London may have a reputation for being a sea of grey and concrete, but the capital isn’t certainly short on green spaces. Take a walk around the city in summertime and you’ll see hoards of Londoners packed into the pockets of green that are dotted around the capital. In fact, London is one of Europe’s greenest cities.
But as we know, some parks are just better than others. And, according to the folk at the charity Keep Britain Tidy, you’ll find the best green spaces in the Big Smoke in Hackney. The borough has topped the Green Flag Awards in 2026, retaining its 2025 title. The awards recognise the UK’s best parks and green spaces, with independent judges assessing everything from litter management and safety to footpaths, facilities and signage.
For 2026, Hackney has been awarded a record-breaking 34 Green Flags. Last year, the borough also came out number one with 33 Green Flags. The additional boost came when Clapton Common received accreditation and was granted Green Flag status this year.
Hackney’s most popular parks all received the well-deserved accolade. These include London Fields – the go-to spot for the borough’s trendy lot – Clissold Park (Stoke Newington’s largest green space), Daubney Fields and Well Street Common.
Councillor Jacob Cable, Cabinet Member for Climate, Clean Air, Energy and Transport, called the achievement ‘a credit to the hard work of Hackney’s parks team’ alongside ‘the many parks user groups, volunteers and partners whose care and dedication make our parks a haven for nature and residents alike’.
With the likes of Hyde Park and Regent’s Park in its vicinity, it’s no surprise that Westminster was the second greenest borough, with 33 Green Flags. In third place was Southwark, which was awarded 30. It was less positive news for Enfield residents, as the borough only had one Green Flag park. The same went for Bexley.
The best London boroughs for parks in 2026
Here’s which boroughs have the most Green Flag spaces right now.
1. Hackney (34 Green Flag parks)
Hackney’s eclectic offering of green spaces are the best in the capital. Mentioned on the Green Flag list are Stokey’s Abney Park (one London's ‘magnificent seven’ garden cemeteries), Hackney Downs, De Beauvoir Square and Hackney Marshes. Thanks to a swanky new play area and nature recovery work, Clapton Common was awarded Green Flag status for the first time in 2026.
2. Westminster (33)
Westminster features some of the most famous parks in the capital, including the royal trio Hyde Park, St. James’s Park and Green Park. However, Westminster also contains heaps of gardens and churchyards, such as Hanover Square just off Oxford Street and St Anne’s Churchyard in Soho. Newly awarded Green Flag status in 2026 was Paddington Street Gardens, a tranquil, flower-filled oasis in Marylebone.
3. Southwark (30)
The southeastern borough has impressive parks which include West Dulwich’s Belair Park, which lies in the grounds of the impressive 18th century mansion, Bermondsey Square Gardens and Nunhead Cemetery.
London’s Green Flag Awards in 2026: Full Ranking
- Hackney (34)
- Westminster (33)
- Southwark (30)
- Lambeth (29)
- Hammersmith & Fulham (26)
- Richmond upon Thames (25)
- Ealing (23)
- Hounslow (20)
- Lewisham (18)
- Havering (16)
- Islington (15)
- Wandsworth (15)
- Tower Hamlets (14)
- Greenwich (13)
- Sutton (13)
- Kensington & Chelsea (13)
- Merton (11)
- Haringey (10)
- Harrow (10)
- Bromley (9)
- Redbridge (9)
- Barking & Dagenham (7)
- Croydon (6)
- Brent (4)
- Barnet (3)
- Waltham Forest (3)
- Kingston upon Thames (3)
- Bexley (1)
- Enfield (1)
🌳 Major parks in London.
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