Best Parks Around King’s Cross

Parks near King’s Cross London

It often surprises our guests to discover how many green spaces there are within walking distance of the Mentone Hotel, despite the fact we are nestled in the heart of the Capital.

Whether you’re looking for somewhere to chill out in the fresh air, enjoy a picnic, entertain the kids or keep fit, I’m hoping this list of gardens, open spaces and parks near King’s Cross London – listed in order of distance from the hotel – will prove useful.

Cartwright Gardens

Cartwright Gardens, London WC1H 9EH
1 minute walk from the hotel
Open daily during daylight hours
Website

We’re lucky enough to have this lovely peaceful garden square right on our doorstep where guests can hop across and enjoy a bit of quiet time in the open air. As with the other garden squares in Bloomsbury and around the King’s Cross area, the gardens have a rich history, and were kept private for 200 years before finally being opened to the public in 2016.

The gardens were remodelled and replanted as part of the redevelopment and made accessible to wheelchair users thanks to newly laid hard surfaced paths. There are four tennis courts, which can be booked through the nearby University of London student halls reception.

If you’re into your trees, you’ll be suitably impressed by some of the most stunning specimens of London Plane in the neighbourhood. Definitely worth popping over for a wander amongst the greenery, or a retreat after a busy day in the city.

St. George’s Gardens

Wakefield Street, London WC1H 8HZ
6 minute walk from the hotel
Open from 7.30am to dusk 
Website

Shady spots and plenty of benches make this one of the nicer parks in King’s Cross London to stop and take a breather.

These gardens were once a burial ground for two nearby churches, and you’ll find evidence of this with the numerous ivy-covered tombs and gravestones dotted about. It’s a popular place for families and they do allow barbeques, but are very particular that cyclists aren’t welcome – so beware if you’re looking for somewhere to ride.

Tavistock Square Gardens

Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9BQ
6 minute walk from the hotel
Open daily during daylight hours
Website

This large garden square has a ‘peace’ theme with a statue of Mahatma Gandhi surrounded by formal flowerbeds in the centre, and various dedicated trees and peace memorials, including a cherry tree planted to honour the victims of the Hiroshima bombing.

The changing seasons bring an abundance of colour to these gardens, from the amazing cherry blossom and blooming laburnums to the bright Acer that glows brilliant red in the autumn.

Regent Square Gardens

Regent Square Gardens, London WC1H 8HZ
7 minute walk from the hotel
Open daily during daylight hours
Website

We do have our fair share of garden squares here in Bloomsbury, and Regent Square Gardens is another one with a rich history. Dating back to the early 1800s, the square was named after the Prince Regent as a nod to the Regency period’s architecture.

The gardens are planted with shrubs and flowerbeds, with a central lawn and path running through the centre, dotted with a few benches. There are also lots of original London plane trees.

Brunswick Square Gardens

Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX
8 minute walk from the hotel
Open daily during daylight hours
Website

Another one of Bloomsbury’s historical garden squares, Brunswick Square Gardens is quite sizeable and is home to the Brunswick Plane, one of the ten great trees of London.

There are also some nice flowerbeds, ornamental gardens and a few benches. There’s no children’s playground in this one – but it’s a really nice place to sit, especially on a sunny day.

Woburn Square Gardens

13 Woburn Square, London WC1H 0NS
8 minute walk from the hotel
Open every day 7am-5pm
Website

Located in the grounds of the University of London, these attractive gardens feature mature plane trees, flowerbeds, shrubbery and a lawn. There’s also a toddlers’ playground, plus a summerhouse and a good few benches where you can sit and watch the world go by.

Russell Square Gardens

69 Russell Square, London WC1B 5EH
9 minute walk from the hotel
Open daily during daylight hours
Website

This is one of the biggest garden squares we have here in Bloomsbury and a very nice place to relax. There’s a central plaza with a fountain, landscaped lawns, and mature plane trees.

Caffè Tropea is a nice place to sit in the square and enjoy a coffee and a snack – or even an all-day breakfast or brunch, a pizza, or one of their many pasta dishes. You can also get a cold beer, chilled glass of wine or a cocktail here – all very pleasant on a sunny day.

Calthorpe Community Garden

258-274 Grays Inn Rd, London WC1X 8LH
10 minute walk from the hotel
Open:
March-October: 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 12pm to 6pm weekends
October-March: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 12pm to 5pm weekends
Website

These community gardens near King’s Cross offer a range of activities, from sports and fitness to gardening and kids’ fun.

Toddlers are welcome in the children’s area where they can learn to grow their own vegetables. There’s an early years weekday programme where parents can bring their under-fives to get involved in arts, gardening and outdoor play sessions every Tuesday and Wednesday from 11am to 3pm. There’s no cost, but they do ask for a suggested donation of £5. You can join on the day or register here.

There’s also a weekend play programme for youngsters.

Adults are catered for too, with programmes every weekday covering everything from sewing and embroidery to Tai Chi, walking football, tennis, chair yoga, women’s football, an illustration class and Latin dance.

Coram’s Fields

93 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1DN
12 minute walk from the hotel
Open every day 9am till dusk (paddling pools open only during spring and summer)
Website

I included Coram’s Fields in my Things to do with Kids blog. It’s a huge space with loads of children’s play equipment and other family-friendly activities.

Across its seven acres, you’ll find a sensory playground, paddling pools and sandpits, an adventure playground and a wildlife garden. If you’re up for a picnic, there are a couple of big lawns where you can set out your blanket.

