London is a great city to visit with kids. There are lots of places where you can go to feed the ducks and get closer to the local wildlife. Here’s our round-up of some of the very best spaces…
Regent’s Park
This wonderful Royal Park is packed full of things sure to keep the kids entertained, including formal gardens, pavilions for grabbing a quick refreshment, extended tennis courts, parkland and of course, a flourishing lake ideal for feeding the ducks alongside little ones. Regent’s Park also hosts London Zoo, and there’s wonderful views from Primrose Hill in this most classically British of park destinations.
St James’s Park
The lake at St James’s Park is just one of the elements which draw in visitors; it’s familiar to many as the backdrop of Trooping the Colour – and has hosted numerous state visits and pageants over the years. Kids will love meeting the local wildlife, including the park’s own pelicans who can be seen at feeding time, best watched from a bench or strolling alongside the park’s fountain. The pelicans have lived at St James’s Park for 400 years, but they’re joined by plenty of ducks, too. There’s also some lovely flower beds which line Buckingham Palace and provide added pops of colour which will impress younger visitors to the Montcalm Hotel.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is home to wildly diverse species in both plantlife and wildlife, with wildfowl regularly attracted to Hyde Park’s large Serpentine Lake, particularly during the colder months. Pigeons and squirrels are also plentiful, as well as ducks – though much of the local wildlife (including bees and butterflies) goes unnoticed by local residents. Park visitors often report spotting unusual animal visitors during their trip, including black swans, buzzards and Egyptian geese. While staying at our luxury hotels in London and visiting the park, be sure to report any unexpected sightings to staff as they’re always keen to find out how efforts to cultivate a hospitable location for animal life are progressing.
Battersea Park Children’s Zoo
Battersea Park Children’s Zoo is one of the best places for mini animal lovers to get up close and personal with a wide variety of wildlife, including feeding the ducks. This zoo is specially designed with children in mind, and there’s everything from mammals to reptiles and birds resident here and ready to meet the public! The zoo offers special feeding times, and there’s also a wonderful adventure playground and café for unwinding in after a day of exploration to spark young imaginations while staying at the Montcalm Hotel.
Hampstead Heath
This large park is one of the oldest in London, complete with a lake and swimming ponds. As an ancient parkland, the heath is popular with locals and visitors alike of all ages – and attracts plenty of people hoping to catch a glimpse of the plentiful local wildlife, which are clearly visible all year round.
