Travel with Me to: London Gardens

Travel With Me to:

London Gardens

Feelings felt: peaceful, in awe

Springtime in London is incredible! I started noticing fragrances during my strolls and capturing photos shortly after arriving mid-February. Now in late May, gorgeous spaces await around every corner. A few famous (and not-so-famous) spots I’ve enjoyed:

Kew Royal Botanic Gardens

The Fulbright Commission treated grantees to a morning at Kew, now a Unesco World Heritage Site. Wow! Glass conservatories, an alpine house, a former palace, a “stinky corpse” flower, and even a carnivorous plants zone offer delights for all botanical interests. Honestly, there’s too much on offer to list, but here’s a peek over the central greens:

Info: https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens

Sky Garden*

This lush garden sits rather unexpectedly atop a sleek, glass skyscraper (nicknamed the "Walkie Talkie"), providing 360° views over London. Head to the exterior observation deck for fantastic views of Tower Bridge, the Shard, and the River Thames. Wander back inside and further upstairs for more sights -– including a unique birds’ eye peek over the walls of Tower of London. Wrap-up with a cocktail or bite near your favorite vantage point; dining packages are available, but I opted for an inexpensive & quick lunch from the observation-deck bar. (Touristy: yes. Obviously.)

While entry is free, guests must have tickets. I advise booking in advance, as walk-up tickets aren’t always available. Since I was alone during my impromptu visit, the guard let me join the closed standby queue, where the wait time was over an hour. If you can’t get in and are looking for an alternative (albeit less dramatic) option, The Garden at 120 is just a bit further up the street.

Info: Sky Garden, 20 Fenchurch Street, London, https://skygarden.london/

*There are actually several public rooftop gardens around. Another one I enjoy is Crossrail Place Garden at Canary Wharf. It’s less crowded and doesn’t require tickets. An added bonus is the massive outdoor art & architecture walk along the wharf. Visitors can download a guide with maps and artworks info.

Info: Crossrail Garden, Canary Wharf Estate, London, https://canarywharf.com:

Regent’s Park & Queen Mary’s Roses

I pass by this huge, well-known park each time I ride a bus to campus, but I’m embarrassed to say it took nearly 4 months for me to visit. My timing was perfect, however, because I hit the rose gardens in their full glory!

I picked up a gorgeous cheese box “for one” from Grape & Fig and also opted to have a chilled rosé packed inside -– the whole setup cost only £20 and was perfectly-suited for a little picnic break during my workday!

If you want to see the roses, late May is ideal. Outside of the May-June window, visitors still have plenty of options for passing an afternoon here, including the London Zoo, walking paths, playgrounds, and cafés.

Info: https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/regents-park-primrose-hill

Chelsea in Bloom Flower Walk

The Chelsea Flower Show is world-renowned… but it comes with a price. With actual tickets running hundreds of pounds and selling out far in advance, many people opt to watch BBC tv coverage instead. But there is another alternative worth considering — the Chelsea in Bloom Flower Walk.

Guests can stroll through this free trail at their leisure... it runs during the entire show week (and, in fact, extends an extra day). Literally hundreds of merchants, libraries, and hotels participate in the event, spanning down King Street and into surrounding blocks. Print a map and hop on the Tube to Sloane Square.

The first stop for my Sunday morning visit: Buns From Home, to pick up a banana-walnut roll and cappuccino and enjoy an alfresco breakfast next to this incredible installation!

Next: a stroll down King Street, shopping a bit along the way. Vendors were offering show-related gifts with purchase as cute mementos from the day.

Click here for my expanded video walking tour.

This year’s show took place during the worst May heat wave in history, which made me doubly glad that I’d opted for a casual morning at my own pace instead of ticketed events. As the heat of the day set in, I tucked into less-crowded side streets to enjoy limeade with fresh fruit before heading to the countryside for the afternoon.

Info: https://www.chelseainbloom.co.uk/

Pocket Gardens

There are thousands of spaces in bloom smattered about London! Whilst grand parks can afford extensive displays, I’m drawn to smaller ones. They offer quaint settings to read, study, or relax for a bit. A notable few:

• Paddington Green: this shady, unpretentious spot not far from my neighborhood is the perfect place to read a chapter or two over coffee.
• Churchyards: my favorite sits in Notting Hill Gate, but so many are appealing! Take time to meander through their walled courtyards, cemeteries, and cloisters. Oftentimes, churches themselves are unlocked for prayer or reflection.

• Russell Square: technically, this one is pretty famous! It has a Tube stop named after it, after all. ;) But I consider the square one of my “local” spots, as it sits at the doorstep of my university building and is a meet-up spot for colleagues. Tip: enjoy a gelato on a fountainside bench.
• Mount Street Gardens sits right in the middle of the hustle & bustle of an area famous for high-dollar (high-pound?!) boutiques and flashy supercars; the lovely little courtyard, however, offers respite from it all.
• Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Garden: At one corner of Kensington Palace sits a peaceful spot dedicated to the beloved princess. You do not need a palace ticket to stroll through; in fact, you can even pop into the adjacent palace café for refreshments without a ticket.
• Window Boxes, Fenceposts, Walls: SO many residences, hotels, even walkways are adorned with flowers, just spilling over and beckoning pedestrians to stop for a moment to enjoy their beauty. And I always do!

I hope you’ve enjoyed these London floral strolls with me! 💖🌷

⭐️ June Bonus: Mottisfont Walled Gardens

OK, so this choice is *not* in London..! But I had to go back and edit the post to share a few photos from Mottisfont, after a June visit. The walled gardens are possibly the finest I’ve seen. Stunning!

Mottisfont was a medieval abbey that became a private residence after Henry VIII’s falling-out with the Catholic Church. I’ll share more in an upcoming post about National Trust properties.

Info: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/hampshire/mottisfont