Best parks in the UK, from Hampstead Heath to Belfast Botanic Gardens

Parks are more than just public spaces; they often set the scene for our most cherished memories, from first ice creams to first kisses. In recent years, lockdown reminded us just how important our humble local park was – suddenly it was the place where we exercised, socialised, dated, danced, played, cooked and relaxed. Parks have been the backdrop to all these activities for a century and a half, but they’ve changed over the years, too: fancy at first, before becoming run down and even a little scary at times, they provided a haven for teenagers and punks in the 20th century.

These days, as cities have regenerated, flat dwelling has mushroomed and tourism has thrived, parks find themselves in demand and awash with punters. From the High Line in New York to more traditional former hunting grounds like Richmond Park in London, the park is a place for all ages and weathers. But it’s in summer, as the mercury rises and the prosecco corks pop, that flocking to the grass proves irresistable. You can enjoy watching the world go by in your local park, or travel further afield to see the UK’s top open spaces.

I spent a year recording my podcast Park Date, where each episode I take a stroll with a famous guest – like Shazia Mirza, Alexandra Haddow, Harriet Kemsley and Christopher Biggins – in a different park around the world. Parks also inspired my latest book, City Parks.

I’ve put together a list of some of Britain’s best. From those boasting botanical gardens to renovated small-town gems, keep scrolling to discover the parks worth visiting this season and beyond.

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Victoria Park, London

The ‘People’s Park’ was a democratic undertaking, situated near residents with regular lives and incomes (unlike many Central London parks, which seem boujie by comparison). Shaped like a Wellington boot and wedged between two canals and some gorgeous housing, the park is a marvel of Victorian benevolence. Its Chinese pagoda was thought of as wildly exotic when the park was built in the 17th century. It also had a lido until 1990, and now’s the time to rebuild this outdoor swimming space. Victoria Park has plentiful cafes and pubs on its outskirts and is guarded by two Dogs of Alcibiades at the Bonner Street entrance – marble…