Quiet Places in London: Peaceful Parks, Walks & Gardens

Living in London was an interesting experience for me; however, I very much missed the peaceful tranquillity of the countryside. To counter my desire, I sought places in the city that were tranquil to rest my mind and counteract the overstimulation the city gave me.

As part of my research, I purchased a copy of a book called Quiet London to point me toward a few hidden gems. The book validated my need to avoid overstimulation, too.

Parks and Quiet Gardens to Relax in London

Some tried-and-tested quiet places in London that I used to escape from the hustle and bustle when visiting.

Hyde Park

Hyde Park is famous for excellent reasons. It is one of the more prominent parks in London and attracts lots of tourists. The Serpentine is the lake in the centre, home to many birds, including a flock of swans. Outside the busy tourist season, the park is still active, but there is always a chance to find a quiet spot. There are many trees to sit under off the main paths and have a read or watch the world go by.

Feeding the birds is a guilty pleasure of mine; the swans and geese with wholemeal bread as directed by signs in the park. The herons are an unusual breed for people to feed, but they seem to enjoy a slice of belly pork. The herons made short shrift of the pork and, over time, used to stalk me, awaiting food. Another amazing experience is the starlings. They are tame enough to eat breadcrumbs from your hands if you sit still.

The Italian Gardens

Near Hyde Park and Lancaster Gate tube station in Westminster are the Italian Gardens. The gardens are a nice place for dog walks or for sitting and relaxing at most times of the year. These gardens are at the far end of the Serpentine Lake and are classed as part of Kensington Gardens.

This is a very picturesque park with multiple carved historic pools, many fountains, and sculptures. There are many footpaths to walk around and enjoy the scenery. These can lead to either Kensington or Hyde Park. The gardens date back to 1860 and were a gift from Prince Albert to Queen Victoria.

Thames Barrier Park

I discovered Barrier Park while perusing a book about quiet places to visit in the city. This is a park on the opposite bank of the Thames from the Thames Barrier’s principal attraction. The park has fantastic views of the barrier and is quiet, as the book promised. This is a great place for photographing the impressive structure, sitting on the riverside, and watching the river flow by.

Thames Barrier Park is 7 hectares of green space with landscaped gardens, hedgerows and an abundance of flowers. It is in the Royal Docks, near Pontoon Dock on the DLR. It is a newish park and only opened its gates in 2000.

Kew Gardens

Another tranquil spot in London is the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew. It is a fantastic day out for those who love to see or relax among perfectly landscaped greenery and flowers. Kew has a vast selection of plants, trees, and flowers for visitors to see, as well as many quiet spots for reflection.

Hampstead Heath

Hampstead Heath is a lovely place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. There are lots of trails, including through woodland, to find a quiet spot to sit and ponder. There are also tranquil pools to sit by and enjoy the water’s relaxing nature. You can also go for a swim in Hampstead Ponds, including the ladies’ or a mixed swimming pond. There’s plenty of wildlife to spot while exploring Hampstead Heath, too.

St James’s Park

A short walk from many of London’s prime sites is St James’s Park. It’s a nice place to chill out between some pretty epic sightseeing. I’ve always managed to find a quiet spot away from high-foot-traffic areas. The lake in St James’s Park adds to its relaxing nature, and there are many spots to sit and enjoy the views of the water. There are a few refreshment stands selling snacks, coffee or overpriced tiny beers.

I usually pack a can if planning to chill in the park. M&S and Tesco both have cold beers. Autumn is a great time to visit, and the changing colours certainly add to the vibe. If you enjoy watching wildlife in the parks, St James’s has fascinating birds and friendly squirrels. Overall, St James’s Park is a lovely place near Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade.

Canals, Riverside Walks and Waterside Places

Canals at Westbourne Grove

The walk from Westbourne Grove along the canals is a rather quiet place to relax and take a step back from London life. There’s lots of greenery here, as well as some nice wildlife. Many wildfowl call this place home, and the water is rather clear. There are many boats moored up on the banks to see, too.

I particularly find canals relaxing, especially when they are quiet. This towpath leads to or away from Little Venice behind the Paddington train station. Little Venice is a brilliant spot to head towards after stretching your legs.

