Head outside and visit London's beautiful gardens, from magnificent Royal Parks to smaller green spaces maintained by volunteers. See thousands of plants and flowers at Kew Gardens or enjoy quiet walks in London's most peaceful places.
Royal gardens in London
Magnificent royal palaces with centuries of history host many of the best gardens in London. Walk in the footsteps of royalty as you stroll through these famous London gardens.
1. Buckingham Palace gardens
Enjoy a walk in the garden along the south side of Buckingham Palace as part of your ticket to the Buckingham Palace Summer Opening. The palace houses a hidden oasis covering 16 hectares (40 acres), including the famous herbaceous border, wisteria-clad Summer House and the beautiful Rose Garden.
2. Kew Gardens
Explore the 130 hectares (321 acres) at Kew Gardens, which houses more than 50,000 types of living plants and millions of preserved ones. This verdant garden in south-west London has a 250-year history and is listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
3. Syon House and 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.
4. Kensington Palace Gardens
Discover a variety of lovely landscapes at Kensington Palace Gardens, including the 19th-century Italian Gardens. Walk among ponds, beautiful flowers and impressive terraces along the way.
5. Hampton Court Palace Gardens
Created by Henry VIII, Hampton Court Palace Gardens bloom in a magnificent display of opulence and cover more than 24 hectares (59 acres). Hampton Court Palace even puts on an annual Garden Festival.
Flower gardens in London
Travel back in time at these fascinating gardens in former private estates and beautiful London palaces.
6. Charlton House Peace Garden
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.
7. Fulham Palace Gardens
The spectacular green space at Fulham Palace includes an 18th-century walled garden with wisteria, fruit trees and rare shrubs. Go for a woodland walk and step along the path lined with cow parsley and bluebells.
8. Eltham Palace and Gardens
The grounds of Eltham Palace and Gardens feature eight hectares (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 stones and cascades into the beautiful Rock Garden.
9. Chiswick House and Grounds
The 300-year-old Chiswick House and Grounds is a vision of Italian-inspired 18th-century architecture. As the birthplace of the English Landscape Movement, Chiswick House has had a lasting influence on a number of famous outdoor spaces, including Central Park in New York City and Blenheim Palace.
Roof gardens in London
Soak up amazing views of the capital from these sky-high London roof gardens.
10. Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden
Climb the quirky yellow staircase at Queen Elizabeth Hall to find a hidden summertime roof garden, featuring more than 200 wild plants, a lawn and a cafe for stopping to enjoy spectacular views of the river Thames.
11. Sky Garden
Discover a lush tropical garden at the highest point of 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.
12. The Culpeper
Discover a tucked-away rooftop garden on the top floor of The Culpeper pub in east London. This secret space comes complete with a greenhouse and a cocktail bar that can be enjoyed year-round. The pub's kitchen uses many of the herbs and plants that grow here.
Botanical gardens in London
London is home to many hidden gardens which offer a quiet spot away from the buzz of urban life in the capital.
13. Kyoto Garden in Holland Park
Walk the tranquil paths of Kyoto Garden in Holland Park. This picturesque Japanese garden features carefully selected plants which are maintained using special pruning techniques to reflect the garden's East Asian style.
14. Flanders Fields Memorial Garden
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.
15. Natural History Museum Wildlife Garden
Make a stop at the Wildlife Garden on the grounds of the Natural History Museum, a slice of serene in the bustling South Kensington. Uncover a bronze diplodocus installation set among more than 3,300 species of British flora and fauna.
16. Chelsea Physic Garden
Founded in 1673 for the cultivation of medicinal plants, the peaceful Chelsea Physic Garden still grows botanical species used in medicine, as well as edible plants and woodland flora from around the world. Visit to see the largest outdoor fruiting olive tree in Britain and many rare species.
17. Garden Museum
Complete your exploration of London gardens by visiting the Garden Museum, devoted to British gardening history. The fascinating museum showcases innovations in modern-day gardening and has an extraordinary garden of its own.
Explore even more London gardens and beautiful places around the capital, from places straight out of a fairytale to the allure of old London.
Head outside and check out the top 101 things to do outdoors in London.
