Picnic Perfection During Your London Staycation

In between shopping on high-end high streets and in historic markets, and behind the sky-scraping marvels and the grand museums, London is filled with pockets of green. Covering nearly a fifth of the city, London’s 3000 public parks ensure the ‘Big Smoke’ is very much a green city.

London’s green spaces range from sprawling Royal Parks with hundred-year-old oaks to tiny flower-filled courtyards hidden away in some of the most desirable neighbourhoods. A London staycation isn’t complete without spending some time in your local park, and there’s nothing quite like a lazy afternoon picnic to really feel at home in the capital.

We’ve selected three of London’s best picnic parks near three of our staycation-ready London hotels for you to discover.

Harrods’ Hampers, Royal Neighbours, and Historic Hyde Park

Perhaps London’s most loved picnic park, and certainly it’s most visited, Hyde Park is a favourite throughout the year. This historic Royal Park might be the most famous park in London, but it lives up to the hype and is a great idea for a picnic destination during your London staycation.

From your base at the Millennium Hotel London Knightsbridge take a walk along fashionable Sloane Street towards Harvey Nichols, make your way along the Serpentine Walk and you’ll enter Hyde Park at the south side of the famous lake. Spread out over 350 acres there’s a lot to see in the park from Kensington Palace in the west to the wide-open spaces and the fascinating Speakers’ Corner in the east.

For picnics, one of our favourite spots is amongst the trees and footpaths that surround The Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens. Lean back against the mature trunks of an old chestnut and spread out your blanket with views towards the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s royal residence.

Your staycation base at the Millennium Hotel London Knightsbridge doesn’t only promise a great night’s sleep, it also puts you close to some great gourmet destinations for crafting the perfect picnic hamper. If you’re planning on a luxury picnic then head straight to the famous green and gold of Harrods, just a five-minute walk away. Whether you take your pick from the exceptional selections in their food halls or let their picnic experts custom make you the ultimate hamper, a Harrods picnic basket is always going to be a five-star experience.

From sprawling Royal Parks filled with hundred-year-old oaks to secret flower-filled courtyards in some of London’s poshest neighbourhoods, a London staycation isn’t complete without a gourmet park picnic.

A Notting Hill Deli, Japanese Gardens & Holland Park’s Peacocks

Just behind Kensington Palace, a pleasant 15-minutes’ walk from the western edge of Hyde Park is another of the city’s wonderful green spaces, Holland Park. Sharing its name with the neighbourhood surrounding it, Holland Park is a ‘small’ 54 acres when compared to neighbouring Hyde Park but is still spacious enough to feel a world away from the city on its doorstep.

Filled with charming spots that make it perfect for a picnic, Holland Park can be roughly split into three sections. In the northern half, you’ll discover fairy tale woodlands, in the centre, formal gardens surround the elegant Kyoto Garden, and the south is perfect for sports with its pitches and courts. Our favourite place for a picnic is the leafy northern half of the park, where squirrels share the woodland floor with Holland Park’s resident peacocks. In between picnicking, make time to explore the beautiful Japanese Kyoto Garden filled with colourful plants, delicate design, and a pond fed by a small waterfall.

Guests at the Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington are not only in one of London’s top staycation hotels, but you’re only ten minutes from Holland Park and in the perfect location to explore trendy Notting Hill. Exploring the boutiques and market stalls in Notting Hill is a great staycation idea, and it’s the perfect neighbourhood to fill your picnic basket. Head to 63 Ledbury Road in Notting Hill to the exceptional Ottolenghi deli for a selection of the some of the best al-fresco treats. And, if you plan in advance, you can even arrange for a hamper of gourmet-goodness to be waiting for you in the deli when you arrive.

A Petting Zoo, Picnic Heaven at Colette, and Boating in Battersea Park

On the south bank of the Thames, overlooked by a landmark Victorian era Power Station, Battersea Park is our picnic destination of choice for guests having a staycation at the Chelsea Harbour Hotel and Spa. From the boating lake to the petting zoo, the bandstand to the nature reserve, Battersea Park has something for the whole family to enjoy and plenty of pretty picnic spots.

At just over 200 acres, Battersea Park has more than enough space to explore. Take a walk around the Old English Garden, venture into the verdant Sub Tropical Garden, take the kids to meet the capuchins and chinchillas in the Children’s Zoo and hire a boat to row (or pedal) your way across the boating lake. Picnic can be enjoyed all over the park, but some of our favourite places to spread out a blanket are in and around the Sub Tropical Garden which overlooks the boating lake.

Offering an all-suite luxury experience the Chelsea Harbour Hotel and Spa is the ideal staycation hotel. The suites offer great views, are very well appointed, and have enough space to help you feel right at home. Battersea Park is an enjoyable 1 mile walk along the banks of the Thames and then across either Battersea or Albert Bridge.

Chelsea is famous for its well-heeled residents, and a staycation in the neighbourhood allows you an opportunity to experience some of the area’s foodie and shopping highlights. For a little piece of picnic heaven head to Colette on 315 Fulham Road and explore London’s most raved about delicatessen. They specialise in all-things-nice and will help you pick and pack everything you need for a luxury picnic in the park.

Experience your London staycation for even less when you join the My Millennium rewards programme. Not only will you get the best room rates on some of London’s top staycation hotels, you’ll also get extra room discounts, exclusive add-ons and upgrades, and dining discounts for when the weather isn’t so al-fresco friendly.