Another Emma and Liz Reads book finished (if you want to find them all, click here) I bought this one in January when we decided that, because of various life stresses, we wanted a nice easy book rather than the slightly more challenging ones we had in the pile and I’ve now read two of the books I bought that month. We’d prevoiusly read Davies book on Hampstead Heath and I’d spotted he had one about parks in the capital more generally so it seemed like a good option. Of course I ordered it from The Heath Bookshop, having bought a copy for Emma via their Bookshop.org page.
Hunter Davies – “London Parks: A Stroll Around the Capital’s Greatest Glories”
(28 January 2024, The Heath Bookshop)
And the good news is that London parks are still growing, despite the temptation to build offices and homes for mighty profit in any spare square yard. Yet I can think of five major parks that were not here before the war, which together have added over 1,000 acres to London park life. Three I have included in this book – Burgess Park, Olymipic Park and the Wetland Centre. Add to those Northala Fields and Beckenham Place Park. Amazing. Five new London parks … (p. 3)
In this likeable book, the somewhat elderly Davies chooses a number of parks to visit: he goes around himself but also chats to whoever manages the park. He divides himself between North and South London, often making a bit of a fuss about going South of the river, and covers ten main parks plus a piece about the royal parks and their chief executive. He explains that he had to choose from the parks over 20 acres (and lists all of them in the back) and there are a lot so many of them don’t make the cut (Peckham Rye, for example).
Some of the parks we know well between us, others were a mystery, and we’d certainly like to visit or revisit many of them so the book has done its job! It was nice to be reminded of St James’ Park, where we used to go when Matthew and I lived in London, and lovely to read about details like the monk who lives in Battersea Park and keeps the Peace Pagoda clean and tidy. Each chapter has a nice list of the best things about the park at the back which is a handy reminder.
Emma’s favourite chapters were the ones on Burgess and Victoria Parks, whereas I chose Burgess and The London Wetland Centre. Our favourite actual parks in London are Highgate Wood and Hampstead Heath for Emma and Highgate Wood and Telegraph Hill Park for me (that’s the nearest park to where I lived in my flat in London).
Our next book is Raynor Wynn’s third book, “Landlines” – we’ve read the first two together. We’ll start that the week after next …
Staircase Wit
Apr 21, 2024 @ 00:53:00
I wish I had thought of specifically exploring some of London’s parks during my month studying there. Of course, I made a point of visiting some of the more famous ones but I suppose this can be a goal for future visits.
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Liz Dexter
Apr 22, 2024 @ 08:52:25
There are lots and lots and some of the smaller ones are also delightful!
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Laura
Apr 21, 2024 @ 08:17:10
Struggling to think of a London park I really love…. I do love the Hampstead Heath swimming ponds!
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Liz Dexter
Apr 22, 2024 @ 08:53:21
Highgate Woods is a favourite because I’ve gone there with my best friend and her kids a lot. I haven’t explored much of Hampstead Heath but want to return there and see some of the others.
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A Life in Books
Apr 21, 2024 @ 09:24:32
I’d not heard of the Battersea Park monk! St James’s is my favourite of a fairly limited list of London parks I know, and I always look out for Postman’s Park when I’m near St Paul’s.
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Liz Dexter
Apr 22, 2024 @ 08:54:03
I like St James’ because we used to go there and Victoria Embankment Gardens when we lived in central London.
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madamebibilophile
Apr 21, 2024 @ 10:05:00
This sounds lovely! I’m a lifelong Londoner but there are loads of parks I’ve not explored. I’m very tempted to buy this and go wandering 🙂
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Liz Dexter
Apr 22, 2024 @ 08:54:38
It would be a good guide for a wander, there’s also a list in the back of all the parks over 20 acres!
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kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 21, 2024 @ 13:06:47
Sounds lovely, Liz. I really don’t know the parks of London that well, though I had occasion to wander through St. James’s Park in March and it was lovely!
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Liz Dexter
Apr 22, 2024 @ 08:55:24
It was one I went to quite often when we lived in central London. I visited the toilets in Hyde Park yesterday!
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Calmgrove
Apr 21, 2024 @ 18:38:51
They say parks are like green lungs, and while I get the nature of the metaphor I struggle with the strict logic of the simile! Still, we all know the value of these truly green spaces and when we ever visit the capital we always include walks that take in one or other of the parks in central London (though we’re not familiar with any of the newer ones further out).
Mind you we’re spoilt having spent the last twenty years living on the border of one national park (Pembrokeshire Coast) and then inside another (Brecon Beacons / Bannau Brycheiniog).
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Liz Dexter
Apr 22, 2024 @ 08:56:13
I’m spoilt for parks in Birmingham, too – four good ones within two miles! It’s always good to pop into one for some fresher air when in London, isn’t it.
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imogenglad
Apr 21, 2024 @ 21:21:49
Did he do Dulwich Park? It’s my haven
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Liz Dexter
Apr 22, 2024 @ 08:56:56
No, nor Peckham Rye! But he only did ten out of loads and loads over 20 acres (listed at the back) and all the smaller ones.
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heavenali
Apr 23, 2024 @ 16:37:56
A lovely sounding book, I can see why you and Emma enjoyed it. A book probably more suited to those who know those parks as it’s always nice to read about familiar places.
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Liz Dexter
Apr 23, 2024 @ 19:40:19
It’s inspired us to visit the ones we haven’t been to – Em’s been to more than me of course but I’ve been to one she hadn’t! It was nice reading about the ones we knew and reminded me I must go to the Olympic Park.
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Paul at Halfman, Halfbook
May 13, 2024 @ 17:28:38
Not really visited the parks in London (Unless you count Bushy park), but I do like the small patches of green that are scattered through the city
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Liz Dexter
May 13, 2024 @ 20:38:25
I don’t think I’ve been to Bushy though I need to make the pilgrimage at some ponit because it’s where parkrun started!
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Paul at Halfman, Halfbook
May 13, 2024 @ 21:01:06
My daughter ran it a few weeks ago (we have friends who live in Weybridge and they were staying there)
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