London City Guide - Further Distractions

London's Parks
Together, St James's Park, Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens stretch from Whitehall to Kensington in the west. St James's Park and Green Park are at the heart of royal London, close to Buckingham Palace, while Hyde Park's Speaker's Corner is the place for soapbox philosophers to harangue passers-by on Sunday mornings.

Kensington Gardens contain the delightful Serpentine Gallery, as well as the glittering Albert Memorial and the Memorial Fountain in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales. Regent's Park, just north of Oxford Circus, is home to London Zoo, while immediately next door is Primrose Hill, which has a fabulous view and chic village atmosphere.

Hampstead Heath boasts acres of natural parkland, the 18th-century Kenwood House, numerous bathing ponds and another fantastic view over the capital. Richmond Park is the largest open space in London, first enclosed as a hunting park by King Charles I in 1637; it still boasts deer.

Last, but not least, Greenwich Park is the oldest enclosed royal park. Situated on a hilltop with impressive views across East London, it provides a setting for several historic buildings, including the Old Royal Observatory, the Royal Naval College, the National Maritime Museum and the Queen's House.

All Royal Parks (tel: (020) 7298 2000; website: www.royalparks.gov.uk), except Hampstead Heath (tel: (020) 7332 3505; website: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk).

Serpentine Gallery
Kensington Gardens, W2
Tel: (020) 7402 6075.
Website: www.serpentinegallery.org 
Free admission.

London Zoo
Outer Circle, Regent's Park, NW1
Tel: (020) 7722 3333.
Website: www.londonzoo.com
Admission charge.

Kenwood House
Hampstead Lane, NW3
Tel: (020) 8348 1286.
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk
Free admission.

Highgate Cemetery
Resonating with the ghosts of such luminaries as Karl Marx and George Eliot, Highgate Cemetery is one of London's most extraordinary places. With some of the finest Victorian funerary architecture in the country, many of the memorials are architecturally listed sites. Visitors can freely explore the East Cemetery but can only visit the West Cemetery by booking the one-hour guided tours in advance (by telephone).

Swains Lane, N6
Tel: (020) 8340 1834.
Website: highgate-cemetery.org
Admission charge.

Horniman Museum
Housing a unique range of exhibitions that explore the cultural and natural world, South London's Horniman Museum offers fascinating permanent exhibitions including African Worlds, the Aquarium and the Environmental Room. The unusual art nouveau building that houses the collection is worth a look in itself.

100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23
Tel: (020) 8699 1872.
Website: www.horniman.ac.uk
Free admission.

Sir John Soane's Museum
The former home of Bank of England architect Sir John Soane is justifiably many Londoners' favourite museum. The elegant Georgian townhouse is crammed with Soane's collection of paintings, sculpture and furniture, all enhanced by the architect's ingenious use of top-lighting and architectural illusion. Highlights include the enormous Egyptian sarcophagus in the basement and a full cycle of Hogarth's A Rake's Progress.

13 Lincoln's Inn Field's, WC2
Tel: (020) 7405 2107.
Website: www.soane.org
Free admission.

The Photographers' Gallery
As Britain's leading venue for contemporary and historical photography, The Photographers' Gallery is the place to catch rising stars in the photographic world. There are three exhibition spaces, a print sales room, specialist bookshop and cafe. Although Great Newport Street has been home to a gallery for over 35 years, it will be relocating to a specially designed building on Ramilles Street in 2010.

5 & 8 Great Newport Street, WC2Tel: (020) 7831 1772.
Website: www.photonet.org.uk
Free admission.