London's 10 greatest gardens

Telegraph

05-05-2025

London may be a sprawling metropolis, but it's also a garden lover's paradise. With more than 3,000 parks and green spaces, the capital offers everything from manicured royal gardens to secret urban oases and plants with a view.
Whether you're after a tranquil afternoon among roses or a chance to see rare orchids under glass, London's gardens deliver sensory delights and unexpected discoveries at every turn. If you're having a busy day of sightseeing, factor in a date with nature for that all-important reset. Before you go, it's worth checking opening hours – some gardens are seasonal or host events that may affect access.
Here's our pick of the capital's finest green spaces.
For further London inspiration, see our guides to the capital's best hotels, restaurants, nightlife, shopping and things to do. For family-focused places to stay, check out our guide to the best family-friendly hotels in London.
Kew Gardens
Arguably the crown jewel of British horticulture, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew is a Unesco World Heritage Site boasting more than 50,000 living plants. Housing the world's most diverse collection of living plants, Kew's highlights include the soaring Palm House, the Japanese Gateway, and the recently restored Temperate House – the largest surviving Victorian glasshouse in the world.
With 321 acres to explore, Kew is a deep dive into global plant diversity and breathtaking landscape design. The gardens also include the ornate Great Pagoda and Kew Palace – the former summer residence of King George III, which is open in the summer months.
Insider tip: For a bird's-eye view of the gardens, walk along the 60ft-high Treetop Walkway. Stop by Petersham Nurseries in nearby Richmond for lunch with botanical flair.
Contact: kew.org
Price: Adults £22; free for children under four
How to get there: Kew Gardens Station (District line or Overground); 10-minute walk. Parking available but limited
Barbican Conservatory
A brutalist surprise, the Barbican's hidden conservatory is the second-largest in London and feels like a futuristic jungle. It was built in 1984 at the request of the then-resident Royal Shakespeare Company to disguise the Barbican's fly tower.
Nestled within the concrete and glass of the iconic arts complex, its tropical plants climb the concrete beams, while koi glide beneath steel walkways. You will find it on level three, where two floors of bridges, walkways and streams unfold before you. Plants hang suspended in mid-air, with towering Kentia palms and lush tree ferns. It's part plant haven, part architectural marvel – and a brilliant respite from the city bustle.
Insider tip: Go on a Sunday afternoon and catch a matinee performance or explore the Barbican's art exhibitions after your visit.
Chelsea Physic Garden
Established in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, this is London's oldest botanic garden and a medicinal plant treasure trove. Spread across three and a half acres, this delightful English garden is home to one of Europe's oldest rock gardens, a herb garden rich with culinary and medicinal plants, botanical order beds, glasshouses, rare specimens and tender species – plus the largest outdoor olive tree in Britain. Tucked behind high brick walls along the Thames, it's home to more than 4,500 medicinal, edible and useful plants.
Insider tip: Spring is prime time for rare alpine blooms. Grab a table at the garden café for herbal-infused cakes and teas.
Eltham Palace Gardens
Once a cherished medieval palace and the childhood home of Henry VIII, Eltham Palace was later transformed into a stunning art deco mansion by the eccentric millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld.
The grounds of Eltham Palace and Gardens feature 19 acres of original medieval gardens, as well as some unusual art deco elements and one of London's oldest working bridges over the moat. Water trickles down the stones and cascades into the beautiful rock garden. With formal rose gardens and herbaceous borders, it's a fascinating study in layered landscaping.
Insider tip: Combine your visit with the palace interior for a time-travelling double bill. Step inside this stylish home, equipped with cutting-edge 1930s technology, and glimpse the Courtaulds' lavish way of life.
Kyoto Garden, Holland Park
This serene Japanese garden in the heart of West London was a gift from Kyoto to celebrate the Japan Festival in 1991. Tucked within the leafy expanse of Holland Park, the Kyoto Garden offers a serene retreat from London's bustle.
This meticulously crafted green space blends traditional design with natural beauty. Cascading waterfalls, ornamental ponds filled with koi carp, and immaculately pruned shrubs create a landscape that invites quiet reflection. Stone lanterns and tiered walkways add authenticity, while peacocks roam freely across the manicured lawns. The Kyoto Garden remains a testament to cultural exchange and enduring craftsmanship.
