. Last but not least, you can ride the slide at the ArcelorMittal Orbit – ride the slide for less when you travel into London by train, with a 2FOR1 voucher from c2c. Access to the sculpture is included in the 2FOR1 deal, then simply upgrade for £5 to ride the slide.
How do I get there with c2c?
Take the c2c train to Stratford, or travel to West Ham and change for the Jubilee Line to Stratford.
Coram’s Fields – Parks and Playgrounds
Located in the heart of London, this is the best place for any adventure seekers looking for a super summer day out. There are two wide lawns for play, a large adventure play area (including a zip-wire for the brave hearted) and one of the biggest slides in town. Summertime is also a great time to visit as there’s also two large sandpits and a paddling pool too. The park also includes a wheelchair-friendly play area so everyone can have fun.
How do I get there with c2c?
Take the c2c train to Fenchurch Street, then it’s either an enjoyable 2 mile walk through the London landmarks, or change for the Central Line at Liverpool Street to Holborn for a shorter walk to Coram’s Fields.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is one of the most iconic parks in the world. In summer the large lake comes alive with people boating. In winter there is ice skating. The brave go swimming in the serpentine, while others dip their toes in the Princess Diana memorial fountain. Kids will love the playground with its immense wooden pirate ship for sailing sandy shores. Art lover will enjoy browsing around the Serpentine gallery. And everyone can enjoy refreshments in the Waterside cafes. Hyde Park is the ideal respite from the hubbub of the city.
How do I get there with c2c?
From Fenchurch Street walk five minutes to Tower Hill station and take the District Line to South Kensington, then the piccadilly line to Hyde Park corner
Regents Park and Primrose Hill
If you’re visiting ZSL London Zoo for the day then it’s well worth making some time to visit adjacent Regent’s Park. In June the park’s rose garden is at its most beautiful with over 12,000 roses in bloom. There’s also a boating lake, open-air theatre and breeding ground for hedgehogs! Stretch your legs with a stroll up Primrose Hill for some of the best views of London in town.
How do I get there with c2c?
From Fenchurch Street walk five minutes to Tower Hill station and take the Circle line to Baker Street.
