In my opinion, Springfield Park is one of North London’s best-kept secrets. It’s not as big as nearby Clissold Park, but it’s far more beautiful and isolated, with lovely natural habitats to explore and lots of wild flowers. Situated on a slope, it overlooks a canal with a vibrant barge community, and beyond the bridge is the start of Walthamstow Marshes. To really appreciate the view I recommend one of the benches nestled in the alcoves in the box hedge.

If you’re peckish there are two cafés to choose from depending on your mood; Spark Café housed in the elegant white mansion sitting proudly atop the hill or a greasy spoon which serves the boat community on the riverbank and does a good fry-up. The hot chocolate and brownies also pass muster. That said, the park is perfect for a picnic with lots of open spaces or nooks and crannies in which to set down your blanket.

If you follow the canal from the west corner to the east you pass plenty of canal boats, each with their own personality and style. And on the way out of the park, you pass the community allotment which hosts barbecues and planting days from time to time. A further two minutes walk along the path and you come to the Anchor and Hope – a tiny pub on what looks like the edge of London, where it always seems to be sunny, even on the greyest days. 

Photo of Walthamstow Marshes courtesy of Monkeywing on Flickr