London - Summer in the city Part 1 : Parks

Ne’er cast a clout ‘til May is out, warned those old wives. Well, May is nearly out and London is itching to cast her clouts soonest. A couple of warm dry days in a row, continued sunny spells and she’s sloughing off her gloomy winter thermals, shaking out her prettiest frock and heading for the great outdoors. London does summer really well, especially when she does it in the park.

When I moved here twenty years ago it was autumn and I was so busy fixing shelves and winter-proofing rackety sash windows in my weeny flat that I gave little thought to its lack of outside space. The mortgage was killing me. No way could I afford a whopping premium for even a handkerchief of extra soil, and anyway I was phobic about slugs. Who needed a garden? But as spring sprang my small-town soul yearned for a back garden, a barbecue, a moonlit glass of wine among the night-scented stock; a place to stretch out and enjoy the sunshine now taunting my lack of foresight – and funds- from outside those dusty windows.

Eventually it clicked. I didn’t have a garden, but I had Hampstead Heath, I had Waterlow Park, Finsbury Park, Alexandra Palace and Highgate Woods all within a bus ride. Thus my parklife habit was formed. And it persists even now I’m proud possessor of a spanking roof terrace. When summer arrives the park is the place and London has loads; Royal or common, floral or wilderness, poky corners or wide horizons. Take your pick. Take a picnic.

On any given sunny day every patch of green is thronged with London’s flat and terrace dwellers, squeezing the max from these precious outdoor spaces to hang with their homies, cavort with their kids or smooch with their sweethearts. Whether it’s frolicking with a Frisbee, prone with a paperback, or breaking bye-laws with a Baco-foil barbie, whatever suburbia gets up to in its gardens London perform in her parks.

Literally performs, given the many festivals, concerts and stage shows crammed into the short unpredictable summer season. And if you head for Regent’s Park, my personal favourite, there’s the Open Air Theatre- Britain’s oldest permanent professional outdoor theatre, dating back to the 1930’s. Strolling from the tube through the rose-scented gardens to meet friends; Marks & Spencer picnic food and a glass or three of fizz; filing, slightly merry, to our seats in the grass-banked amphitheatre: this must be the loveliest way to see a play and, for me, defines summer in London. When swallows flit overhead, trees flutter in the breeze and the fairy lights flicker it’s so thoroughly magical that even A Midsummer Night’s Dream seems totally believable.

When tickets go on sale early each year there’s a dilemma – book now and pray the weather’s alright on the night? Or wait for the warm days and risk missing the fun? No contest. I’ve only known it rained off once and it was a hoot to hole up in the (covered) bar and wait out the storm. So my advice is always: book early, dress warm, be ready with the brollies and ignore tutting tourists from warmer climes. If the cast of ‘The Boyfriend’ can still dance in a downpour then the least we can do is stay to watch.

Just do up your coat and… what do you mean, you didn’t bring a raincoat? Yes, I know it’s midsummer. But this is Britain and we’re sitting out in the park for Pete’s sake. What on earth did you expect….

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