The City of London owns and manages over 10,000 acres of open
spaces in and around London for the recreation and enjoyment of the
public and as breathing spaces from built-up developments.
Find out more about your nearest open
space (84kb)
Most of these Open Spaces are maintained from private funds at
no cost to the community. Read more about
how some of London's favourite leisure spots came to be under the
City of London's care.
If you notice any faults or problems - such as damaged signs,
fences or stiles, fly-tipping, excessive litter or obstructions on
footpaths - in our open spaces you can now
report them online.
For general open space enquiries please call 020 7332
3505
Sports activities in our open spaces
You can play a number of different sports in our open spaces,
from the ever popular summer bowling games at Finsbury Circus, to
swimming in the lido at Hampstead Heath.
Download a full list of our sporting
facilities (95kb)
Publications
Open Spaces annual report (3.3mb)
Open Spaces WMV movie (14mb)
Nature of the City (4.7mb)
Epping Forest to receive £4.76m improvements grant from
Heritage Lottery Fund
The HLF has contributed £4.76m towards the
implementation of the £6.8m Branching Out Project. The project
covers long-lasting improvements to Epping Forest's visitor
facilities, education projects and conservation work.
Further information about the Epping Forest Branching Out
Project
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Grazing land
- Open land owned by the local authority which may be used by the
public for grazing animals. The precise use of the land (e.g. for
horses, cattle etc.) may differ according to location and the local
authority may issue grazing permits to limit the number of animals
on the land.
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Parks and
open spaces - information and advice
- Information about parks in the local area including location,
facilities, opening times, events etc.
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Parks
and open spaces - landscaping
- Design and maintenance of cultivated areas, open areas and
woodland in public parks and open spaces
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Tree management
- The local authority is responsible for the efficient management
of trees in their ownership within urban and rural environments.
This includes the application of tree preservation orders and the
protection of other trees on council owned land.
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Tree
preservation orders
- Tree Preservation Orders are made by a Planning Authority under
Part V111 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 in England and
Wales or Section 160 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland)
Act 1997 in Scotland and within the procedures set out in the Town
and Country Planning (Trees) Regulations 1999 (England and Wales)
or the Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation Order and Trees
in Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Regulations 1975-84. They are an
effective means of protecting individual trees, groups of trees or
woodlands whose removal would have significant impact on the public
amenity of an area. They form a legal constraint permanently
attached to the title of the land where the trees are
located.