Camley Street Natural Park

This was a pleasant little find whilst in search of a place for brunch in nearby Granary Square at the weekend. We were lured in with the promise of a free composting demonstration (handy skill to have!) and were taken instantly with the peaceful tranquility on the place considering it's so close to some very busy roads and the station. Though you can still hear the sounds of London muffled through the trees, it is still like a small snippet of being back in the countryside. You're surrounded by trees and green and little ponds jam packed with wildlife! You could spend hours here just enjoying the nature, and even walk down to the canal side and sit beside the water for a while. I would have never known this was here had it not been for this random encounter. Isn't it just wonderful the way London can surprise you with wonderful things like that!

Our adventure here seemed more of a destination you'd discover on the end of your journey from King's Cross than at the start.

We took a Sunday stroll around Camley Street Natural Park and were amazed that such a cool area of wildlife existed in a part of London that's usually a mix of commuters on a mission or die-hard Harry Potter fans. The autumnal leaf carpet made it look very enchanting, but I can imagine it's just as pretty in the summer. 

We started by paying a visit to the information centre, where there's lots of information on things to look out for outside. We channeled our inner Attenborough and took to the outdoors to discover all that nature has to offer. There are a few trails to follow, with sign posts and information points dotted around. There are lots of benches so it's a great place to come for a surprisingly peaceful afternoon.

Make sure you find the look-out point, where you get great views of the canal. There's also beehives, large ponds and lot of birds to keep you busy. 

We were so impressed that we ended up writing down our names to get information on how to volunteer there – a London wonder that's far too cool to leave undiscovered. 

Camley Street Natural Park is a hidden little nature reserve in urban London. A great place for anyone to escape the hustle and bustle of nearby kings cross area. There are plenty of activities for kids to do and this is an ideal place to spot lots of wildlife in the heart of the city.