Kids in London - Best picnic sites

A bread manufacturer has launched a poll to vote for the best picnic site in London - and Richmond Park took the top spot closely followed by Hyde Park and Hampstead Heath. They are encouraging votes (www.welovebread.co.uk) before the end of June. Other nominated sites were Greenwich Park, Primrose Hill, Docklands, Horniman Museum, Southbank, Postman's Park (where is this?) and Somerset House.

I thought I'd throw a spanner in the works and mention some that my kids love best. First of all is the windmill and ponds found on Wimbeldon Common and Putney Heath. We have even found lizards lurking in the grass there (although I realise that this may deter some people).

Near Embankment tube station is Victoria Gardens which has an open air stage where there is a variety of music playing for free during the week and this is a convenient picnic spot if you are on your way to see Trafalgar Square.

At www.cityoflondon.gov.uk you can download a City Gardens leaflet and a map of lots of the green, open spaces in and around the City. Lots of office workers enjoy their sandwich lunches there - as well as around the Inns of Court near Fleet Street.

www.royalparks.org.uk provides lots of information about what is happening at all the Royal Parks - and those not mentioned in the above survey but which are well worth a visit include St James Park, Green Park, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park and, of course if you are your way to the zoo - Regent's Park. Great views from there - and you can hear the animals.

I recently wrote a post about the wonders of the children's zoo and other amusements at Battersea Park and about events that take place regularly on Clapham Common.

And whilst the deer and formal gardens at Richmond Park are much appreciated by those of us who live in West London, the best picnic spot that way must surely be Kew Gardens.

Well, that's my view - what do you (and your kids) think?

:)