By Hayden Shearman (This post was originally published on the Get Active London blog.)

London has more green space than any other city on the planet. I learnt this the hard way when setting out to write a book about its top running spots—the book soon grew and grew because there were just so many incredible places to run. 

The following top-10 list could have included all the well-publicished central running havens (like Hyde, St James's, Regent's and Victoria Parks) and the mega parks out west (Bushy and Richmond) but chances are you already know about them and one of the things I love about running is the ability to explore new environments. So what lesser known parks should all Londoners explore?

Well, here is my top 10. I could have easily have made this list a top-40 rather than top-10, but these 10 will get you started and I'm sure make you hungry to explore more of London's hidden treasures.

Note: We've included the list below, but to read a full description of each park read the Get Active London blog. 

1. RUISLIP WOODS
Location: Ruislip (16.7mi NW of central London) 
Perimeter Distance: 9.0mi (when combined with Park, Copse, Mad Bess and Bayhurst Woods)

2. HOME PARK
Location: Kingston Upon Thames (11.8mi SW of central London)
Perimeter Distance: 5mi

3. HORNCHURCH COUNTRY PARK
Location: Hornchurch (15.8mi E of central London)
Perimeter Distance: 2.5mi

4. WIMBLEDON COMMON
Location: Wimbledon (8.1mi southwest of central London)
Perimeter Distance: 7.8mi

5. HAMPSTEAD HEATH
Location: Highgate (4.6mi N of central London)
Perimeter Distance: 8.0mi

6. GREENWICH PARK
Location: Greenwich (6.7mi SE of central London)
Perimeter Distance: 2mi (around Greenwich Park only)

7. CRYSTAL PALACE PARK
Location: Crystal Palace (7mi S of central London)
Perimeter Distance: 2.05mi

8. FRYENT COUNTRY PARK
Location: Kingsbury (9.1mi NW of central London)
Perimeter Distance: 2.3mi

9. DANSON PARK
Location: Bexleyheath (11.7mi southeast of central London)
Perimeter Distance: 2.4mi

10. QUEEN ELIZABETH OLYMPIC PARK 
Location: Stratford (5.8mi NE of central London)
Perimeter Distance: 3.6mi (following the art trail starting and finishing at Westfield) 

Hayden Shearman is the author of the new book Runner's Guide to London, which is the ultimate companion for exploring the runner's playground that is London (features over 120 London running routes and parks). www.runnersguidetolondon.co.uk

By Hayden Shearman // We all know that the most romantic thing you can possibly do on Valentine's Day is meet up with that special someone at some place nice and then get very sweaty together … [cough] … by going running. Here are my top spots for running in London this Valentine's Day: 

Hampstead Heath, perimeter 8.0mi (13k)
Lose yourselves in acre-upon-rolling-acre of woodlands and lakes. The views from Parliament Hill and the Pergola (West Heath) provide ideal picnic material, if only it wasn't February and so flipping freezing! 
Pros: Great views and great for romantic explorations. 
Cons: Some trails will be muddy. He or she may not like that, so be careful how you frame the comment "let's get dirty today". 

Home Park (Hampton Court Park), perimeter 5.0mi (8k)
The quieter of the Royal Parks, this is the ideal spot for some deep-and-meaningfuls while jogging through the gently waving grasses, past the glistening Long Water as herds of grazing wild deer watch you run by. 
Pros: Solitude (relatively speaking) and opportunity for a sweaty snog in front of a palace.
Cons: Your date may not be into sweaty snogs (pre-run snogs are usually your best bet). 

High Elms Country Park, perimeter 2.3mi (3.6k)
A nature reserve amongst sublime Bromley countryside. Start with a lap of the High Elms Trail and then run south to Charles Darwin's House where you can elaborate on the evolution of your love for each other (better not mention anything about survival of the fittest though). 
Pros: Feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. 
Cons: Is a world a way from the city by the time you've caught the train to Chelsfield and then jogged 2.0mi to the park (might want to take the car to this one!). 

Valentines Park, perimeter 2.0mi (3.2k)
This east London park (in Ilford) has 50ha of formal parkland, a boating lake, plenty of ducks to feed, a palace, and two lovely cafes to grab brunch. Plus Wanstead Park is just 0.6mi to the west, meaning you can take your date on a big adventure through the southern reaches of Epping Forest and finish at this cute spot. 
Pros: Everything you'd expect from a park bearing this name. 
Cons: Everyone else in Redbridge will probably bring their Valentine here as well. 

Greenwich Park, perimeter 2.0mi (3.2k)
Nothing says "I love you" like running to the end of the world for the love of your life. Here you can technically do just that by running to our planet's longitudinal zero. Also add-on a trip under the Thames via the foot tunnel near the Cutty Sark. And if you're all starry-eyed, why not top off your run with a visit to the observatory?
Pros: Greenwich has that royal air about it that shows how much you care for your prince or princess. 
Cons: Don't try to beat your Valentine to the top of the hills—this is not the time to impress them with your incredibly advanced VO2max … save that for later… [cough].