Five calm places to escape London’s crowds are St Christopher’s Place, Richmond Park, St Ethelburga’s Peace Garden, Morden Hall Park and St James’s Park. They suit a slow half-day walk, and each is checked below against current records as of October 2026.
| Place | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| St Christopher’s Place | Marylebone | Shopping and cafes on a pedestrian street |
| Richmond Park | Richmond | Wildlife and long walks |
| St Ethelburga’s Peace Garden | Bishopsgate | A small, quiet city garden |
| Morden Hall Park | Morden | River walks and old mills |
| St James’s Park | Westminster | Central park views |
London is a beautiful city, and sometimes you want to hide for a few hours from the hustle of it. These five places are good for a calm and serene walk.
1. St Christopher’s Place
St Christopher’s Place is a short pedestrianised shopping street in Marylebone, between Oxford Street and Wigmore Street. Its shops are smaller and more upscale than the big chains on Oxford Street. Expect a mix of restaurants, bars, coffee shops and boutiques, and small streets to wander through.
2. Richmond Park
Richmond Park is the largest of London’s Royal Parks. Charles I created it in the 17th century as a deer park, and today it is a national nature reserve, with wildlife and, in the right season, plenty of flowers. It also holds White Lodge, a former royal residence that is now home to the Royal Ballet School.
3. St Ethelburga’s Peace Garden
This small garden sits behind St Ethelburga’s, one of the few medieval City churches to survive, first recorded in 1250. The church was half destroyed by a bomb in 1993 and rebuilt as a Centre for Reconciliation and Peace. Public access is not guaranteed, so check the centre’s website or contact them before going.
4. Morden Hall Park
Morden Hall Park is a National Trust park of about 125 acres on the banks of the Wandle in south London. The river splits into channels crossed by footbridges, and the estate has two preserved snuff watermills, a stable yard and a cafe. Part of it is known as the Deer Park, and you can enjoy meadow, wetland and wildlife.
5. St James’s Park
St James’s Park is a 57-acre Royal Park in Westminster, bounded by Buckingham Palace, The Mall, Horse Guards and Birdcage Walk. It began as a deer park for Henry VIII in the 1530s. It is the busiest of the five, but you may still find a quiet bench.
Would you visit any of these places? Let us know in the comments below and share it further.
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FAQ
What are the best quiet places in London?
Five good choices are St Christopher’s Place, Richmond Park, St Ethelburga’s Peace Garden, Morden Hall Park and St James’s Park.
What is the largest Royal Park in London?
Richmond Park, created by Charles I in the 17th century as a deer park. It is now a national nature reserve.
Is St Ethelburga’s Peace Garden open to the public?
Listings say yes, but another source says the centre is not routinely open, so check its website before you visit.
What is Morden Hall Park?
A National Trust park of about 125 acres on the River Wandle in Morden, south London, with two preserved snuff mills.
How big is St James’s Park?
About 57 acres (23 hectares), in Westminster beside Buckingham Palace.
Which is the quietest of the five?
In our view Morden Hall Park or the Peace Garden, because they sit away from the main tourist routes. St James’s Park is the busiest.
How we put this list together
We kept the original five places, checked each one’s history, size and status against current records, and removed claims we could not confirm. Opening details change, so confirm them before you go.
Last updated: October 2026.
