London outdoors

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Summer can be unpredictable in London, and the winter a little damp, but most Londoners try to get out and enjoy the great outdoors whatever the weather.

Temporary outdoor ice rinks are a regular feature of the winter season, boats ply up and down the Thames throughout the year, and in the summer there are several little-known spots where you can enjoy an alfresco dip.

Kristina Pentland from travel guidebook publishers, Rough Guides, goes out and about in London.

Hampstead Ponds

Known as North London's "green lung", Hampstead Heath is one of the city's most enjoyable parks. Though little of its original heathland remains, there's still a wonderful variety of bucolic scenery in its 800 acres.

At the park's southern end, there are numerous ponds, three of which "" one for men, one for women and one mixed "" you can swim in for free.

The thickest woodland is to be found in the West Heath, beyond Whitestone Pond, also the site of the most formal section, Hill Garden, a secretive and romantic little gem with eccentric balustraded terraces and a ruined pagoda.

Somerset House Ice Rink

Set up each winter during the Christmas and New Year periods in the eighteenth century courtyard of Somerset House, this is London's most picturesque and magical place to skate.

Portobello Road Market

Situated in one of the wealthiest, celebrity saturated parts of town, Portobello Road Market (Fri & Sat) is probably London's trendiest, yet it's always a great spot for a browse and a bargain. It offers brilliant retro clothes, bric-a-brac, antiques, and fruit and veg as well as jewellery, odd trinkets, records and books.

Westminster Abbey College Gardens

From Tuesday to Thursday, go to the College Garden at Westminster Abbey "" a 900-year-old stretch of green which provides a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city; brass band concerts take place in July and August between 12.30 and 2pm (free).

This information has been adapted from London DIRECTIONS (1st edition), written by Rob Humphreys, published by Rough Guides, roughguides.com.

New from Rough Guides, the DIRECTIONS guides include a mini CD containing the full text of the guide in PDF format, complete with hundreds of weblinks.