The best parks in London

Compared with the well-tended lawns and flowerbeds of some other parks, Hampstead Heath is a wild and sprawling stretch of grass and woodland in which you can sometimes forget you’re in the city at all — although Parliament Hill is the perfect spot to watch the sun set over the London skyline (and with its great abilities in low light, the Sony Xperia X will allow you to capture the moment perfectly). The Heath is also home to Hampstead Ponds — a group of three freshwater swimming spots (female, male and mixed). An early-morning swim here is one of the loveliest ways you can start a day in the city.

Postman’s Park

Best for: Peace and Quiet

Situated right in the middle of one of the busiest parts of the City, just a stone’s throw from St Paul’s Cathedral, this small park is easily overlooked — and by most people, it is. It’s home to the poignant Watts Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice, built in 1900 – which commemorates those who gave their lives to help others – and the scenic and shady gardens provide a sanctuary of peace and quiet from the noise and stress of the city.

St James’s Park

Best for: A scenic jogIt’s often overshadowed by its larger counterparts such as Regent’s Park and Hyde Park, but St James’s Park is one of the loveliest green spaces in central London, and the perfect setting for a gentle jog. There are lakes, fountains and beautifully tended gardens, and The Blue Bridge offers magnificent views of Buckingham Palace in one direction and Big Ben and the London Eye to the other. If you’d rather relax than run, there are plenty of deck chairs dotted around (from March to October) to spend a lazy afternoon reading under a tree. You’ll have some good company, too – Pelicans have lived in the park since they were donated to King Charles II by a Russian ambassador during a visit in 1664. The the Sony Xperia X’s Predictive Hybrid Autofocus, which tracks movement and keeps your shot in focus, will help when photgraphing wildlife.

Springfield Park

Best for: A long weekend walk

Situated in Clapton by to the River Lea, Springfield Park isn’t as well known as other East London spaces such as Victoria Park and London Fields, which means it rarely gets as crowded. But the location is ideal – once you’ve explored the park (kids will love rolling down its steep hills) and had a bite in the cafe, you can walk along the river to Hackney Marshes and beyond – all the way to Limehouse Basin if you’ve got the stamina. And no matter how long you’re out for, you’ll be able to capture your walk on the Sony Xperia X, which has up to two days’ battery life.