James Stokes profile and recent articles

Clapham Common

The largest urban park in London, the triangular Clapham Common straddles the boroughs of Wandsworth and Lambeth. It is a hugely popular spot for anyone in South London, with large open fields and…

Brockwell Park

A sprawling 125-acre park famed for the Brockwell Lido; locals and visitors have been flocking here for a summer swim since back in the 1930s, and the lido retains its original design. Every year…

Victoria Park

Victoria Park, fondly known as the People's Park, has been a green oasis in Tower Hamlets since 1845. Originally designed for the East End's working class, it has transformed over the years into a…

Battersea Park

Battersea Park is a 200-acre public park that runs along the south bank of the River Thames in the London Borough of Wandsworth, a huge green oasis that offers a diverse range of attractions and…

Hampstead Heath

Hampstead Heath is a tranquil retreat just half an hour from central London. It covers over 790 acres and offers a mix of woodlands, meadows, open spaces and several ponds. There are three ponds…

Kew Gardens

History blooms at Kew Gardens, where Victorian grandeur meets cutting-edge research alongside the largest and most diverse plant collection on Earth…

St James’s Park

Perhaps the most royal of London’s royal parks, St James’s Park is literally the king’s front garden. Situated in central London between Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall and Buckingham Palace,…

Greenwich Park

Chosen by Charles II as the site of England's Royal Observatory, Greenwich Park offers a captivating blend of history, natural beauty, and breathtaking views.

Richmond Park

Richmond Park is the largest of London's Royal Parks, a sprawling 2,500-acre expanse originally used as a hunting gound by King Henry VIII. Amazingly, some ancient trees from his time still stand,…

Regent’s Park

Ah, Regent's Park—where London's charm blooms across 410 lush acres of sheer splendour. This Royal Park, nestled snugly between Westminster and Camden, is a veritable Eden of history, horticulture,…

Hyde Park

Fun fact: This iconic 350-acre park was once Henry VIII's hunting ground! Established in 1536, Hyde Park opened to the public in 1637 and quickly became the stage for May Day parades and aristocratic…