There are plenty of incredible city parks to go and find a square foot of grass to lie on for a few hours.
However, if breathing space is more your thing and you crave both beauty and tranquility, you might want to consider some of London’s most hidden and romantic treasures but shhhh, these are just between you and us..
Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Hospital Road, SW3 4HS;
Founded in 1673, Chelsea Physic Garden is said to be the second oldest botanical garden in Britain. This park is a favourite with the Chelsea celebs who head there for a little peace and quiet and it is home to 500 different plants and herbs, many of which are rare or endangered. Make sure you head to the Tangerine Dream café for tea and cake.
Phoenix Garden, 21 Stacey Street, WC2H 8EG;
London parks don’t get more central than Phoenix Garden. Tucked behind the junction of Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue, this little gem is the perfect place to get away from it all. Originally a World War II bombsite, then a car park, it’s not as pretty as some others but if Soho Square and Golden Square are packed to the hilt, you’ll be guaranteed to find some privacy here…
Kyoto Gardens at Holland Park, Ilchester Place, W8 6LU;
An oasis of tranquility within Holland Park, Kyoto Gardens is the perfect spot for a long and lazy picnic. The gardens are particularly special and were originally laid out by specialists who were flown in from Japan. There are feature ponds filled with carp, a waterfall and hundreds of Japanese trees. In fact, it’s so lovely, perhaps we should keep it to ourselves…
Geffrye Museum Garden, Kingsland Road, E2 8EA;
Just as the museum’s rooms trace the development of the British interior style over the years, so do the garden when it comes to planting styles in the period garden rooms. An afternoon looking at the museum and its garden could be top date.
St John’s Lodge in Regent’s Park, Regent’s Park, NW1 4NR
Regent’s Park is always heaving with people, kids, bikes and dogs so for a more relaxing date, head to the inner circle where the garden attached to St John’s Lodge is located. The lodge belongs to the Sultan of Brunei but the garden – aptly named the ‘secret garden’ is open to the public to enjoy, so sneak behind the half-open gate and enjoy…
Can you share any other similar locations? Go on, we won’t tell anyone….
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