10 London’s Gardens you Need to Visit this Summer

Green open spaces, warm weather and a sandwich. If that’s not the perfect afternoon in London. Fortunately, the city has a lot to offer when it comes to parks and gardens to choose from. Take a look at which are best and where to plan your next walk at.

Thanks to Gardener Services London for helping me gather all the information about those gorgeous gardens.

Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens is arguably one of the most famous gardens in the world let alone London. Many thousands of visitors each year come to this World Heritage site located close to the centre of London. Founded in 1840 using the exotic garden that existed in Kew Park, Kew has become the world’s greatest collection of plants. With over 30,000 different plants on offer and a herbarium containing over 7 million dried specimens there is plenty for the visitor to see. Set in 121 hectares, a mix of glasshouses, gardens and many listed buildings, Kew Gardens definitely needs more than one visit to truly appreciate its magnificence.

Chelsea Physic

The Chelsea Physic Garden was established in 1673 to provide medicinal plants to the apothecaries of London. In terms of age it’s second only to the Botanic Gardens of Oxford University. Despite this the Chelsea Physic today still produces a healing effect. It may not be growing plants for remedies and tonics but a day spent here and you’ll definitely feel better for it. Weighing in with over 5000 different plants in only 4 acres of grounds this garden is packed with sights and smells. With many rare plants and one of the earliest rock gardens devoted to alpine plants, made from Icelandic volcanic rock, making this garden a must see.

Hampton Court Gardens

The royal palace of Hampton Court was originally built for Tomas Wolsey but after falling out of grace with Henry viii it was then taken into royal hands. With 26 hectares of gardens and over 304 hectares of parkland it takes a good days’ visit to see and be able to truly appreciate the unique displays of over 200,000 flowering bulbs, wonderful fountains and of course the maze. The great vine planted by ‘Capability Brown’, the Privy Garden and Tiltyard walls are all well worth the visit to this royal garden, one of the capitals iconic landmarks.

Kensington Roof Gardens

This roof garden is considered by many to be the best roof garden in the world, certainly in London. Having been planted some 75 years ago as a department stores’ coffee drinking area, it has grown to become one of London’s natural parks. Tended organically and with only 18 inches of soil this garden is a marvel with trees thriving and even reaching their true full grown sizes. If it wasn’t for the fact that you get a great skyline view of London you could be in any of the great parks. Many events are hosted here taking full advantage of the Italianate gardens, cloisters terraces and ponds making this garden a great venue.

Holland Park

With 50 acres of gardens created in the early 19th century by Lord Holland, boasting large formal borders mixed with much wilder areas, Holland park rates as one of the most relaxing spots in London. Wildlife thrives among the stunning selection of trees so much so that it seems beyond belief that you are in the heart of London. The attention to detail in the Kyoto garden is a credit to the gardeners. With children’s playgrounds and a good restaurant there is something for all the family.

Syon Park

Built in the 1500’s Syon Park is a historic house owned by the Duke of Northumberland. Containing a great hall styled as a Roman basilica and a bedroom that Queen Victoria used, the building is an interesting visit in its own right. Gardens styled by ‘Capability’ Brown and the Great Conservatory built in the 1820’s are the prize here. Set in 40 acres of ground sits a lake which is a beacon for wildlife, take a stroll and you will find a Doric column depicting Flora, Greek goddess of flowers. A beautiful rose garden and a world renowned collection of rare trees, Syon Park is a tranquil oasis in the bustle of London town.

Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park

If you have a couple days free visit Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park together. As they adjoin one another they can be seen as one great green space. 270 acres in Kensington gardens alone mean that a weekend is needed to really take it all in. Charles Bridgman is responsible for the current set out, containing an orangery with glorious decorations, Sir George Frampton’s statue of Peter Pan, a water garden with colourful borders and a recently restored Italian garden.

Chiswick House

Although maybe not one of the most famous gardens Chiswick House does have one of the most popular gardens in London, combining one of England’s architectural beauties with stunning landscapes. Italianate gardens transport the visitor to another world filled with temples, obelisks and statues all tucked away within the trees. Take a stroll along the Oriental Plane walk, a truly stunning avenue or wind your way around the lake to discover the cascade. With over 12 million pounds spent to restore the birth place of the English Landscape Movement a visit is a must for the true garden lover.

Regents Park

Although primarily a royal park opened to the public in 1838, the gardens of Regents Park are visited by thousands. The main attraction is Queen Mary’s rose garden, containing thousands of stunning roses, a large proportion blessed with perfumes to lift the lowest soul. This is all supplemented with herbaceous borders, fountains with tree lined avenues and a wildfowl haven in the shape of an ornamental lake. With London Zoo next to the park a family day out that everyone can enjoy is assured.

