10 Secret Gardens In London To Cool Off In

Think you’ve uncovered the entirety of London‘s green spaces? Think again. Steer clear of the crowds and travel to one of London’s secret gardens. From a rooftop vegetable plot to a former parish church, here’s our pick of the best – just don’t tell anyone.

London’s Best Secret Gardens 2024

St Mary’s Secret Garden

A community garden in Hackney, St Mary’s Secret Garden has been blooming for more than 25 years, inviting locals to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of gardening. Amongst an array of plant life, you’ll find a tranquil pond, wildflower meadow and beehives in the garden woodland.

Find it: 50 Pearson St, Hackney. stmaryssecretgarden.org.uk

The Garden At 120

OK, ‘secret’ is generous – but The Garden At 120 is infinitely quieter than its Fenchurch Street neighbour, the Sky Garden. Here, feel the breeze in your hair in the open air, and feel smack bang in the middle of it all, with skyscapers shooting up all around you. If you manage to get up there during a weekday, you’ll find one of London’s most tranquil, sky high spots.

Find it: 120 Fenchurch St, London EC3M 5BA. thegardenat120.com

(c) Getty

Kyoto Garden

You’ll find this Japanese-inspired oasis located within Kensington’s Holland Park. Surrounding Holland House, the tranquil garden transports visitors to East Asia with its pretty waterfall, stone lanterns and Japanese plants. You’ll even find peacocks wandering through the greenery.

Find it: Holland Park, Holland Park Ave, Kensington. rbkc.gov.uk

Kennington Park Flower Garden

Kennington Park is a beautiful swathe of green grass, with plenty of trees to sprawl under when the sun gets too scorching hot. It’s a real draw for dog owners and families, but nestled beside the tennis courts is a secret flower garden with blooming flowers, a water features and a sundial. Dating back to 1931, the garden was recently restored by the Friends of Kennington Park, reopening the oasis in the middle of the city’s urban bustle back in 2015.

Find it: Kennington Park, London SE11 4BE. kenningtonpark.org

(c) Getty

St Dunstan In The East

Less secret since its appearance on TikTok, Saint Dunstan in the East is a former parish church torn down by the Second World War, which has been transformed by nature into a flourishing garden with plants and vines sweeping the church ruins. Hidden within the City of London, you’ll find this pocket of greenery located between London Bridge and the Tower of London.

Find it: St Dunstan’s Hill, London. cityoflondon.gov.uk

Brockwell Park Walled Garden

Hidden in the sprawling south London Brockwell Park is the lush walled garden complete with fragrant herbs, shrubs, vegetable plots and beautiful blooms. It’s a quintessential English country garden hidden in the city, offering a dose of colour amid the swathes of green in the rest of the park.

Find it: Brockwell Park Gardens, London SE24 9BN

(c) Unsplash

The Hill Garden & Pergola

What was once the private garden of an impressive Hampstead manor house is now a paradisiacal plot available for all to enjoy. Overrun with greenery, wisteria weaves amongst the property ruins and pergola. Influencers take note: this one is popular on Instagram.

Find it: The Pergola, Inverforth Close, London. cityoflondon.gov.uk

Chelsea Physic Garden

Dating back to 1673, Chelsea Physic is London’s oldest botanic garden. Nestled alongside the River Thames, the garden is home to an impressive 5,000 functional plants. Explore The Garden of Medicinal Plants, discover an array of rare species in the Atlantic Islands Border or take to the Pond Rockery (supposedly the oldest in Europe) and be sure to indulge a spot of ‘garden antipasti’ at the Physic Garden Café.

Find it: 66 Royal Hospital Rd, Chelsea. chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk

(c) Veerle Evens

The Culpeper’s Rooftop Garden

One certainly doesn’t expect to find a secret garden occupying the roof of a London pub, but The Culpeper begs to differ. The Spitalfields pub’s 1,400 square foot rooftop garden is filled with growing vegetables, herbs and greenery which provides the kitchen with a variety of homegrown produce – plus, the perfect spot to enjoy a pint or two.

Find it: 40 Commercial St, Spitalfields. theculpeper.com

(c) Getty

St Paul’s Church Gardens

No, not that one. While St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden is instantly recognisable, most don’t know about its adjoining ‘secret’ garden, a peaceful hideaway at the heart of the West End.

Find it: Bedford St, Covent Garden. actorschurch.org