It goes without saying that barbeques and parks go hand in hand, creating the perfect fusion for fanning the flame of summer. Whilst we’re a little way away yet from summer, spring is just around the corner and it might be time to start dusting off our barbeque sets from the shed. With many gardens in London being rather too small to barbeque in, we look to our parks for a sizzling sausage and roasted peppers. There are plenty to choose from in London, the city playing host to a surprising range of green spaces, but not all allow for barbeques to be had. In part this is because of many sites being Grade I listed historical sites, or nature reserves that push back against the potential of human waste and damaging of the areas. If you’re visiting the Park grand Paddington Court Hotel and are alien to the parkland etiquette of London, then this guide to the best parks for barbequing will no doubt give you a clearer picture and stop you getting slapped with a hefty fine from the council.
Gillespie Park
This 2.8-hectare nature reserve is in Finsbury, and very close to the Arsenal Football Stadium. However urban the location, Gillespie Park is a rural nature reserve with plush growing grass and refreshing trails, making for the perfect retreat for a barbeque for you and your friends.
Highbury Fields
Highbury Fields is located just around the corner from Holloway Road tube and is one of the most popular barbeque spots in North London, in part because of its proximity to the city centre and its children’s play and gym facilities. The fact that this park is open 24 hours also makes it a great place for late summer barbeque evenings.
Caledonian Park
Made of pristine green fields, Caledonian Park is located near Caledonian Road tube station, and is home to a Grade II listed clocktower. The scenic setting makes it the perfect barbeque site, whilst its being open from 8 am till dusk ensures that there is plenty of time for barbequing fun.
Lincoln’s Inn Fields
This beautiful park is one of the most centrally located parks for barbequing, being a short walk from Holborn Station. It’s surprising that there is such a large space in central London dedicated to barbequing, and Lincoln’s Inn Fields also offers children’s play areas and tennis courts. For those staying at hotels in the centre of the city who are looking for new green spaces to explore this spring and summer, Lincoln’s Inn Fields is the most central park for Barbequing, and is close to areas such as Covent Garden and the West End.
London Fields
This beautiful stretch of parkland in Hackney is located next to Broadway Market, where on the weekend you can find a magnificent food market and plenty of pubs and cafes. This makes it perfect for those who might be feeling too lazy on a Sunday afternoon to cook their own barbeque, but nevertheless, there is a designated barbeque area located in the park for those who do want to try their hand.
Burgess Park Southwark
This southern based park is great for those who forgot their disposable sizzlers. Here you can find eight purpose-built barbeques which allow for afternoons-worth of fun, whilst there are also designated areas for disposables.
