Parties and recreation: what's on in London parks
There's a wealth of things to do in London parks. 2016 promises proms, picnic spots and parties in the royal parks and green spaces in the city
England's green and pleasant land: Proms in the park, image courtesy BBC
Parks can be quiet spots of seclusion in a busy metropolis, a place for frisbee, spilled ice cream and errant dogs. But they can also be transformed by fetes and fairs into somewhere even more special.
Fling away that boomerang (and yell, "and don't come back!") there are more events in London parks in 2016 than you can shake a stick at.
Hyde Park
10 September: Proms in the Park
A live line up featuring newly-reformed All Saints, the cast of Matilda and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons competes with equally raucous events in the Royal Albert Hall for the last night of the Proms, when Britain unashamedly shows its patriotism. Bob along with everyone else and sing like a deluded soprano. We've been forced to examine Britain's place in the world this year. For one night, a Briton's place is at Hyde Park, making up the words to Land of Hope and Glory.
Our guide to London's Proms
Regent's Park
Until September 17: Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
Open air theatre season continues apace at the magical theatre right in the centre of Regent's Park. Overlooked by trees and fairy lights, but not by London's theatre crowd, they're putting on two firm favourites: Pride and Prejudice and Jesus Christ, Superstar. "Prove to me that you're no fool, walk across my swimming pool" (said Herod, not Mrs Bennett).
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre photo by David Jensen
October 4 - 9: Frieze London 2016
A week earlier than previous years (and hopefully a week warmer), prepare for Frieze art fair at Regent's Park, where last year Ken Kagami drew free comedy pictures of attendee's genitals or you could buy a Louise Bourgeois sculpture. This year there are more than 160 galleries exhibiting and something for everyone, providing your pockets are deep. For the rest of us, it's a day of nosing around and exclaiming at price tags. Keep your genitals to yourself.
Chelsea Physic Gardens
Daily activities
This garden in the heart of the Chelsea was a 1673 training school for doctors to identify plants with medicinal properties. From the useful to the beautiful, the gardens are now a secret place of respite for the city-weary and the plants provide a different kind of healing. There's a different activity or workshop each day, from bee-keeping classes to watercolour painting. Click here for the full schedule.
Hampstead Heath
August 27- 29: Summer Fair
Hampstead Heath is the surviving remnant of Middlesex forest and the highest open space in London. The view from Parliament Hill back into the city is worth the climb and the Hampstead Pools are the most elegant lido around. Quite rightly, their summer fair at the end of August over the bank holiday week end is historic, traditional and famous far beyond the village of Hampstead.
Too mainstream? On 2nd October there's a conker festival. May the best nut win...
Kew Gardens
July 23 - August 28: The Wind in the Willows
A theatre troupe tells the much-beloved story between two locations in the gardens in a leisurely promenade performance. Bring your own cushion. Or bring a few: it's perfect for children.
22 - 25 September: Write on Kew
Literary festivals are booked in everywhere but Kew's has a blooming brilliant line-up: Nadiya Hussein, Michael Rosen, Rose Tremain are all speaking. It's a lovely location to hear about everything from food to gardens to politics: Nick Clegg will also be making an appearance.
Clissold Park
10 - 11 September: Luna Cinema
Another park to be touched by a spot of Luna limelight is Clissold, with Top Gun and Ferris Bueller's Day Off showing in quick succession. Hackney, this is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by.
Queen's Park
September 18: Queen's Park Day, Brent
A popular park in busy North London proves it's regarded with great affection once a year at its annual event. It's a local-led, local-loved fete with a village feel. Ferret racing, fancy dress dogs and candy floss provide good, old fashioned, slightly quirky fun.
Fling away that boomerang (and yell, "and don't come back!") there are more events in London parks in 2016 than you can shake a stick at.
Hyde Park
10 September: Proms in the Park
A live line up featuring newly-reformed All Saints, the cast of Matilda and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons competes with equally raucous events in the Royal Albert Hall for the last night of the Proms, when Britain unashamedly shows its patriotism. Bob along with everyone else and sing like a deluded soprano. We've been forced to examine Britain's place in the world this year. For one night, a Briton's place is at Hyde Park, making up the words to Land of Hope and Glory.
Our guide to London's Proms
Regent's Park
Until September 17: Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
Open air theatre season continues apace at the magical theatre right in the centre of Regent's Park. Overlooked by trees and fairy lights, but not by London's theatre crowd, they're putting on two firm favourites: Pride and Prejudice and Jesus Christ, Superstar. "Prove to me that you're no fool, walk across my swimming pool" (said Herod, not Mrs Bennett).
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre photo by David Jensen
October 4 - 9: Frieze London 2016
A week earlier than previous years (and hopefully a week warmer), prepare for Frieze art fair at Regent's Park, where last year Ken Kagami drew free comedy pictures of attendee's genitals or you could buy a Louise Bourgeois sculpture. This year there are more than 160 galleries exhibiting and something for everyone, providing your pockets are deep. For the rest of us, it's a day of nosing around and exclaiming at price tags. Keep your genitals to yourself.
Chelsea Physic Gardens
Daily activities
This garden in the heart of the Chelsea was a 1673 training school for doctors to identify plants with medicinal properties. From the useful to the beautiful, the gardens are now a secret place of respite for the city-weary and the plants provide a different kind of healing. There's a different activity or workshop each day, from bee-keeping classes to watercolour painting. Click here for the full schedule.
Hampstead Heath
August 27- 29: Summer Fair
Hampstead Heath is the surviving remnant of Middlesex forest and the highest open space in London. The view from Parliament Hill back into the city is worth the climb and the Hampstead Pools are the most elegant lido around. Quite rightly, their summer fair at the end of August over the bank holiday week end is historic, traditional and famous far beyond the village of Hampstead.
Too mainstream? On 2nd October there's a conker festival. May the best nut win...
Kew Gardens
July 23 - August 28: The Wind in the Willows
A theatre troupe tells the much-beloved story between two locations in the gardens in a leisurely promenade performance. Bring your own cushion. Or bring a few: it's perfect for children.
22 - 25 September: Write on Kew
Literary festivals are booked in everywhere but Kew's has a blooming brilliant line-up: Nadiya Hussein, Michael Rosen, Rose Tremain are all speaking. It's a lovely location to hear about everything from food to gardens to politics: Nick Clegg will also be making an appearance.
Clissold Park
10 - 11 September: Luna Cinema
Another park to be touched by a spot of Luna limelight is Clissold, with Top Gun and Ferris Bueller's Day Off showing in quick succession. Hackney, this is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by.
Queen's Park
September 18: Queen's Park Day, Brent
A popular park in busy North London proves it's regarded with great affection once a year at its annual event. It's a local-led, local-loved fete with a village feel. Ferret racing, fancy dress dogs and candy floss provide good, old fashioned, slightly quirky fun.
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