London may be a modern metropolis with busy city streets and masses of buildings, but amidst this urban jungle there are several scenic parks which can be enjoyed by all. If you love the great outdoors and want to spend some quality time with the family, then here are a few parks in London worth visiting.

Hyde Park is probably the most well known of Royal Parks (there are 8 in all) and is right in the heart of Central London. Home to the Serpentine Lake and the Diana Memorial Fountain, the park is an ideal spot for boating, rollerblading, horse riding or just taking a quiet afternoon stroll. Hyde Park is also a popular venue for outdoor events and if you visit on Sundays, remember to head to Speaker's Corner where people stand on boxes and hold forth on any topic of their choice!

Another great London park to visit is Regent's Park where you can find a quiet lake area, a lovely rose garden, children's playgrounds and even an open air theatre. An additional plus point is the fact that the London Zoo is within the park premises as well.

Kids will also love exploring Kensington Gardens with its famous Peter Pan statue and wonderful wooden pirate ship (at the Princess of Wales' Memorial Playground section). Adults can enjoy the park's Diana Memorial Walk, the Italian Fountain Gardens and the near by Kensington Palace.

Located a little outside Central London, the gardens at Hampton Court Palace with its unique outdoor maze is definitely worth a visit as well.

Needless to say, there are several other parks both big and small spread out across London and the best way to discover these tucked away "green sanctuaries" is by exploring the capital for yourself. Happy adventures!