Inside London’s secret urban gardens

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. These green lungs improve the air we breathe and add value to our lives, culture and nature.

Horticultural havens

On Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June 2026, more than 120 secret or usually closed gardens across 12 London boroughs will open exclusively for the London Open Gardens event to support London Parks and Garden’s (LPG) work protecting city parks. Here’s your chance to uncover some of the city’s lesser-known horticultural highlights, among hidden squares, rooftop spaces, community gardens and re-wilded areas that aren’t usually open to the public.

See below for how RHS Members and friends can enjoy these gems with an exclusive RHS offer – available only when booking a standard adult weekend ticket on the official Eventbrite ticket site*.

Battersea Roof Gardens

© Aaron Hargreaves, Foster and Partners

Perennial planting changes seasonally, creating a vibrant backdrop to the neighbouring station

One of London’s largest residential rooftop gardens, spanning 29,000ft² and planted with 23,000 plants and 55 trees, Battersea Roof Gardens offers inspiring views of the adjacent Grade II-listed Power Station and London skyline.

• Entrance: Beechmore House Concierge, Battersea Power Station, SW11 8BT
• Open: 10am – 5pm, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June 2026
• Please note: Balloted entry exclusively for London Open Garden ticket holders – see website for more details

Marlborough House

© Gavin Gardiner

A sheltered area is planted with shrubs from South Africa, New Zealand and Australia

Formerly a grand town mansion built to a design by Sir Christopher Wren in 1711, Marlborough House became the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat in 1959. Much of the original garden survives and Marlborough House, located just off The Mall, is largely maintained in its 18th century layout.

• Entrance: Marlborough Road, SW1Y 5HX
• Open: 10am – 5pm, Saturday 6 June 2026

30 Cannon Street

© Romulus UK

This is an example of the high-level urban greening projects in the Square Mile

Short-listed for a RIBA London award, this impressive triangle-shaped roof garden has captivating views of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Square Mile, London and beyond. The garden at 30 Cannon Street comprises a mix of shrubs, perennials, grasses and

These are fleshy, rounded, underground storage organs, usually sold and planted while dormant. Examples include daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, lilies, onions and garlic. The term is often used to cover other underground storage organs, including corms, tubers and rhizomes.

• Entrance: Bread Street, EC4M 6XD
• Open: 10am – 3pm, Saturday 6 June 2026
• Please note: Additional booking required – see website for more details

The Sanctuary Garden at Freedom from Torture

© Britt Willoughby Dyer

A communal bread oven brings survivors together, and sculptural streams of willow  provide an organic place of refuge

© Britt Willoughby Dyer

Plants that may evoke happier homeland memories are featured, such as fig, pomegranate and the strawberry tree

An RHS Silver-medal winner at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024, The Sanctuary Garden at Freedom from Torture was then relocated to Finsbury Park where it is being used for horticultural and other therapies for survivors of torture.

• Entrance: 111 Isledon Road, N7 7JW
• Open: 9.30am – 6pm, Saturday 6 June 2026

Barbican Wildlife Garden

© Nicholas Petridis

Rich planting in the garden helps encourage wildlife and biodiversity

Devoted to enhancing

The variety of living organisms (plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms) in a particular environment. Boosting the biodiversity of your garden has many benefits, including supporting wildlife, improving soil health and reducing the likelihood of pest and disease problems.

• Entrance: Fann Street, EC2Y 8BR
• Open: 11am – 4pm, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June 2026

Cloth Fair Hidden Garden

© Bernadette Skehan

Behind St Bartholomew’s provides the perfect hiding spot for some downtime

© Bernadette Skehan

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.

• Entrance: Beside No 43 Bartholomew Close, EC1A 7JN
• Open: 10am – 4.30pm, Saturday 6 June and 12noon – 4pm, Sunday 7 June 2026

Doddington and Rollo Community Roof Gardens

© Anna Barclay

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

Composting is the process by which plant material is heaped together to rot (decompose) to produce compost. Garden or kitchen waste can be broken down over time in a compost bin or heap to produce crumbly organic matter that can be used as a mulch, soil conditioner and a constituent of potting compost.

• Entrance: Up the stairs at the end of Charlotte Despard Avenue, across the square behind Tesco on Battersea Park Road, SW11 5HD
• Open: 10.30am – 4pm, Saturday 6 June 2026

Earls Court Square

© J W Gillgrass

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, Earls Court Square 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.

• Entrance: North side of square, SW5 9DG
• Open: 10am – 5pm, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June 2026

The Ismaili Centre Roof Garden

© The Ismaili Centre, London

An intricate central fountain provides a focal point for this rooftop hideaway

© The Ismaili Centre, London

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.

• Entrance: Thurloe Place, SW7 2SL
• Open: 10am – 3.30pm (last entry 3pm), Sunday 7 June 2026

London Open Gardens event 2026

On Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June 2026, you can satisfy your curiosity and get a glimpse into these urban, hidden gems. The London Open Gardens event has cherished and supported London’s secret gardens for over 25 years. A free printable map will be available online approximately six weeks prior to the event, to help you plan your weekend. It will also be available to pick up during the weekend at participating gardens.

*Tickets are made available through Eventbrite on behalf of London Parks and Gardens. When booking tickets online, you are leaving the RHS website, and all bookings will be subject to both London Parks and Gardens and Eventbrite’s terms and conditions and privacy policy.

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.
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