Just in time for the first blooms of the summer season, London Open Gardens will be in full swing this weekend. More than 120 green spaces will unlock their gates for public viewing. In its 27th year, the event will take place on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June and will showcase gardens all across London.
If Chelsea Flower Show left you hankering for more horticultural indulgence, then the London Open Garden Market has arrived just in the nick of time. Our city is awash with green spaces, but often the finest displays of flora are hidden from view, kept under lock and key, or situated in obscure places like on the roofs of buildings. This weekend, however, rose gardens, hydrangea havens, community allotments, green rooftop spaces and so many more verdant verandas will open their gates to allow the public to come in and get a dose of natural beauty. The event really couldn't come at a better time too as the warmer weather has helped to bring so many beautiful flower varieties to bloom.
Due to the success of this unique event, it is no longer free. However, your ticket does give you access to an impressive roster of gardens over the weekend, although there are a few which require either a ballot entry or a booking. For green-fingered gardeners and plant enthusiasts alike, this is a great opportunity to take a look at a wide variety of gardens and appreciate the clever ways a small space can be turned into a much-needed green one. Much like a music festival, where you hop between tents looking for the next best act, this event gives you the opportunity to explore London by way of its treasured gardens.
Happily, tea, cakes and various other refreshments are available at many of the gardens, usually accompanied by a good bench or outdoor seating to settle down on. Some gardens even offer live music and the opportunity to buy produce, so it is worth planning your route to fit a couple of these in. The organisers recommend a couple of standout gardens to get you started, such as Battersea Roof Gardens, Earls Court Square and the gardens at Emery Walker's House.
Book your tickets here for the perfect weekend activity!