Beautiful parks and gardens
If you’re looking for free things to do in London, how about a walk in one of the city’s many parks or gardens? In this section, I highlight beautiful London parks, from hidden gems to local favourites.
Kyoto Garden in Holland Park
Kyoto Garden, located in the middle of Holland Park, was originally built to celebrate the Festival of Japan in 1992.
This captivating Japanese garden has a tiered waterfall flowing into a pond filled with koi carp fish. A path over the pond makes an ideal photo spot.
Kyoto Garden is particularly attractive in spring, when the cherry tree is in full bloom. It’s also pretty in autumn when the trees turn yellow and red. Look out for the park's resident peacocks!
Location: West London (Holland Park)
Nearest stations: Holland Park tube or Kensington Olympia tube
Italian Garden in Kensington Gardens
Kensington Gardens, one of the official Royal Parks, was once part of Kensington Palace but is now open to the public. One of the prettiest parts of the park is the Italian Garden.
Said to be a gift from Prince Albert to Queen Victoria, the garden has four raised ponds, fountains, and sculptures, with plenty of benches where you can sit back and enjoy the elegant setting.
Visit in the summer to see the flower displays in full bloom.
Location: Central London (Kensington)
Nearest station: Lancaster Gate tube
Old English Garden in Battersea Park
The Old English Garden in Battersea Park is a walled garden, so it feels quite private and peaceful, despite being in the heart of busy Battersea Park.
Built in the early 1900s, it fell into disrepair before being restored by the gardening charity Thrive in the 2000s.
It has a central water feature with a little fountain, a sundial, shaded walkways and a trellis which is clad in wisteria in spring.
If you’d like to spend a bit longer in Battersea Park, then there is also a Sub Tropical Garden, a lakeside walk, and the Pump Gallery which displays changing exhibitions of contemporary art.
Location: South West London (Battersea)
Nearest station: Battersea Park rail
Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park
Isabella Plantation is a woodland garden which is fabulous in spring when the colourful azaleas and rhododendrons are out. It’s also pretty in autumn. The garden has ponds and streams and is a site of scientific interest due to the exotic plants on display.
If you want to see more of the huge and wild Richmond Park, then there are lots of different routes to explore. Look out for the resident deer!
Location: South West London (Richmond)
Nearest station: Richmond tube/rail then a bus
Chumleigh Gardens in Burgess Park
Chumleigh Gardens is a multi-cultural garden, created in the 1990s to reflect the area's diversity.
The garden was built around a group of 19th century almshouses which were originally accommodation for women in poverty.
There's an English garden at the front, with a lawn and formal flower beds, and an Islamic garden tucked round the back.
Location: South East London (Camberwell)
Nearest station: Elephant and Castle tube/rail station
Avenue Gardens in Regents Park
Designed by John Nash (the architect behind Buckingham Palace and the Marble Arch), the Avenue Gardens consist of formal flower beds, tall hedges, and ornamental bowls on display along neat paths.
The gardens are a great place to stroll in the golden hour as the sun starts to set. If you want to explore beyond the gardens, other highlights include the Queen Mary Rose Garden and the nearby Primrose Hill viewpoint.
Location: Central London (Marylebone)
Nearest station: Regents Park tube
St James’s Park
Unlike some of the hidden gems on this list, St James Park is one of the most well known parks in the city, located close to popular sites like Trafalgar Square.
Don't miss the impressive flower border near Horseguards Parade (pictured) which is colourful in summer. Another great time to visit is in early spring when the park is full of crocuses and daffodils.
The blue bridge over the lake is a great place to take photos - you can see straight through to famous landmarks like the London Eye.
Location: Central London (Westminster)
Nearest stations: St James’s Park tube or Charing Cross tube/rail
Beckenham Place Park
Beckenham Place Park is a large green space with ancient woodland, and a lake which has recently opened for wild swimming (book tickets in advance).
The historic stable building and courtyard (pictured) has been restored, and is now home to a fabulous cafe and gift shop. Don’t miss the pretty sensory garden and formal flower beds around the stable.
Beckenham Mansion, a beautiful Georgian building situated in the park, is home to artists studios and hosts many special events from wellbeing classes to craft markets.
Location: South East London (outskirts)
Nearest station: Beckenham Hill rail
Flower Garden in Greenwich Park
The flower garden in Greenwich Park is perhaps one of the least discovered parts of the park.
With lawns full of well maintained seasonal flower beds, this is a wonderful place to relax.
If you’d like to see more of the park, then other highlights include the rose garden near the Rangers House, and the viewpoint near the Royal Observatory looking down into Greenwich.
Location: South East London (Greenwich)
Nearest station: Cutty Sark DLR
Hampstead Heath
It’s easy to forget you’re in London in Hampstead Heath, which a vast green space. There is a lot of variety too - everything from swimming ponds to woodlands and valleys.
Kenwood House, a former stately home now looked after by English Heritage, is situated on the north side of the park and is free to enter.
I particularly like the Hill Garden and Pergola which has gorgeous wisteria in spring, and lovely views down to the Italianate Hill Garden.
Location: North London (Hampstead)
Nearest station: Hampstead tube, Hampstead Heath rail or Gospel Oak rail
Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens is a huge botanical garden with over 50,000 plants. It's particularly lovely in late spring when Rhodenderon Dell is at its most colourful, and in summer when the Great Board Walk Borders are in bloom. Autumn is also worth a visit to see the colours of the 11,000 trees in the Arboretum. But there are also events in winter - a fantastic Orchid Festival takes place every February, showcasing orchids from different regions each year.
There are so many things to see in the garden you could easily spend a whole day there. Highlights include Temperate House, the world's largest Victorian glasshouse, the Great Pagoda with views over London, and the Treetop Walkway which offers a unique perspective of the gardens. Other attractions include Kew Palace, open in spring and summer, the Marianne North Gallery with its stunning botanical paintings, and Palm House which has many tropical plants.
Location: West London (Kew)
Nearest station: Kew Gardens tube or Kew Bridge rail
Church Gardens, Harefield
If you're in West London then you might want to consider visiting the Church Gardens in Harefield.
These historic walled gardens, restored and maintained by a local family, include a fabulous Kitchen Garden with long borders and vegetable patches, and an orchard which has a wildlife pond.
There is also a lovely cafe with home baked cakes, which sometimes hosts live music events. Check opening times before you go as these can be limited.
Location: West London (outskirts)
Nearest station: Northwood tube, then a bus
Fulham Palace Garden
The lovely 13 acre Fulham Palace garden, which is free to visit, includes a gorgeous walled garden. I first came here when I’d recently bought a new camera, and I had a great time testing it out here.
The garden was once a peaceful sanctuary for the Bishops of London who have lived in the house for thousands of years. They used to grow food here, and cultivate exotic plants. The current walled garden incorporates a wall that was here in Tudor times.
Spring is a good time to visit when there is wisteria on display.
Location: West London (Fulham)
Nearest station: Putney Bridge
Victoria Embankment Gardens
The delightful Embankment Gardens are a lovely alternative to the central London parks if you’re looking for somewhere to sit and watch the world go by. There’s a cafe here with outdoor seating, and some deckchairs.
With their formal flower beds, the Gardens look beautiful in spring when there are many tulips on display (pictured). They’re also close to the river if you want to take a longer walk in the area.
Location: Central London (West End)
Nearest station: Embankment tube