English level: B1-C2

In the hustle and the bustle of the city it can sometimes feel like a challenge to find a spot to relax. As we step into the summer months, and the weather heats up, we’re looking at beautiful spots around the city where you can find a bite to eat, enjoy the sunshine and de-stress! Take a look at our list of locations and you might find a beautiful spot you can enjoy. 

 

     

Holborn

Lincoln’s Inn Fields – Famous as a hidden gem in London, Lincoln’s Inn Fields and the surrounding buildings have remained untouched for decades. It is where some of the best lawyers in the world work, and was originally built in the 1500’s. The buildings have grown and developed over the last 500 years, but at the centre is a beautiful garden anyone can access. If you’re lucky enough to be in the area, you must visit this amazing spot! 

Bloomsbury Square Garden – This beautiful park is surrounded by very impressive buildings. Full of benches, trees and local office workers, it provides a fantastic spot to soak up sunshine and a little London atmosphere. Nearby is the main road of Holborn, where you can find a huge range of eateries to choose from. 

Russell Square – This is the perfect lunch spot, beautiful green lawns as well as a lovely cafe, there’s everything you could need in Russell Square. With a gorgeous fountain in the middle, and surrounded by impressive architecture, this park is many Londoner’s favourite.  

 

Canary Wharf

Westferry Circus – Located at the edge of Canary Wharf, this area has some impressive views. Standing on the edge of the river, you can turn behind yourself and see Canary Wharf in all its glory, or look forward to the City of London and the beautiful city centre. There are a couple of cafes and restaurants here, or if you’ve brought your own lunch, there’s steps, benches and grass you can sit on and enjoy the view. 

Limehouse Basin – Why not hop on the DLR and take the 3-4 minute trip down to the Limehouse Basin? Jump off at the stop ‘Limehouse’ and check out this beautiful marina. At the meeting point of several canals, boats dock here and fill the space. There are plenty of spots around the edge of the marina to sit and take it all in. 

 

London Bridge 

Leathermarket Gardens – Full to the brim of bushes and flowers, Leathermarket Gardens are a small haven tucked away near London Bridge station. You can enjoy impressive views of the tallest building in London, The Shard, from this park. A wonderful place to tuck in to a tasty treat. 

Potters Field Park – Located next to the river, right by Tower Bridge this park is the perfect spot to switch off and watch the world go by. The open expanse of water helps take your mind off the hectic city, and there’s plenty of grass to sit back and relax on. You can enjoy the iconic architecture of this world famous bridge, as well as the gorgeous British sunshine! 

 

The City of London

St Gabriel’s Churchyard – Tucked away in a courtyard, this small park features plants and modern sculptures. There are plenty of benches to sit and relax with a sandwich, making this a great spot to avoid the craziness of The City. 

Aldgate Square – Just a few minutes walk from the centre of The City, you’ll find Aldgate square. It’s an escape from the skyscrapers, where you can sit on the grass and enjoy the views of the city surrounding you. It’s a little oasis hidden in this hectic area of London! 

St Paul’s Cathedral – This London icon is surrounded by many open green spaces, areas to sit and relaxing viewpoints. Many people choose to sit on the steps of the cathedral, whilst others prefer the quieter gardens on the other side of the building. Whatever your preference, eating lunch outside St Paul’s is a true London experience. There’s also plenty of shops and cafes here to cater to every taste. 

 

Westminster

Victoria Tower Gardens – Tucked away behind the Houses of Parliament, this beautiful park boasts views of one of the most iconic buildings in Britain, as well as the beautiful river Thames. On a sunny day there are always plenty of benches and grassy areas to sit on and eat your lunch. 

St John’s Gardens – This small park is hidden in the lower part of Westminster, away from the hustle and bustle. It’s always full of flowers, and is set among some lovely streets, with handy supermarkets and cafes nearby to grab some food. 

St James’s Park – This colossal park surrounds half of Westminster, and is very popular with the locals when it comes to finding a spot to relax. The park is so large it’s easy to find a quiet corner to yourself. There are usually deck chairs available for rent for a couple of pounds, and many beautiful gardens, lakes and ponds. 

 

Oxford Circus

Cavendish Square Gardens – In one of the busiest areas of central London it can be hard to find a place to relax and switch off, but Cavendish Square Gardens provides exactly that. A lovely green space filled with huge trees and luscious lawns, you can grab a bite to eat from any of the local shops and sit down to unwind here, away from the hectic main streets. 

Regents Park or Hyde Park – Another way to escape the madness of this area during your lunch hour is to hop on the tube. Oxford Circus is luckily only 1 stop away from Regents Park, and 2 stops away from Hyde Park. Meaning that you will have time to nip down into the underground, arrive at one of the larger parks, enjoy your lunch and a stroll and return to the office in a totally reasonable amount of time. 

 

If you’re planning on working in London, consider our evening English classes, where you can spend your free time after work improving your language skills. We run evening courses on a range of topics, including: IELTS, Cambridge, General English, Grammar and more. Visit the website to learn more. 

 

Glossary:

hustle and bustle –  A large amount of activity and work, usually in a noisy surrounding.

hidden gem – Something with a value or beauty that is not immediately apparent , which therefore has received far less attention than it deserves.

in all its glory – looking very good  or impressive.

marina – an area of water designed for keeping boats and yachts. 

full to the brim – completely full.

tuck in – eat food.

tucked away – to be in a place that is hidden, or in a place that few people go to.

oasis – a calm, pleasant place in the middle of somewhere busy and unpleasant.

cater to – provide people with food and drink.

deck chairs – a style of chair made out of wood and cloth, typically used outdoors.

luscious – highly pleasing to the taste or smell.

hectic – full of incessant or frantic activity.

to nip – to go quickly.

stroll – to walk in a leisurely and relaxed way.