Study reveals London parks rank third best in the world

They were the saving grace of global lockdowns, a place of respite where we could walk, run and cycle to get out of the house, if even for an hour.

Parks bring joy to so many. Not only do they serve as green spaces and hosts to wildlife amongst the hustle and bustle of big cities, but they’re a saving grace for those living in high rise flats or small, confined spaces without a garden.

But if you value your outdoorsy time, where is the best place to live for parks?

Data analysts at abcFlora gathered data relating to the parks in 60 of the world’s best-known cities and reveal how busy each city’s parks are, and how highly rated they are on Google. With this information, they generated a comprehensive ranking based on general park quality.

Taking the top spot with a perfect score is the beautiful metropolis, Prague. Earning itself the full 10.00, this stunning city is home to beautiful green spaces, like Stromovka, Havlíčkovy Sady and Letná park.

Despite its reputation for stunning classical architecture, it seems that the city’s rustic side shouldn’t be underestimated either, so it’s 1.3 million lucky residents are spoilt for choice.

Its relatively low population and high scoring parks (4.59) are what have earned the city the top spot – beautiful scenery and a calm, tranquil space for everyone.

Following on in second place is Moscow, the Russian capital. With an impressive score of 9.95, this vast city is just shy of park perfection.

There is something for everyone in Moscow’s green scene, from the abstract features of Sokolniki, to the grand architecture and seasonal tulips that can be found in Gorky Park. The cities high population of 12.5 million residents may have been what knocked it into a respectable silver position.

Rounding off the podium is the UK’s most famous city, London, with a high score of 9.26. With only 56,781 people per park, you can bet there will be space for you.

Whether you’re seeing your favourite band in Central’s Hyde Park or cycling leisurely on your Boris Bike through Regent’s Park in North-West, there’s always something to do on London’s communal lawns.

Completing the top five were New Zealand’s Auckland and Vienna, Austria, with a score of 8.70 and 8.57, respectively.

On the other end of the spectrum, some cities failed to score for their park quality.