The former England captain and wife Victoria recently returned to live in the capital after he finished his playing career in Los Angeles.

In an interview with the Sunday Times magazine, Becks says one of things he most enjoys about London is its parks.

“I love living back in London,” he said. ''I enjoy its big parks, especially ones like Battersea. I love walking through them after I've been playing five-a-side with some friends.”

Battersea Park covers 200 acres and is visited by around three million people each year.

Last year it was given a prestigious Green Flag award by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, which described it as "the jewel in the crown of London's parks" and said it "boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities".

According to the charity "no other park in the capital offers so much to see, do and enjoy. Its numerous attractions include a boating lake, sports courts, an Olympic quality running track, bike hire, a popular and amazing children's zoo, lakeside restaurant, Victorian bandstand, tennis courts, all weather floodlit sports pitches and an impressive peace pagoda - a unique London landmark complete with gold-coloured Buddhas overlooking the River Thames.

"The park also provides a peaceful oasis in central London where visitors can relax, read a book, enjoy a picnic and get away from all the noise and stresses of London life. Its beautifully maintained gardens, especially its famous sub-tropical Victorian garden and the new Winter Garden - the vision and creation of the Friends of Battersea Park - really do offer a tranquil and relaxing place to get away from it all.

"Battersea Park truly is one of London's most popular and well used parks - welcoming more than three million visitors through its gates last year. There is so much to see, do and enjoy that it's impossible to do it all in a day. That's why people come back time after time to enjoy something new."