Gardens
THE 10 BEST London Gardens
Gardens in London
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- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
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Showing results 1-30 of 97
What travelers are saying
- Dreamer71531169 contributionsToday ordered Toad in the hole with mashed potatoes, vegetables and gravy. Followed by coffee cake and tea.
New item on the menu cooked just like my grandmother used to make.
Mince and onion pie and steak and ale pie just some of the other meals eaten at this local friendly cafe.
Five stars all round😋Written November 16, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Lucille K1 contributionThe Crown to Couture exhibition left a lot to be desired I'm afraid, both my husband and I left a little disappointed and actually keen to leave half way through due to the congestion. The whole thing felt a little claustrophobic and poorly planned, I left feeling like I hadn't really learned or seen anything.
Being Kensington Palace we were expecting to see more historical royal dress, however the majority of the clothing was centered around the most recent Met Galas. The costumes shown were absolutely beautiful, however the amount of people that were let into the timeslots made it impossible to appreciate them.
There were some exhibitions which I thought weren't showcased in the best light, for instance larger size models that I felt were a bit disrespectful with lumpy padding to showcase a larger figure.
I would suggest reviewing how the V&A conduct exhibition as they always land these very well.Written October 23, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - AlinaRCHertfordshire1,515 contributionsThe gardens are a delight any time of year. As autumn arrives, there is plenty of colour from late flowering shrubs and trees; berries and turning leaves.
We went to see the recently restored glasshouses - not quite finished but almost there. One house with the scented pelargoniums, another with cacti and then the long greenhouse with tropical plants. The fernery was also looking green and lush. Part of the gardens are a traditional botanical garden with plants arranged in order by family. More recent planting includes vegetables and other edible plants. The location in london and high walls give it a very mild climate, where plants that otherwise only grow in warm climates still thrive. It has the UK's largest olive tree, a fruiting grapefruit outdoors, and pomegranates with fruit.
We joined one of the guided tours - an interesting mix of history, plants of seasonal interest and anecdotes about the medicinal properties of the plants. It takes about a couple of hours to look around, but you can easily spend longer finding out more about the fascinating history of the plants.
On the practical side, there is a small shop with well selected, plant related gifts, and a cafe that does a small but tasty range of hot and cold food - we enjoyed a reasonably priced tomato soup. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. It is about 12 minutes walk from Sloane Sq tube, or a 170 bus stop directly outside.Written October 31, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Josh TLondon, UK83 contributionsVisited on a weekday during November 2023. No advance booking required. Breezed through security and onto the 15th floor, with practically no queues and no fuss.
The grounds are well-maintained with good views over London. Although slightly obscured by taller buildings, the views are 360 degrees in an open air environment. Far less crowded in comparison to the nearby Sky Garden (which also requires advance booking). Would recommend.Written November 17, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Trudy DReno, United States6 contributionsBeautiful Japanese garden tucked away in the middle of London. Not large, but so peaceful and tranquil - make time to see it!Written November 7, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Flitz8-A foodie travelsAmsterdam, The Netherlands2,988 contributionsThe gardens are lovely here ,roses when in season look so pretty in their section and with names for them as well ,enjoyed seeing rosesWritten October 18, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- abhinavkapoor1984New Delhi, India21 contributionsThis is good place to visit from outside.
Just 15-20 mins is sufficient for this place. Nothing inside. Its a concert hall. Good when some concert happens. Buy tickets online before heading this place.
Hour away from central london. Nothing so special.Written September 24, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Louis CecileLondon, UK329 contributionsThe Hill Garden and Pergola are worth the trip from the main part of Hampstead to experience pure peace. It is around a twenty-minute walk from town and there is a sign indicating a concealed entrance. This entrance feels like you are trespassing on someone's property, but it provides a sense of mystery before coming to the garden. The garden is immaculately designed. There is a small pond that leads to the pergola where you can see landscape views. There is not much more to it than this, but it is tranquil and perfect to escape from the world.Written October 30, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Pam Munday-Chanin53 contributionsWhat a magical spot
It felt like an oasis in the middle of London.
The water was very calming
Nd the fish were greatWritten July 23, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - ndw78Newcastle upon Tyne, UK1,748 contributionsPopped in on my way to the O2 and so glad I did, what an amazing place right in the middle of the city. You would never know it was there. It’s built on the GMT line so the plants are separated into north and west hemispheres with lovely walkways to view them and chillWritten October 3, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MichaelMc777Sunnyvale, CA4,645 contributionsThis long garden next to the river is lovely to stroll. It has nice benches to sit on and enjoy a sandwich…. Some large shade trees. And, beautifully done small flower gardens.
A wonderful place to rest and stroll, while visiting the nearby sites.Written July 20, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - GParkin22 contributionsNice free playground which my 7 year old enjoyed. Lots going on to watch and very close to Waterloo Station. Good place to spend before or after going to the Aquarium etc.Written February 16, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- GlobetrotterNL83Greater London, UK1,007 contributionsFriendly welcome upon arrival. Map provided. Small giftshop and expensive cafe. The great hall, library and court yard are beautiful. Small museum with exhibits as well. We enjoyed walking around the walled garden and the setting so close to the Thames is lovely too. Very busy with lots of families having a picnic.Written June 4, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ShaunH290London, UK2,294 contributionsThe deconsecrated church of St Mary-at-Lambeth is right next to the entrance to Lambeth Palace. Apparently, it would have been demolished if it had not been turned into something else. That would have been a shame! But how do you make a Garden Museum on a reasonably small plot of land between the Archbishop's Palace and a main road?
The team had some advantages and some brilliant ideas! The building has been wonderfully restored - the stained glass appears new (I could not find anything on the building restoration, so I may be wrong) and, due to the insertion of an upper floor, you can get much closer to it than in most churches. There are several historical wall memorials (e.g. Hon Herbert Lyttelton Pelham, killed in action in 1914; Frederick Cornwallis, Archbishop of Canterbury was buried here). There is the tomb of William Bligh, of Mutiny on the Bounty fame (though the inscription does not mention that event). Most spectacularly, there is the highly-decorated tomb of English naturalists and explorers John Tradescant the Elder (c. 1570s – 1638) and John Tradescant the Younger (1608–1662), who introduced many new plants to English gardens. Carl Linnaeus honoured them by naming the genus Tradescantia after them. Both these tombs are in the enclosed garden.
Two architectural features stand out:
1. The font, usually next to the front door, is replaced by a full immersion baptismal pool - semi-circular with steps on both ends (I have not seen such in an Anglican church previously).
2. The tower, ascended by 131 steps. You can enter the tower alone for a reduced fee, but the full ticket price for the museum covers it too. The views are brilliant and we had the advantage of a very clear day.
The whole idea of a Garden Museum is a huge challenge, especially in such a small site. The museum collection proper is upstairs (there is a lift). There are exhibits on famous gardeners, but obviously this is a microcosm of the world of gardening. The organisers have done a good job, though it inevitably falls short, despite their best efforts, covering such a huge topic. But they do have one exhibit which is amazing: Humphry Repton's Red Book for Sundridge Park (1793). It is bound in blue, rather than red, but I have never seen one on public display.
All in all, recommended, but manage your expectations! And the owners do have plans for further development.Written November 25, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about London
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- These are the best hidden gems for gardens in London:
- Chelsea Physic Garden
- Kyoto Garden
- Victoria Embankment Gardens
- Crossrail Place Roof Garden
- Hill Garden & Pergola