Insider tip: Visit early morning midweek to avoid crowds and enjoy the soft dappled light. Bring a book and settle under the ginkgo tree.
Gardens at Buckingham Palace
Usually hidden from public view, the 39-acre gardens at Buckingham Palace are a rare glimpse into the Royal family's private green retreat. With sweeping lawns, 156 plane trees, a three-and-a-half-acre lake and a spectacular herbaceous border, the gardens feel surprisingly secluded despite their central London location. During summer opening months, visitors can stroll specially designed trails past wildflower meadows, rose gardens and beehives producing royal honey.
Insider tip: Book in advance for July to September, when full garden tours are available. Late afternoons tend to be quieter.
Contact: rct.uk
Price: Adult tickets from £16.50 for garden-only access; the gardens are also available to visit as part of a full-tour ticket.
How to get there: Green Park Station (Victoria, Jubilee, Piccadilly lines); five-minute walk.
The Garden at 120
Perched atop one of the City's modern towers, The Garden at 120 offers a rare, free-to-enter green space with sweeping views across London. Set 15 storeys above Fenchurch Street, this elegantly landscaped rooftop is planted with wisteria, wildflowers and olive trees, creating a peaceful escape from this hectic part of town.
Wooden decking, flowing water features and thoughtfully designed seating areas encourage visitors to linger. Unlike many city gardens, no booking is required, making it one of London's most accessible – and uplifting – sky-high retreats.
Insider tip: Visit just before sunset for golden-hour views of the Gherkin and St Paul's. Nearby Fortnum & Mason's Royal Exchange café is ideal for a stylish post-visit coffee.
St Dunstan in the East
Once the proud work of Christopher Wren, this bomb-damaged church has evolved into one of London's most haunting and beautiful secret gardens. Ivy and fig trees weave through crumbling stonework, while soaring Gothic arches frame secluded patches of greenery.
Destroyed during the Blitz, the ruins have been lovingly reclaimed by nature, creating a space that feels both timeless and quietly moving. Today, St Dunstan in the East is a serene retreat for City workers, photographers and visitors in search of stillness, just minutes from the Tower of London.
Insider tip: Bring a sandwich and take a quiet lunch break as part of your tour of this historic part of London.
Phoenix Garden
A biophilic retreat away from the tourist madness of Covent Garden? Phoenix Garden is that. Tucked between Covent Garden and Soho's bustling streets, the Phoenix Garden is a rare pocket of tranquillity in the heart of London's West End.
This community-run space was established in the 1980s and has evolved into a charming urban wildlife haven, with wildflower meadows, native planting and hidden benches perfect for a quiet pause. Bees, butterflies and even the occasional frog thrive among the greenery. Despite its central location, the garden remains delightfully under the radar – a perfect stop for weary shoppers, theatre-goers or anyone seeking a breath of fresh air.
Insider tip: Visit in late spring when the wildflowers are at their best, and pick up lunch from nearby Seven Dials Market, packed with independent food stalls.
The Hill Garden and Pergola, Hampstead
Perched above Hampstead Heath, this semi-wild Edwardian garden remains one of London's most romantic hidden corners. Built in 1906 by philanthropist Lord Leverhulme for lavish summer parties, its once-pristine stone columns and walkways are now charmingly overgrown with vines. The faded grandeur only adds to its dreamy atmosphere, making it a favourite for quiet strolls and picnics with City views.
Insider tip: Visit at golden hour for atmospheric photography and combine it with a walk on nearby Hampstead Heath.
Natural History Museum Wildlife Garden
The Natural History Museum is, of course, one of London's top – and consequently busiest – attractions, but this garden still feels under the radar. Hidden behind the museum's grand Victorian façade, the Wildlife Garden, established in 1995, is a living showcase of Britain's rich biodiversity, with woodland, meadow, pond and hedgerow habitats carefully recreated.
More than 3,000 species have been recorded here, from dragonflies to hedgehogs, offering a rare glimpse of native nature in the middle of South Kensington. It's an inspiring counterpoint to the museum's grand indoor exhibitions – and a perfect spot for a peaceful, al fresco moment amid scientific discovery.
Insider tip: Arrive early in the day on weekdays when the garden is at its quietest and the wildlife is most active.
How we choose
Every garden in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from church grounds to botanical gardens – to best suit every type of visitor. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.
About our expert
Alison Taylor moved from Yorkshire to London 18 years ago and never looked back. She will mainly be found eating and drinking in East London, or grabbing dumplings in Chinatown and a taking wander through the reassuring madness of Soho.