Happy places: where FT readers go in London to find joy

My happy place is Wimbledon Common, where I go for walks with my dog. In September I did the British Red Cross’s Miles for Refugees challenge, where every day we walked about 10k to and around the common. Watching my dog run through mud and play with other doggies and generally being outside in such a vast open space while still being in London is 100 per cent my happy place. (Website; Directions)

— Louise Brizzi, analyst, London

Campden Hill has the best short walk in London. From High Street Kensington over the top to Holland Park and back gets the heart pumping. And there is history everywhere. The water in the 19th-century reservoir that was perched at the top trickled down to half of London; there are tennis courts there today. The summit was also the headquarters of William the Conqueror’s chief general. Joseph Addison (whose play Cato George Washington knew by heart) died in Holland House — nearby Addison Avenue and Place are named after him. John Galsworthy lived on Aubrey Walk.

There is always a light breeze, even on the hottest days. The church is a sanctuary, with a carefully tended garden looked after by a friendly gardener who will share his secrets. You can sit on the bench at the back all day and, in spring, watch the blackbirds nesting — no one will disturb you. (Directions)

— Mark Whitfield, retired, London

From the start of the lockdowns, walks to Battersea Park became a daily ritual for me. As time went on, I started to realise their importance to my level of fitness and sense of happiness. Over the past two years, I’ve been able to explore and get to know the park very well and notice things I never have before.

On Christmas Day, I turned into a winding path that led me to a gate. The gate opened up into the Old English Garden: a beautiful space centred around a fountain, with benches where one can sit and admire nature. Since then, I have made the Old English Garden a part of my day. I noticed that it is looked after by Thrive, a mental health charity that applies an approach called social and therapeutic horticulture (STH). I definitely can relate to the benefits of being surrounded by nature and decided to look into the charity more closely.

I was drawn to it and wanted to get involved. On the first day of the new year, I contacted them. On hearing that they run a volunteer Sunday once a month, I immediately registered. It happened on a recent Sunday and I was delighted to be able to contribute in my own small way. I am looking forward to continuing this monthly volunteering engagement, as well as my daily walks to Battersea Park. (Website; Directions)

— Paul Moreno, banking, London

The Science Museum, ground-floor galleries. An amazing place filled with the machines that made both Britain and the modern world. I have never ceased to be excited when I walk in, and now I take my children and share that feeling with them. (Website; Directions)

— Andrew Mulliner, fund manager, London

Throughout the pandemic, my husband and I started our day with a five-mile walk from our home in Clapham to and around Battersea Park. I moved to London in February 2020, so all of the sights were relatively new to me, but nothing brought me greater joy than the evolution of the cherry blossom. Due to our early start, we were often the only people there. There was one consistent exception: a gruff man making his way to work for the park department. He passed us with a nod as he puffed away on his cigarette. One day we were met with a hello, and the surprise greeting brought a new bounce in our steps. (Directions)

— Allison Birdsong, educator, London

I first came here in the early 1960s with my grandmother. She pointed out courting couples and told me to hold hands with girls rather than slouching with an arm over their shoulder. In the mid 1970s I spent three happy years at Bedford College near the gardens and followed her advice with varying degrees of success. I visit the gardens in every season and love reading the strange names of the roses. Now I’m retired and hoping one day for a grandchild to bring to Regent’s Park and show off the most beautiful part of central London. (Website; Directions)

— Tim Greig, project manager, Weybridge

This south London park sits nestled among main roads and suburban housing, a refuge from the busyness of the city yet not too far removed from the action — bordering on Herne Hill, it offers effortless access to coffee and craft beer. Its wrought-iron gates define the boundary of my favourite oasis.

Brockwell has sports fields, open greenery and playgrounds for children — as well as wooded areas that are home to local wildlife, including many members of London’s parakeet population. A light morning amble among the park’s twisting pathways gives you a taste of all these elements. (Website; Directions)

— Simon Jarvis, data engineer, London

The serenity of the back tracks and main paths (lit and open through the night) of Primrose Hill. In spring it is calm; in summer it’s the city’s back garden. Autumn is beautifully orange and red, and winter often sees blue skies. I close deals and do meetings, walk ’n’ talks, interviews, probationary reviews and Zoom calls here. Above all, it reminds me of the classic case of Frederick Law Olmsted and the reason he created New York’s Central Park: to relieve Manhattan of its ills. Primrose Hill is the best place in the world — my happy place. (Website; Directions)

— Ricky, entrepreneur, London

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