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Telegraph
05-05-2025
- Telegraph
London's 10 greatest gardens
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: 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: 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.
The Independent
04-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Penguins, pay up: Trump slaps tariffs on uninhabited islands near Antarctica
President Donald Trump announced wide-reaching tariffs against many U.S. trade partners on Wednesday — but the list inexplicably includes a series of uninhabited islands near Antarctica. The Trump administration has placed a 10 percent ' reciprocal tariff ' on the Heard and McDonald Islands, which are external territories of Australia near Antarctica, home to penguins, seals and glaciers. The islands are entirely uninhabited by humans and only accessible via a two-week voyage from Perth via a boat. 'Nowhere on Earth is safe,' Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Thursday. The White House did not immediately respond to The Independent 's request for information on why Trump chose to target uninhabited islands. Norfolk Island, a tiny volcanic outcrop in the South Pacific, also found itself on Trump's list. The move has left the island's 2,188 residents scratching their heads, a mixture of amusement and bewilderment rippling through the community. For Richard Cottle, owner of a local concrete-mixing business, the explanation is simple: "It was just a mistake." The island, located roughly 600 miles off eastern Australia, boasts a limited export trade, primarily Kentia palm seeds, the value of which falls well below $1million annually, and mostly shipped to Europe. "Norfolk Island is a little dot in the world," Cottle explained. "We don't export anything." The island's inclusion on the list of territories subject to the tariff, alongside major global economies, highlights the seemingly indiscriminate nature of the new trade measures. Dozens of other small territories, similarly lacking significant manufacturing or export industries, also found themselves unexpectedly targeted. Some, like the Heard and McDonald Islands in the Antarctic, which like Norfolk Island is overseen by Australia, did not even have human inhabitants. No matter - as of Thursday, they faced a 10 per cent tariff for exports to the U.S. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, on the campaign trail ahead of an election in a month, told the media his country did better than most with a tariff of 10 per cent - half of what the EU was hit with and one-third of what China got - but he had no explanation for Norfolk Island. "Last time I looked, Norfolk Island was a part of Australia," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. The separate, higher tariff "was somewhat unexpected and a bit strange", he added. According to U.S. government data, the U.S. has recorded trade deficits with Norfolk Island for the past three years. The island exported $300,000 worth of goods to the U.S. in 2022, $700,000 in 2023 and $200,000 in 2024. Its imports from the U.S. stayed at $100,000 in those years. Norfolk Island's imports from the U.S. peaked at $11.7 million in 2020, when no exports were recorded. The data did not specify what goods were traded. Other Norfolk Island business owners could think of no manufacturing industry on the island, and added that its main industry by far was tourism. One pest control business owner, who asked not to be named, said that although they did not export to the U.S., they imported some rodent bait from the U.S. via Australia. "Products from Norfolk Island are going to have a 29 per cent tariff? Well, there is no product, so it's not going to have an effect," said Gye Duncan, who owns a tax consultancy on the island. "They probably don't even know where Norfolk Island is in the world. It's just probably an anomaly." With reporting by the AP.
Ammon
04-04-2025
- Business
- Ammon
Tiny Australian outposts, including some with no people, targeted by Trump tariffs
Ammon News - Australia's remote, uninhabited islands in the Antarctic and a tiny territory with barely any exports found themselves caught up alongside global heavyweights in U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff regime, leaving locals and officials baffled. Richard Cottle, owner of a concrete-mixing business on Norfolk Island, said on Thursday there was only one explanation when Trump unveiled a hefty 29% tariff on the tiny territory about 600 miles off eastern Australia: "it was just a mistake". Though the rugged volcanic island in the southern Pacific does ship a modest amount of Kentia palm seeds abroad, typically worth less than $1 million a year, mostly to Europe, news of the unusually steep tariff passed through its 2,188 residents on Thursday with a mixture of amusement and confusion. "Norfolk Island is a little dot in the world," said Cottle by phone. "We don't export anything." Norfolk Island was among dozens of tiny territories which appeared on the same list as China and the European Union as recipients of Trump's highly anticipated tariff regime, even though they do not have a real manufacturing or export industry. Some, like the Heard and McDonald Islands in the Antarctic, which like Norfolk Island is overseen by Australia, did not even have human inhabitants. No matter - as of Thursday, they faced a 10% tariff for exports to the U.S. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, on the campaign trail ahead of an election in a month, told the media his country did better than most with a tariff of 10% - half of what the EU was hit with and one-third of what China got - but he had no explanation for Norfolk Island. "Last time I looked, Norfolk Island was a part of Australia," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. The separate, higher tariff "was somewhat unexpected and a bit strange", he added. According to U.S. government data, the U.S. has recorded trade deficits with Norfolk Island for the past three years. The island exported $300,000 worth of goods to the U.S. in 2022, $700,000 in 2023 and $200,000 in 2024. Its imports from the U.S. stayed at $100,000 in those years. Norfolk Island's imports from the U.S. peaked at $11.7 million in 2020, when no exports were recorded. The data did not specify what goods were traded. Other Norfolk Island business owners who spoke with Reuters could think of no manufacturing industry on the island, and added that its main industry by far was tourism. One pest control business owner, who asked not to be named, said that although they did not export to the U.S., they imported some rodent bait from the U.S. via Australia. "Products from Norfolk Island are going to have a 29% tariff? Well, there is no product, so it's not going to have an effect," said Gye Duncan, who owns a tax consultancy on the island. Miles Howe, a retired Australian public servant and former Norfolk Island Chamber of Commerce president, who lives on the island, said he did not think the tariffs worried Norfolk Island's people. "I think everyone's rather amused by the idea that we'd even register on the radar of somebody like Donald Trump." *Reuters