Chelsea Flower Show

Although not strictly a single garden and is only in existence 4 days of the year the Chelsea Flower Show has so many visitors is has to be included. Showcasing talent from around the world and producing some of the most inspiring gardening London has to offer. A magnificent day out for all.

LauraStone

50 People Who Took Their Family Photo Recreations To The Next Level

Looking at old family photos can be amusing – hairstyles of the 80s or fashion choices of the 90s never cease to put smiles on our faces. And although most people are glad mullets and JNCO jeans are a thing of the past, others boldly embrace their past blunders and make awesome recreations of their old family photos.

Bored Panda has compiled a list of the best family photo recreations that will inspire you to try it for yourself. Better start looking for those funky turtlenecks and denim jackets! Check out the pictures in the gallery below!

h/t

#1 Father, Daughter And Their Pets Recreate The Same Photo For 10 Years, Proving That Some Things Never Change

#2 Some Things Never Change

#3 My Husband Was 3 Months Old When His Father Was Killed In A Car Accident. As A Christmas Gift To His Grandmother This Year, We Recreated An Old Photo With Our New Son

#4 A Son Who Predicted He Would Follow In His Father’s Footsteps And Become A Police

#5 We Had To Put My Dog Of 16 Years Down Yesterday, But Before We Did We Recreated Our Favourite Photo With Him

#6 Me And My Great Uncle 24 Years Apart

#7 Off To Pre-K With My Grandmother. 19 Years Later, Off To Graduate School

#8 Two Brothers Return To Their Abandoned Car In Pripyat

#9 My Son And I Planted Our Faces On A Copier, Then And Now

#10 35 Years Later…

#11 Happy Easter From My Family To Yours

#12 Nearly 30 Years Elapsed. Just Before My Retirement, We Re-Created My Favorite Photo Of My Oldest Son And I…

#13 Back To The Beach

#14 My Mom Hasn’t Aged Since 1988

#15 Brothers In A Bathtub. 20 Years Apart

#16 My Dad At 29, Me At 2 Weeks (My Dad’s First). Me At 29, My Boy At 2 Weeks (My First)

#17 My Cousin Offered Me A Memory For Christmas. She Bought All The Accessories To Recreate This Moment, From 2002 To 2017

#18 21 Years Later

#19 Me And My Sister 20 Years Apart. 1998 – 2018. My Parents Are Hilarious Humans

#20 30 Years And Beards

#21 My Wife And Her Pupper 30 Years Ago, And Our Daughter And Her Pupper

#22 Exactly 20 Years Later, We Went Back To The Same Photographer To Surprise Our Parents With A Gift

#23 At Age 4, I Whispered Sweet Nothings Into Her Ear. 24 Years Later, We’re Getting Married

#24 Sleeping Beauty

#25 My Dad And Brother Recreated This Photo 26 Years Later

#26 Christmas 1984 To Christmas 2012. The Only Thing That Has Changed Is My Choice Of Bottled Beverage

#27 Recreated My First Halloween 21 Years Later

#28 My Dad And I 13 Years Apart

#29 We Gave It Our Best…

#30 Father’s Day Wouldn’t Be Complete Without Our Annual Tradition Of Remaking This 1968 Photo Of Dad And Me On His First Motorcycle

#31 Siblings, 26 Years Apart (Perth, Western Australia)

#32 Started In The Backpack Now I’m Here… With My Son… 34 Years Later

#33 My Brothers And I Decided To Recreate Our Mother’s Favorite Photo Of Us For Mother’s Day – 20 Years Apart

#34 Sisters, 15 Years Apart

#35 Dad Still Knows How To Relax After 30 Years

#36 August 2002 – August 2015

#37 Recreation Of Bride’s Childhood Family Photo At Her Wedding

#38 Birthday With The Bro! But Mine Started 8 Minutes Ago

#39 Me And My Bros

#40 From The Beginning, He’s Always Been Giving Me A Helping Hand. 23 Years Later, I’ve Graduated From College And He’s Still There For Me When I Need Him

#41 Being Able To Finally Recreate This Photo Has Been One Of My Proudest Achievements. The University Graduations Of My Mother And I

#42 My Father And I In 1980, And My Son And I In 2018

#43 A Surprise For Our Mom 20 Years Later

#44 So My Dad And I Went To Disneyland To Recreate A Favorite Family Photo

#45 Testing Our Mobility 20 Years Later

#46 23 Years

#47 Father And Son, The Very First And Last Space Shuttle Launch, 30 Years Apart

#48 25 Years Later

#49 Nailed It 15 Years Later!

#50 22 Years Later. Took A Ton Of Effort To Pull This One Off. Trying To Find All The Right Clothes, Including A No Fear Shirt

Aušrys Uptas

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