Go boating in the Park

There are many places to hire a rowing boat in London, and enjoy the simple pleasures of messing around in boats. Here are just a few of them:

Battersea Park Boating Lake. Around £3.50 for half an hour or £4.50 for an hour, according to Time Out in 2007.

Serpentine Boats, Hyde Park. Boat Hire in London's most famous Park for less than £10.

Regents Park Boating Lake. Similar to Hyde Park, and just like in the end bit of that Happy Go Lucky Film.

Alexandra Palace Boating Lake, N22. In the shadow of the palace itself, and bound to be reasonably priced. Plus it's next to the (pitiful) deer park and you can do a nice countryside walk to Hampstead Heath.

Richmond Boat House, TW9. Hire a rowing boat on the Thames at Richmond.

Most are only open roughly March-September so give them a call before packing your picnic.

^{^Picture of the Regent's Park Rowing Lake from flickr courtesy of Metro Centric^}