Check out my article about London's parks on Venere blog...

Battersea Park

There’s more to London’s green spaces than the Royal Parks, wonderful though they are (Hyde Park, St James’s, Regent’s Park, Bushy Park, Greenwich, Richmond and Kensington Gardens). Battersea Park is one of the best known of the inner city offerings with its boating lake and waterfowl, and a walk from Battersea to Sloane Square/Chelsea can accommodate a pleasant diversion through this en-route 200 acre, not so small, verdant area.

Thankfully, the park no longer tolerates the famous, or rather infamous, duels it once did during the 19^th century.

Today, it boasts a children’s zoo which is home to exotic creatures such as lemurs and meerkats, as well as otters, pigs, various bird species, rabbits, ponies...those should keep the kids engaged for an hour or two. The zoo is open all year round, from 10 am to 5.30 pm in the summer. Admission prices are £6.50 for adults, £4.95 for kids aged 2 – 15. There are family and season tickets too.

If getting and keeping fit is more your thing, join the joggers or limber up in the Millennium Arena running track, which is open between 7.30 am to 10 pm Monday – Friday, or 7.30 am to 7.30 pm Saturday and Sunday. Charged at around £3 for adults.

For a leisurely break, La Gondal al Parco is the café by the lake which, during the summer months, offers live jazz al fresco, weather permitting. Opening hours are Tuesday 7 – 10 pm, Friday 7 – 10 pm, Saturday and Sunday 2.30 pm – 6 pm

There is also the Tea Terrace kiosk between the fountains and zoo

For more information about Battersea Park visit: www.batterseapark.org/

Royal Parks what’s on information for summer 08 click here