12 Aug Summer In London: Park And Pub Crawl
Of course one can head out on a Park and Pub Crawl in London at any time of year, but when the days are long, and the sun does in fact show itself in this almost-always-cloudy city, it would be hard to beat the experience. Enter our best idea yet (at least we’d like to think so): Park and Pub Crawl of London – the ultimate London experience for those who love nature (and consuming copious amounts of beer)… *ahem* I mean, those who love nature, and submerging themselves in local culture.
Park & Pub Crawl in London
In partnership with Nedbank and SAA Voyager
There are over 3000 parks and green spaces scattered throughout the city. The Royal Parks of London fill up just under 5000 acres of land in Greater London, featuring gorgeous blooms (meticulously arranged to the Queen’s standards, of course) and some are even home to booming bird- and wildlife.
Similar in quantity, there are over 3500 pubs in London (found on most street corners), thriving with locals who consider it to be their home away from home. Most local pubs are at the heart of their communities, and with the decor, comfortable seating, and energetic vibe, there’s really no better place to gather with tourists and locals alike.
Best Parks in London
Five of the capital’s eight Royal Parks are situated in the city centre, namely Regent’s Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, St. James’s Park and Green Park, so they’ll all be easy to access via the London Underground. Since visiting the parks is a free activity, and 47% of London is in fact green space, there’s really no excuse to pass this up.
For deer spotting…head to Richmond Park
Situated around an hour taxi ride away from the centre, this trip will be well worth it, as you escape the bustle and swop it for rolling hills filled with Fallow and Red Deer.
For talking statues and friendly swans…head to Kensington Gardens
If you’ve ever wanted to have a chat over the phone with Peter Pan (hey, who hasn’t?!) and like the idea of classic car ice cream trucks and ponds filled with swans, well then look no more.
To hang with the locals…head to Victoria Park
Rumored to be “the park where the locals go”, there’ll be no better Londoner park experience than this. Enjoy lakes, fountains, and plenty of Victorian greenery.
Best Pubs in London
No matter which public house (a.k.a. pub) you choose, expect plenty of varied brews – ales, lagers, stouts, bitters, and ciders – all served chilled from the taps. Whilst hopping around from pub to pub, make sure to sample some traditional pub grub as well (the obvious favourites being fish and chips, bangers and mash, or shepherd’s pie).
For some of the best traditional food…head to The Lamb and Flag
A slightly more upmarket pub experience (although back in the day it was the place for bare-knuckle fights), The Lamb & Flag offers a fresh yet traditional menu, and since it was Charles Dickens’ favourite watering hole, expect some memorabilia from the Oliver Twist author.
For the best photo opportunities (and Thai cuisine)…head to The Churchill Arms
Possibly London’s most photogenic pub (covered in flowers year-round), The Churchill Arms offers banging Thai cuisine (partnered with delicious ales, of course) in a perfect Winston-Churchill-memorabilia-filled setting.
For cozy vibes (and a chance to spot a ghost)…head to The George Inn
Shakespeare’s favourite pub, and with a reputation for being one of the most haunted pubs in central London, The George Inn should definitely be on your pub crawl list. Whether you sit inside the 17th-century coaching inn, or out in the courtyard, this pub will undoubtedly offer you everything you’d expect from an amazing London pub experience.
We hope we’ve inspired some fun Summer plans in London! If you will be planning your Park & Pub Crawl as part of a longer trip to the British capital, we suggest keeping this day as your last on the itinerary (for obvious reasons). Then to make your trip back home the next day a pleasant one, make sure to join SAA Voyager (with either their new cheque or enhanced credit card) so you can enjoy all the benefits* in your hungover post-Crawl state (and obviously earn miles during all the park and pub crawling).
*Benefits include priority check-in (so you can avoid those long queues), priority boarding (again making the travel-on-a-hangover experience so much quicker), and preferred seating, meaning you can be right in front to get off quick once you land home.
Huge thanks to Nedbank and SAA Voyager for sponsoring this blog post, and allowing us the opportunity to enjoy our first of three #VoyagerJourneys, with all the perks and benefits of our new SAA Voyager cheque and enhanced credit cards. You can read our full Online Privacy Policy here.
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