The first rule of having a private garden in London is not to talk about let anyone into your private garden in London. Except possibly on June 8-9.
At the beginning of June, over 100 gardens that are shut off to the vast majority of residents in the city will open their doors for people to have a nosy around for Open Gardens London, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2024.
For every other day in the year, you’ll have to make do with the frankly absurd (and lovingly welcomed) amount of green public space on offer to the city – but for two days, you can potter around the secret gardens that are normally kept off-limits.
Open Gardens London
London Parks & Gardens puts this event on every year, beckoning you into the green grass and summer flowers of those who own the hallowed private London garden.
Purchasing a ticket gives you access to every garden on display across the whole weekend, and you can even bring along your little ones. Kids under 12 are allowed in for free!
You can view an entire list of all participating gardens via the London Parks & Gardens website, but some of the highlights include roof gardens, city farms, allotments, spaces steeped in history, and much more.
A new entry to the game includes Barkston Gardens, which was the original site of Earl’s Court House as a Georgian private residence, and shows off a stunning white gazebo among its two lawns. Hyde Park Square is making a return for the first time since 2006, opening up a square just off London’s most famous park dating back to 1860.
Of course, plenty of returning gardens will be available to see in all their splendour, be it the pleasant splendour of the Oasis Farm in Waterloo, or the World Peace Garden in Camden. Get picking, plan your tour, and prepare for a weekend frolicking around the private gardens of London.
Open Gardens London takes place on June 8-9, with over 100 private gardens taking part. Find out more and book your spot here.