Love flowers? Love gardens? What about spring? Love that too? Well, then this is the perfect guide for you to find the best floral garden to scamper around in this spring.
1. Chelsea Physic Garden
Known as London’s secret garden, this green oasis tucked away beside the River Thames has a unique collection of 5,000 different plants. What’s even better is that they open the gardens until 10pm on (hopefully) warm summer evenings throughout July and August.
66 Royal Hospital Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4HS
2. The Garden of St. John’s Lodge
Robert Weir Shultz classed this garden as ‘fit for meditation’ in 1889 and, if it was enough to calm the soul in the 19th century, we’re pretty sure it’ll ease our minds now. Ornamented with lots of stonework and sculptures, you could easily get lost in the beauty of this corner of Regent’s Park.
NW1 4NR
3. Queen Mary’s Garden
This garden is definitely for all you flower lovers out there as Queen Mary’s Garden is home to the largest collection of roses in London. It’s kitted out with Mediterranean Borders, a Begonia Garden and strategically designed shrubberies — but just be careful when you’re trying to snap that perfect Instagram shot (we know you won’t be able to resist).
Chester Rd, NW1 4NR
4. Myddelton House Gardens
Boasting an impressive eight acres, this beautiful garden was created in the late 19th century by Edward Augustus Bowles, one of Britain’s most famous self-taught gardeners and botanists. With a lake, Victorian greenhouse and lots of pretty crevices to explore, this garden is well worth the trip to Lee Valley.
Bulls Cross, Enfield, EN2 9HG
5. Kew Gardens
It’s the one garden we’re damn sure you’ve heard about, but London’s largest UNESCO World Heritage Site was always going to make this list. Although it may be a little out of the way for many of us Londoners, Kew Gardens is well worth the trip. Kew has the largest, most diverse collection of plants in the world, so even if you think you don’t like flowers, you’ll probably like this place.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE
6. Dalston Eastern Curve Gardens
Built on an old railway line, this garden is run by volunteers and has wildlife-friendly trees and shrubs. If you’re a Dalston resident you’re in luck, as this garden lets you use their flowerbeds to plant your own treats, from tomatoes to fresh herbs.
13 Dalston Ln, London E8 3DF
7. Eltham Palace
This unoccupied royal residence is managed by the English Heritage and its Art Deco house has been described as a “masterpiece of modern design”. With a tasteful mix of old and new, this palace and its gardens are for interior lovers and garden goers alike.
Court Yard, Eltham, Greenwich, London, SE9 5QE
8. Syon House and Gardens
Syon Park is one of the last great houses of London but it’s their expansive gardens and conservatory that will win you over. Take a stroll around Syon Park’s gardens, arboretum, parklands and meadows to take in some of the rare collections of wildlife and plants.
Syon Park, Brentford TW8 8JF
9. Kyoto Japanese Garden at Holland Park
Originally built to celebrate the 1992 Japan Festival in London, this Kyoto garden is a thing of pure beauty. Who needs a plane ticket to Japan when this garden is so damn convincing? Get so lost in the pretty trees and Japanese features that you’ll forget you’re just a stone’s throw away from High Street Kensington.
Ilchester Place, Kensington, London W8 6LU
10. Charlton House Gardens
With three walled gardens to choose from, there’s plenty to see and walk around at this free green space. Expect cute courtyards, ponds and everything pretty in-between. There’s also a long list of events and tours in case you want to make a proper day out of it and, really, we can’t blame you.
Charlton House, Charlton Road, London SE7 8RE