Sky News
03-04-2025
- Business
- Sky News
Island home only to penguins hit by tariffs - and other things you may have missed on 'Liberation Day'
No one expected penguins to bear the brunt of Liberation Day. But among the barrage of tariffs, the US took aim at uninhabited islands, talked up American beef and turned its nose up at plastic eggs. Here is what you might have missed in Donald Trump's expansive announcement. Tiny territories hit with big tariffs At first glance, newly imposed tariffs on countries such as China, the European Union, India and the UK stand out - ranging from 34% to 10% respectively. But the president also imposed tariffs on dozens of tiny territories - some of which don't even have human inhabitants. One of those was the Heard and McDonald Islands, an external territory of Australia in the Antarctic that is inhabited only by penguins and seals. Despite having no human residents - or imports and exports - the island now faces a 10% tariff for any goods bound for the US. Australian territory Norfolk Island, a volcanic island 600 miles east of Queensland, was also hit with a hefty 29% tariff on exports to the US. That's much higher than mainland Australia, which had a 10% tariff imposed. The news was met with confusion by some of Norfolk Island's 2,188 residents. "Norfolk Island is a little dot in the world," Richard Cottle, owner of a concrete-mixing business on the island, said on Thursday. "We don't export anything. It was just a mistake". 3:27 Although the island does ship a modest amount of Kentia palm seeds abroad, this is typically worth less than $1m (£760,000) a year, with the products mostly going to Europe. According to US government data, America has recorded trade deficits with Norfolk Island for the past three years. Other tiny nations and territories were also hit with 10% tariffs, including Tokelau, a dependent territory of New Zealand, with a population of around 1,600 people, and the Cocos Islands, another territory of Australia, with a population of around 600 people. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters he had no explanation for the tariffs, calling them "unexpected" and "a bit strange". 'Our beef is beautiful, theirs is weak' After announcing a 20% tariff against the European Union, Mr Trump's secretary of commerce Howard Lutnick spoke to Fox News to try to explain what was behind the decision. In a brief but bizarre rant, Mr Litnick spoke about the bloc's ban on imported chicken from the US. "I mean European Union won't take chicken from America," he said. "They will take lobsters from America... they hate our beef because our beef is beautiful and theirs is weak." The EU has a ban on chicken washed in chlorine - a practice that is approved by the United States Department of Agriculture. Although US beef is not completely prohibited in Europe, any beef that has been treated with artificial growth hormones - which is legal in the US and common among producers - is banned by the EU. Why was Russia exempt? Russia was not on Mr Trump's tariff list, despite his threat to introduce some on Russian oil imports last week. The US president made the threat after telling NBC's Kirsten Welker he was "very angry" and "pissed off" after Vladimir Putin criticised the credibility of Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as fragile peace negotiations are ongoing. Mr Trump said that if Russia was unable to make a deal on "stopping bloodshed in Ukraine" - and Mr Trump felt that Moscow was to blame - then he would put secondary tariffs on "all oil coming out of Russia". "That would be that if you buy oil from Russia, you can't do business in the United States. There will be a 25% tariff on all oil, a 25 to 50-point tariff on all oil," he said. Axios reported that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told the publication on Wednesday that Russia was left off the tariffs list because US sanctions already "preclude any meaningful trade". Russia ran a $2.5bn goods trade surplus with the US in 2024, according to the US Trade Representative's office, falling from $35bn in 2021 as a result of sanctions put in place due to the war in Ukraine. 'Could you use plastic eggs?' In a wide-ranging speech after his announcement, Mr Trump got onto the topic of eggs - the price of which reached an all-time high earlier this year in the US due to the outbreak of bird flu. On Wednesday, Mr Trump confirmed that the annual White House tradition of rolling around 30,000 Easter eggs across the South Lawn is expected to proceed, and will use real eggs, despite pleas for plastic ones to be used instead. "They were saying that for Easter 'Please don't use eggs. Could you use plastic eggs?' I say, we don't want to do that," Mr Trump said.
South China Morning Post
03-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Trump's tariffs rattle island that doesn't ‘export anything' to US
For Richard Cottle, owner of a concrete-mixing business on Norfolk Island, there was only one explanation when US President Donald Trump unveiled a hefty 29 per cent tariff on the tiny territory about 965km (600 miles) off eastern Australia: 'it was just a mistake'. Advertisement Though the rugged volcanic island in the southern Pacific does ship a modest amount of Kentia palm seeds abroad, typically worth less than US$1 million a year, mostly to Europe, news of the unusually steep tariff passed through its 2,188 residents on Thursday with a mixture of amusement and confusion. 'Norfolk Island is a little dot in the world,' Cottle said by phone. 'We don't export anything.' Norfolk Island was among dozens of tiny territories which appeared on the same list as China and the European Union as recipients of Trump's highly anticipated tariff regime, even though they do not have a real manufacturing or export industry. Some, like the Heard and McDonald Islands in the Antarctic, which like Norfolk Island is overseen by Australia, did not even have human inhabitants. No matter – as of Thursday, they faced a 10 per cent tariff for exports to the US. Advertisement Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, on the campaign trail ahead of an election in a month, told the media his country did better than most with a tariff of 10 per cent – half of what the EU was hit with and one-third of what China got – but he had no explanation for Norfolk Island.
