Victoria Park
Victoria Park, Hackney, London E9 7BT
In a borough that’s not known for its parks and gardens, Victoria Park might just be London’s most appreciated park, a lifeline for Hackney residents, who make the most of its leafy expanses to cycle, play cricket, go boating or simply lounge on its lawns. Laid out in the mid 19th century, it was an even rarer green space for East-End families and it became a focus for political debate and protest, a sort of Hyde Park for disgruntled East Enders – William Morris was just one of the park’s illustrious soapbox speakers. Today it’s better known for hosting massive outdoor music festivals in summer, but at any time of year its canal-fringed borders are hugely popular.