yes, you can get your nature fix in the big smoke

if you live in London, you probably think there’s little more to the city than its greyness, busyness, & costliness. but if you know where to look, there’s a whole lotta green to be found.

It’s nothing revolutionary, but I love being in nature.

Growing up in the English countryside, I had the privilege of always being surrounded by it, though I didn’t actually start making the most of this until 2020. To avoid going stir-crazy, in the early days of the pandemic, I would escape into the forest on a daily basis. Doing so significantly improved my mental health, deepened my connection with the environment, and developed in me a passion for spending as much time outdoors as possible.

Of course, when the first lockdown finally came to an end, so too did my time at home, and I returned to my flat in London with a newfound obsession: walking in green spaces.

The city, however, is notorious for its greyness, busyness, and costliness – three factors that are the antithesis of what I now found myself yearning for and enough to put me off going in search of it.

After all, speak to any born-and-raised Londoner and I doubt they’d describe the big smoke as a verdant oasis, especially one to be explored without getting a Monzo notification that “you’re spending more than last month.” But, in spite of this, I decided to persevere and see for myself if there’s any truth to the contrasting claims that London (with its impressive offering of 3,000 parks) is the greenest city in Europe.

Safe to say, I’m glad that I did.

route recs!!!

Before I dive in, I should preface with a disclaimer.

When I embarked upon this journey of discovering my fave pockets of nature around London, I was based in Finsbury Park, so my strolls never cost me a penny and most of the routes that I’m about to recommend will take ya North of the river. With this in mind, I’m not going to tout these expeditions as being completely free (also because, like me, you may be partial to picking up a ‘little treat’ along the way), nor am I going to suggest that you venture anywhere I haven’t already. So, please forgive me if you’re south or west, as I’m only really familiar with the spots you probably already frequent.

following the canal from highbury fields to victoria park

This one isn’t the most nature-immersive, but it’s very cute to do on a Sunday, when you can end with a bite from one of the food stalls at the Victoria Park market if that tickles your pickle. Start at the top of Highbury Fields (with a coffee from profile if you fancy) and wander down the main road through Angel until you reach the entrance to Regent’s Canal Walk. From there, it’s as simple as it gets: follow the water east, passing barges and willow trees, all the way to Victoria Park. Enjoy!

walthamstow wetlands to hackney marshes

This one’s for all my wildlife lovers out there. Fifteen minutes from central London, hop on the tube to Tottenham Hale (if you don’t feel like cycling) and spend a few hours with your binoculars, trying to spot herons, cormorants, kingfishers, ducks, and geese. When you’re done marvelling at the fact that there’s this many types of bird in the middle of the city, follow the Rivel Lea south until you reach Hackney Marshes. If it’s a nice day, there are loads of pubs you can stop at along the way for a pint in the sun or, to keep things cheap, bring a blanket a picnic with you for when you reach the marshes.

clissold park / abney cemetery / woodbury down

This one has my heart. I couldn’t even tell you how many times I’ve done this circuit because I was lucky enough to live right by it for several years. Starting at the Clissold entrance by Sainsbury’s, explore the park by going all the way round (if you want to see the lakes, some goats (???), and baby swans if it’s Spring) and then through to Stoke Newington. Meander along the high street until you see an entrance for the hidden gem that is Abney Cemetery on the left. Go inside and follow the path all the way round until you exit onto the main road. Turn left, then left again, and keep walking until you reach Woodberry Down for, you guessed it, more wildlife. You can even indulge in some open water swimming here during summer, at the West Reservoir Centre, though I’d advise booking in advance.

green lanes to alexandra palace

This one, again, isn’t the most nature-immersive, but I’ve included it for all my fellow foodies. It’s a long, uphill climb to Ally Pally, so you’ll need some fuel before you get going. That’s why I suggest getting off the tube at Manor House and following Green Lanes north. There are a ton of mind-blowingly good cheap eateries along this strip so you’ll have plenty to choose from. And trust me, when you reach the park surrounding Alexandra Palace and get to watch the sunset over the skyline with the best falafel wrap you’ve ever had, the trek will be worth it. You can always roll back down 😉

following the parkland way through highgate / queen’s wood to hampstead heath

Surprise, surprise, I’ve saved the best till last. Maybe because I thought about gate-keeping it. Or maybe because it’s the longest of my recommended routes by a mile. But it’s the best for a reason: it completely transformed my perspective of London from urban hellscape to peaceful wilderness.

Keeping to the left, walk through Finsbury Park from the station until you reach a bridge. Once you’ve crossed it, you’re on the parkland way, a long stretch of forest that cuts through the hustle and bustle, taking you directly to the woods if you follow it to the end. Start with Queen’s Wood and work your way through to Highgate Wood, but be careful, it’s quite easy to get lost in there. The moment you’ve had your forest fill, you can carry on through to Hampstead Heath and end the day with a picnic, swim, and sunbathe. My favourite thing about this one is that you don’t really leave the natural world behind at any point, so brace yourself for when it’s time to head home and BAM, the city is there waiting.

yes, you can get your nature fix in the big smoke