Published: 24/02/2021
Did you know London has more green open spaces than Paris and Amsterdam? Berlin also comes in a long way behind our capital in the green stakes.One of the reasons London fairs so well is the abundance of Royal Parks such as Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and Richmond Park, along with St James Park, Green Park and The Regent’s Park and the picturesque Primrose Hill. London also has Greenwich Park, Brompton Cemetery and Victoria Tower Gardens in Westminster’s centre to complete the list.
Nevermore than now, have we needed our parks and green spaces to unwind, play and relax, making this a vital consideration when choosing a new home.
So which ones should you look out for? These are some of our little-known spaces…
Putney Heath
Luckily central London and Greater London doesn’t just rely on the Royal Parks for outside space - or historical notoriety for that matter. Take Putney Heath for example. Where notorious duelling was commonplace. In May 1652, George Brydges, the 6th Baron Chandos, and Colonel Henry Compton fought resulting in the colonel’s death. On a Sunday 27th of May 1798 William Pitt, the then Prime Minister, who lived in Bowling-Green House on the heath, fought a battle with William Tierney, MP, luckily both men lived to fight on but only in the Houses of Parliament, fortunately.
That’s not the end of Putney Heath’s infamous history though. For many years the heath was a criminal hotspot for highwaymen. In 1795, Jeremiah Abershaw, the notorious highwayman, was caught red-handed in the Green Man pub.
Today two key developments by St James, Berkeley Group Ltd. taken advantage of the proximity to Putney Heath, Queen Mary’s Place, SW15, and Emerald Square, SW15. Both developments offer a design with a classic street layout, overlooking elegant squares and beautifully landscaped courtyards.
Wandsworth Park
Still within the district of Putney lies Wandsworth Park, the park is a Grade II listed urban park situated along the south bank of the Thames. Wandsworth Park was purchased for £33,000 in 1898 by Wandsworth County Council and public donations, altruistically raised for the public’s benefit. The park was formally opened on 28 February 1903 and continues to give over 100 years of pleasure to the people living around it.
Nearby developments at Putney Plaza by Royalton Group and 121 Upper Richmond Road, SW15 by London Square, enjoy easy access to Wandsworth Park and the river with its tree-lined boulevard and overlooking the beautiful architecture of Putney Bridge.
Battersea Park
Further up the river in Battersea, this park is a 200-acre green space opened in 1858 by Queen Victoria. The transformation of this former marshland area depended on the successful completion of the Chelsea Bridge. Once opened, the road alongside the eastern edge of the Park and particularly Prince of Wales Drive became fashionable thoroughfares for enjoying a Sunday afternoon carriage ride in the 19th century.
If you choose to live in Battersea, the Prince of Wales Drive, by St Williams - Berkeley Group, includes outstanding modern new buildings to take advantage of the exceptional location. Parks and green space surround the newly built modern apartments at Riverlight Quay and Battersea Powerstation and benefit from river views and communal gardens meaning you can enjoy the outside from inside.
According to london.gov.uk, London and Greater London have over 3,000 public open spaces, so if one of these doesn’t fit your tastes, there’s still plenty to choose from.