Larking about in London's parks

Lucky old London has more parkland than any other capital in the world. And what a diverse range it is - from the sweeping plains of Richmond to the stateliness of St James's, the barren urbanity of Clapham Common to 'secret' pockets of prettiness like Postman's Park, in the shadow of St Paul's, and Meanwhile Gardens, an oasis from the Harrow Road's smog.

Right now, thanks in part to the wet summer, our parks are looking brilliant. Caf?s are improving, too: La Gondola al Parco has just opened in Battersea, while Burlington's Caf? at Chiswick House has dog biscuits for hungry hounds and fresh ciabatta for their owners.

As our somewhat optimistic obsession with the great outdoors continues, on a sunny weekend you'll find every square centimetre of parkland taken up with picnickers, sunbathers, dog walkers, ball-game lovers, readers and daydreamers. Charlotte Williamson asked five famous London faces (six if you don't count Gilbert & George as a single unit) to tell us about their favourite London park. And what, exactly, they do there.

June Sarpong in Holland Park
Emma Hope in Hyde Park
Gilbert and George in Kensington Gardens
Patrick Neate in Richmond Park
Emma Chambers in Battersea Park