Best 16 London gardens

Explore 130 hectares (320 acres) housing more than 30,000 types of plant at Kew Gardens. This verdant garden in south-west London has a 250-year history and is a World Heritage Site.

Take the separate Garden Tour in summer when Buckingham Palace is open to the public to explore the 15 hectares (39 acres) of Buckingham Palace Gardens. During your visit, make sure to stop by the famous herbaceous border, wisteria-clad Summer House and the beautiful Rose Garden.

Discover a variety of lovely landscapes at Kensington Palace Gardens, including the 19th-century Italian Gardens.

Landscaped by renowned garden innovator Capability Brown, the 16 hectares (40 acres) of stunning outside space at Syon House feature the spectacular Great Conservatory and a host of rare trees and plants.

Home to an annual flower show, Hampton Court Palace Gardens were devised by Henry VIII as a magnificent display of opulence and cover more than 24 hectares (60 acres).

Among Charlton House's expansive grounds, the original walled garden is dedicated as a Peace Garden in support of Amnesty International's Stop Violence Against Women campaign.

Fulham Palace's spectacular gardens include an 18th-century walled garden and a variety of rare shrubs. Look out for The Bishop's Tree – a spectacular carved cedarwood sculpture.

The grounds of the art deco-inspired Eltham Palace include seven hectares (19 acres) of original medieval gardens, which also feature some unusual art deco elements and one of London's oldest working bridges over the moat.

These London gardens were designed in the 18th century by William Kent, whose idealised vision of the Italian countryside transformed British landscape gardening. Chiswick House and Grounds were lovingly restored in 2010, and are well worth a visit.

Climb the quirky yellow staircase at Queen Elizabeth Hall to find a hidden garden, featuring a wildflower meadow, mini allotments and a woodland garden with spectacular views of the river.

Discover a lush tropical garden 35 floors up at 20 Fenchurch Street. The Sky Garden, spread across the top three storeys of “The Walkie-Talkie” skyscraper, boasts breathtaking views of the London skyline, plus two restaurants and two bars.

Hidden on the top floor of The Culpeper pub, you’ll find a secret rooftop garden, complete with a greenhouse and a cocktail bar open in the summer. Many of the herbs and plants growing here are used in the pub’s kitchen.

Created as a strolling garden in 1991, the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park is a typical Japanese garden, featuring plants which have been carefully selected and maintained with special pruning techniques to reflect its oriental style.

The Flanders Fields Memorial Garden at Wellington Barracks commemorates troops who died in the First World War. Soil used in the garden was taken from battlefields and war cemeteries in Flanders, Belgium.

Founded in 1673 for the cultivation of medicinal plants, the peaceful Chelsea Physic Garden contains a Garden of World Medicine and an area dedicated to edible plants.

Complete your exploration of London gardens by visiting The Garden Museum, which is devoted to British gardening history and has an extraordinary garden of its own.