London


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-north-london">NORTH LONDON </h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hampstead-heath-hampstead"><a href="https://www.hampsteadheath.net" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HAMPSTEAD HEATH</a>, Hampstead </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="756" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-18-at-19.39.35-1024x756.png" alt="Hampstead Heath ponds " class="wp-image-7675" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-18-at-19.39.35-1024x756.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-18-at-19.39.35-300x222.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-18-at-19.39.35-768x567.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-18-at-19.39.35.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: Krisztina Anna Berecz</figcaption></figure>



<p>Muddy&#8217;s favourite North London stomping ground is ideal for a Boxing Day stroll. There&#8217;s 790 acres to explore, but keep things simple and follow the six-mile <a href="https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/assets/Green-Spaces/hampstead-heath-trails-map.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hampstead Heath Circular Trail</a>, which starts and finishes at Parliament Hill taking in Kenwood House, the ponds, Lime Avenue and Goodison Fountain. </p>



<p><strong>Pit stop:</strong> <a href="https://watchhouse.com/blogs/locations/hampstead-heath?srsltid=AfmBOooDuhgcHd6CT67KS8Mzv67YqYoJiLT5EIfzy6oEmimai58WQsau" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WatchHouse</a> on South End Road just off the heath near the bathing ponds is a open on Boxing Day (8am to 4pm) and a relaxed spot for brunch, lunch, snacks and a decent cup of coffee. </p>



<p><strong>Tube:</strong> Northern Line to Hampstead. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-central-london">CENTRAL LONDON </h2>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regent-s-park-amp-primrose-hill"><a href="https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/regents-park-primrose-hill" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">REGENT&#8217;S PARK &amp; PRIMROSE HILL</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="661" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-18-at-19.10.56-1024x661.png" alt="Primrose Hill London " class="wp-image-7673" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-18-at-19.10.56-1024x661.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-18-at-19.10.56-300x194.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-18-at-19.10.56-768x496.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-18-at-19.10.56.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Primrose Hill. image credit: Elliot Voilmy</figcaption></figure>



<p>Start at Regent&#8217;s Park, meander past the fountains and zoo, then follow the Regent&#8217;s Canal before entering Primrose Hill Park in the south east corner and climbing to the top and drinking in the amazing city views. It takes about 90 minutes to complete and be sure to walk back through Primrose Hill so you can peek at the pretty pastel-coloured houses of the rich and famous and check out their Xmas decs. </p>



<p><strong>Pit stop:</strong> </p>



<p><strong>Tube:</strong> Bakerloo Line to Regent&#8217;s Park, or the Northern Line to Chalk Farm for Primrose Hill. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-east-london">EAST LONDON </h2>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-victoria-park-tower-hamlets"><a href="https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgnl/leisure_and_culture/parks_and_open_spaces/victoria_park/victoria_park.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VICTORIA PARK</a>, Tower Hamlets </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="650" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-18-at-19.09.19-1024x650.png" alt="Pagoda at Victoria Park " class="wp-image-7672" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-18-at-19.09.19-1024x650.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-18-at-19.09.19-300x190.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-18-at-19.09.19-768x487.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-18-at-19.09.19.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Victoria Park&#8217;s pagoda </figcaption></figure>



<p>Vicky Park&#8217;s been keeping cooped up Londoner&#8217;s sane on Boxing Day for decades. Two hundred and thirteen acres of greenery to escape to and let off steam in is music to the ears of everyone from tired parents (there are two excellent playgrounds) to family-fatigued solos. If you want a focus, download the <a href="https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/Documents/Leisure-and-culture/Parks-and-open-spaces/Victoria-Park-Memoryscape/110330_VP_map_memoryscape%20(3).pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Memoryscape Trail</a>, a 90-minute walk which includes memories from local park users and how it&#8217;s changed over the last 170 years – from the beautiful Burdett-Coutts drinking fountain donated by one of the richest women in the country, to the ever watchful Dogs of Alcibiades statues, mysteriously said to rescue canal users in trouble.</p>



<p><strong>Pit stop:</strong> Pavilion Bakery in Vicky Park is open Boxing Day (it&#8217;s even open Xmas Day if you get the urge to escape from playing Monopoly and watching the King&#8217;s Speech) and a great spot for a warming cup of chai, hot choc or coffee. </p>



<p><strong>Tube:</strong> Central Line to Mile End. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-south-london">SOUTH LONDON </h2>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greenwich-park-greenwich"><a href="https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/greenwich-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GREENWICH PARK</a>, Greenwich </h2>



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<p>If you&#8217;re feeling lethargic on Boxing Day but still want a fresh air boost, a short circular walk in Greenwich Park is perfect. Enter at St Mary&#8217;s Gate, head up the hill to the Royal Observatory, cut along Blackheath Avenue, cross diagonally to Maize Hill Gate and then circle back round towards St Mary&#8217;s Gate, via a children&#8217;s playground (ideal if you&#8217;ve got youngsters in tow). Walk back through town to see the Cutty Sark, which has Christmas tree-shaped lights on its masts this year. </p>



<p><strong>Pit stop:</strong> <a href="https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/greenwich-park/pavilion-cafe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Pavilion Café</a> at the top of the hill by the Observatory is open 8am-4pm on Boxing Day and sells fresh salads and juices if you can&#8217;t face any more carbs (though the chips are delicious). </p>



<p><strong>Overland train:</strong> Greenwich Station is 10 minutes on Thameslink from London Bridge Station. <strong>Tube:</strong> Jubilee Line to North Greenwich. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-west-london">WEST LONDON</h2>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-richmond-park-richmond"><a href="https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/richmond-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHMOND PARK</a>, Richmond </h2>



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="Welcome to Richmond Park" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/876411648?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write"></iframe>
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<p>This one&#8217;s epic. Ancient woods, huge expanses of grasslands, historic herds of deer and London&#8217;s largest area of Special Scientific Interest AND a National Nature Reserve &#8211; yet it&#8217;s a quick journey from Central London. If you want to really blow away the cobwebs on Boxing Day, tackle the scenic seven-mile <a href="https://www.richmondparklondon.co.uk/walks/tamsintrail.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tamsin Trail</a>, or for a more leisurely visit, head to pretty Pembroke Lodge, a Georgian mansion with picturesque gardens with sweeping views over the Thames Valley. </p>



<p><strong>Pit stop: </strong>Pembroke Lodge has a Georgian tea room where you can get a cuppa. </p>



<p><strong>Tube:</strong> District Line to Richmond. </p>


Boxing Day walks in London for fresh air and festive vibes

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