Queen Mary's Gardens in regent's park features 12,000 roses, japanese maples, and often peacocks roaming near the boating lake. Morning light through inner circle gardens is magical when mist rises off the lake.

Free entry to all royal parks. Holland park's kyoto garden stays quiet early morning while tourists hit hyde park speaker's corner. Natural sounds help drown out marylebone road traffic noise.

Access via baker street, regent's park, or holland park tubes. Much better than fighting crowds around diana memorial.