Inside London’s secret urban gardens
Delve deeper to find greenhouses, fountains, lush planting and iconic vistas of London’s landmarks, hidden within the cityscape
Behind the closed gates and painted railings of iconic squares, in urban community allotments, and up high on the rooftops of London are some magical, hidden gardens waiting to be discovered. Did you know, that among the concrete and crowds lie stunning wildflower meadows, extraordinary habitats of lesser stag beetles and butterflies, lush orchards, secret bird hides, and even a 900-year-old restored garden?
Horticultural havens
Here’s your chance to uncover some of London’s lesser-known horticultural highlights.
25 Cannon Street
St Paul’s Cathedral creates a stunning backdrop for this sunny rooftop garden
Lush planting creates a private oasis with views of The Shard
This mini jewel-of-a-city rooftop space overlooks St Paul’s Cathedral and is stylishly planted using contemporary raised beds. The garden showcases the diversity of corporate urban spaces and features many herbaceous plants and grasses, forming part of the city’s biodiversity green corridor.
- Location: 25 Cannon Street, EC4M 9AF
Barbican Wildlife Garden
Rich planting in the garden helps encourage wildlife and biodiversity
Devoted to enhancing biodiversity at the heart of the Square Mile, this garden, awarded an RHS ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ Award for six years running, is home to 300 species of wildlife, including the lesser stag beetle and house sparrow, and includes ponds, an orchard, a bird hide and a meadow.
- Location: Barbican Wildlife Garden, Fann Street, EC2Y 8BR
Cloth Fair Hidden Garden
Behind St Bartholomew’s provides the perfect hiding spot for some downtime
A volunteer finds solace listening to the melodic tunes of a local musician
Hidden behind the 900-year-old St Bartholomew the Great, London’s oldest church, this garden has been farmland, a priory garden, a school building and a manicured garden. Following a period of neglect, in 2017 it was lovingly brought back to life by local volunteers, and is planted to attract pollinators to stimulate all five senses.
- Location: Cloth Fair Hidden Garden, beside No 43 Bartholomew Close, EC1A 7JN
Doddington and Rollo Community Roof Gardens
Locals use this community space to come together for social gatherings
On the roof of a former car park in the midst of a high-rise estate, you will find a hidden oasis of five ‘garden rooms,’ featuring decorative plants, edible crops, trees, a
- Location: Doddington and Rollo Community Roof Gardens, Battersea Park Road, SW11 5HD
Earls Court Square
A flourishing floral arch leads visitors through to an open central lawn
An award-winning Victorian garden laid out as part of the Edwardes Estate in the 1870s, this garden fell into disrepair after the Second World War but was rejuvenated by local residents in the mid 20th century, becoming a conservation area in the 1970s, and now encompasses a children’s play area in the main square.
- Location: Earls Court Square, SW5 9DG
Inner Temple Garden
A large walnut tree beautifully frames the view towards the main gates
This three-acre horticultural jewel has been cultivated since 1195, with deep herbaceous borders featuring vibrant displays of foxgloves, alliums and sweet rocket in June. The meadow thrives, with wildflowers,
- Location: Inner Temple Garden, Middle Temple Lane, EC4Y 7HL
The Ismaili Centre Roof Garden
An intricate central fountain provides a focal point for this rooftop hideaway
Sunset views from the rooftop provide a hint of the city skyline
This beautiful roof garden is a sanctuary of calm, set against the backdrop of a bustling city. It reflects motifs from Islamic architectural heritage and draws on the traditions of Muslim civilisations that have inspired outstanding buildings around the globe for centuries. The chaharbagh (four-part garden), delineated by a central fountain, draws inspiration from the Qur’anic imagery of the Garden of Paradise. It combines granite and greenery with geometry, symbolism and the sound and flow of water in a serene, sheltered yet welcoming open garden.
- Location: The Ismaili Centre Roof Garden, Thurloe Place, SW7 2SL
The Spurgeon Estate
Local residents maintain the garden to keep its seasonal colour blooming
Bought to life after 20 years in 2019 by a group of residents, this secret garden has enhanced the lives of residents and boosted wildlife in this inner-city location. There is a kitchen garden where residents grow herbs, berries and vegetables, and a woodland garden rich in wildflowers.
- Location: The Spurgeon Estate, Thorne Road, SW8 1UL
No. 10 Downing Street
A circular planted bed of blooms is framed by a lush archway
The angle of the patio contrasts the openness of the lush greenery
Constructed in 1736, the garden is dominated by an open lawn with rose beds commissioned by the late Baroness Thatcher and is home to a bronze sculpture by Barbara Hepworth. See behind the scenes of this well-known location and explore its half-acre site, with wildlife and sustainability at its core.
- Location: No. 10 Downing Street, SW1A 2AB
Please note: Check opening times with gardens before visiting.
The RHS is committed to ‘being more urban’ and helping those living and working in cities to enjoy gardening, whether by visiting an open space, cultivating a window box or greening up their back garden or balcony. London Parks and Gardens support and protect city green spaces throughout the year and profits from the weekend are being shared with participating community gardens.