But if you’d rather not go self-catering, there’s a café – run as a social enterprise to raise funds to help run the park – serving hot drinks, sandwiches, toasties, cakes and snacks and ice cream.

Definitely one of the best family-friendly parks near King’s Cross in my opinion.

Bloomsbury Square Gardens

14 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1A 2HL
14 minute walk from the hotel
Open during daylight hours
Website

This is London’s oldest square, developed by Lord Southampton in 1665 as a piazza for his mansion. The pretty public gardens are surrounded by Georgian terraces and known for their bronze statue of Charles James Fox, who was Britain’s first Foreign Secretary.

There’s a children’s play area, lawns, trees and benches – and the gardens make a nice picnic spot.

Camley Street Natural Park

12 Camley Street, London N1C
17 minute walk from the hotel
Open October-March 10am–4pm, April-September 10am-5pm
Website

I am often questioned as to whether I’m serious when I tell guests there’s a nature reserve right here in the middle of King’s Cross. But there is, and it’s a two-acre haven of wildlife, meadows, woodlands and wetlands.

Set along the Regent’s Canal, the park is run by the London Wildlife Trust and offers nature walks, as well as various organised activities and events (all listed on the website).

Don’t miss the ‘Viewpoint’ – a floating island platform where you can sit and admire the views of the park and canal. Take the kids and get them looking out for all the different water birds – it’s such a nice day out.

Food wise, you’ve got a nice café where you can grab a tea, coffee or hot chocolate. They also serve cakes, bagels and pastries.

Red Lion Square Gardens

Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4QF
17 minute walk from the hotel
Open 7.30am until dusk
Website

Named after the famous Red Lyon Inn in 1698, these tranquil gardens near King’s Cross are set with lawns, mature trees, statues and plenty of benches. There’s also a café.

It’s reckoned by some that Oliver Cromwell is buried here – although it’s never been proven.

Handyside Gardens

1 York Way, London N1C 4UZ
20 minute walk from the hotel
Open 24 hours
Website

This is another one of the better family-friendly parks near King’s Cross London, although if you’re looking for somewhere to grab a few minutes to yourself, you’ll find a space to do just that too.

Located just off Granary Square, this nicely landscaped park offers plenty of places to sit and chill out, or if you’re with the kids, there’s an interactive children’s play area decked out with swings, a slide, climbing equipment and a sandpit. There’s also a shallow water rill where children love pumping water in and out and splashing about.

There’s no café in the park itself, but there is a Waitrose next door in the Midland Goods Shed if you want to bag a few bits for a picnic. Otherwise there are loads of cafés and coffee shops nearby.

Gasholder Park

King’s Cross, London N1C 4AB
21 minute walk from the hotel
Open 24 hours
Website

This little park is really something else – set within a refurbished gas holder frame and offering lovely views of the Regent’s Canal. The gasholder used to hold over a million cubic feet of gas when it was in use, and is the biggest of the iconic gasholders built in the 1850s that used to dominate the King’s Cross skyline.

It’s a nice place to relax and watch the narrowboats going through St Pancras Lock, and the circular lawn makes a great play space for children.

Lewis Cubitt Park

Handyside Street, London N1C 4UZ
23 minute walk from the hotel
Open 24 hours
Website

Bordered by trees and with a sizeable central lawn, Lewis Cubitt Park is a great haven if you’re looking to stop and relax, or if you fancy a picnic with the kids.

If you are taking the kids, they’ll be well served in the summer months courtesy of the SNUG soft play area featuring giant tunnels, trampolines and obstacle courses.

Regent’s Park

London NW1 4NR
27 minute walk from the hotel
Open dawn till dark
Website

At 410 acres, this Royal Park is one of London’s biggest open spaces and there is so much here to do that you might need to come back for a second visit – or maybe more.

With as many as eight cafés and kiosks, an open air theatre, a boating lake, cycle paths, over 50 bookable sports courts and pitches, 5,000 varieties of trees, 120 species of birds, wild meadows, a wildlife garden – and London’s only breeding population of hedgehogs – there is something for everyone. And of course you’ve got ZSL London Zoo here too.

Lots of people visit Regent’s Park for the famous view from the top of Primrose Hill. It’s quite a hike, but the vistas over the city of London are well worth it.

Things not to miss include Queen Mary’s Gardens in the summer when tens of thousands of roses fill the air with a heady scent. Avenue Gardens for its amazing floral displays set around historic fountains. The stunning spring cherry blossom. The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. And the four children’s playgrounds – including a 50 metre zipwire, wheelchair accessible roundabout and raised sandpits.

One of the best places to stop for a while has to be The Waterside Café where you can sit and watch the wildlife and boats go by, but The Hub Café is also well-loved for its panoramic city views.

Regents Park is for sure one of our guests’ favourite places to visit near King’s Cross so I’d definitely recommend you add it to your list if you’re keen to explore London’s green spaces.

Visiting King’s Cross London? Book a room at the Mentone Hotel and enjoy an unlimited, complimentary breakfast!

Located in the midst of a variety of attractions, as well as an array of restaurants, pubs, cafés and coffee shops and retail outlets, the Grade II listed Mentone Hotel can be found nestled in the tranquil setting of Cartwright Gardens, and surrounded by many parks and green spaces.

We offer over 40 rooms including a number of family rooms. There’s also free WiFi and luggage storage, plus we sell tickets for all the top London attractions.

Please get in touch to check availability. All direct bookings benefit from a 10% discount plus an unlimited complimentary breakfast – fuel for your day out visiting the many parks near King’s Cross London!

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