River Lee Navigation

The River Lee Navigation was one of many walks that I enjoyed while living in London. It’s a place with narrowboats, a canal, and the Tottenham Marshes nearby. I found it a rather quiet walking route, and it was a relaxing few hours. Once away from the footpath entrances, the tranquillity became apparent.

Tower of London After Dark

After the tourists have gone home and the sun has gone down, the area surrounding the Tower of London is a fantastic, quiet spot. The crowds have gone, and the benches are empty for a sit-down and a view. There are many things to see while chilling out here after dark. The Tower of London and Tower Bridge, both lit up, are special.

Also nearby is Trinity Square Gardens, a pleasant place to sit and enjoy in the daytime or evening. After dark, the nearby buildings are well lit; however, you can see more of the gardens’ features while enjoying the green space.

Victoria Embankment Gardens

Alongside the north bank of the River Thames, downstream of Big Ben, is the Whitehall Extension of Victoria Embankment Gardens. They are a nice place to hang out with pretty surroundings and plenty of benches to sit on. As a bonus, there are a few statues to see near the flower beds.

Whitehall Gardens

Also on the north bank of the Thames is the historic Whitehall Gardens. The famous Horse Guards building, which is rather pretty, overlooks Whitehall Gardens. The garden has places to sit, some statues and pretty flower beds during the warmer months.

Central London Squares and Gardens

Soho Square

Another place to collect your thoughts and see some interesting things is Soho Square. Soho Square is one of the older squares in the capital, dating from 1681. Soho Square is basically a park with a Tudor-style lodge in the centre of Soho. There are a few benches to sit on and the lawn, too, when dry.

Victoria Tower Gardens

Another cool public space with tranquil views I found was Victoria Tower Gardens South. These are right next door to Westminster Palace and the Houses of Parliament. The gardens also have river views, which always seem to add to the tranquillity for me. The garden also has statues and memorials to see while perusing the area. There are benches to sit on, and in nice weather, the lawn is a great place to plonk your bum.

Dean’s Yard in Westminster

Dean’s Yard is a lovely and quiet place away from the nearby crowds of the attractions in Westminster. This is a beautiful square with grass in the middle. Dean’s Yard has some amazing views, including the spires of Westminster Abbey.

Dean’s Yard is on the site of the former monastery farmyard. Since the 18th century, there have been three rows of trees, including maple, sycamore, and red horse chestnut. It’s a popular spot for the pupils at Westminster School; however, it was quiet when I wandered through.

Cavendish Square

An area of open space for a chill after shopping on Bond Street is Cavendish Square. This is a lovely place at the rear of the big John Lewis store. Cavendish Square dates back to 1717 and was laid out by the 2nd Earl of Oxford. The square is tree-lined and thus has plenty of shade to enjoy the park’s benches. As a bonus, there are some sculptures to see while relaxing.

Historic Gardens and Churchyards

Trinity Square Gardens

A nice bit of green space to enjoy is Trinity Square Gardens. Trinity Square Gardens has pleasant features and nearby interesting buildings. It’s one of the quieter places in the area, with plenty of seating. One of the highlights is the views of the Tower of London.

Originally established in 1797, the gardens were restored in 2003. The centrepiece of the gardens is the memorial to the merchant seamen who died in both World Wars.

Postman’s Park

A random find while heading to St Paul’s Cathedral was Postman’s Park, a haven of peace before hitting the busier spot. It is one of the largest open spaces in the City of London and is on the site of the former General Post Office headquarters. Here you can see the London City Presbyterian Church, a memorial sundial and a historic Police Telephone Post.

Smithfield Rotunda Garden

Near the hustle and bustle of Smithfield Market and Barbican station is Smithfield Rotunda Garden, which has all the ingredients of a chilled-out place: benches, shade and a focal point, the Peace Memorial Fountain. This is open from dawn to dusk daily.

St Bartholomew the Great Churchyard

Churchyards are usually tranquil places, and the one at St Bartholomew the Great Church was very nice and quiet. St Bartholomew the Great is near the busy Smithfield Market and the Barbican tube station. Its churchyard has excellent views of the church, benches to sit on and big trees for shade. I visited in autumn, so I had the bonus of colourful foliage too.