9 Of London’s Best Rooftop Gardens

23rd April 2024

Mary Mary, how does your garden grow? 100ft above Canary Wharf, that’s where! Because these aren’t your common garden variety gardens, but rather sky gardens, roof gardens, the hanging gardens of London. Think that gardens are boring? Think again – London is blooming with rooftop gardens filled with greenery and some of the best views in the capital. 

Here are a selection of gardens that we highly recommend you visit this weekend… 

 

Sky Garden

At the top of any rooftop garden list, this cavernous aircraft hanger of a greenhouse is perched atop 20 Fenchurch Street. The space offers 360 degrees views of the capital, complete with observation decks and an open-air terrace.

The venue features an array of restaurants and regular events, and a view that never fails to wow.

Sky Garden, 20 Fenchurch Street, EC3M 8AF
www.skygarden.london

 

Crossrail Place Roof Garden

Crossrail is famous for being decidedly under the ground, hewn from the London stone by giant diggers. But when it hits Canary Wharf the above-ground station also boasts an even above-ground roof garden and it’s splendid.

The 300 metre garden is fully enclosed, has palm trees growing like it’s the jungle, an oasis in the concrete jungle.

 Crossrail Place, Canary Wharf, E14 5AB
 www.canarywharf.com

 

Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden

Another reminder of a time when concrete poured more than the London rain is the Southbank, but on top of the Queen Elizabeth Hall you’ll find an unexpected garden that’ll have you whipping out a picnic rug and staking out a claim for the afternoon as you relax in the summer’s rays.

It’s home to over 200 wild native plants, luscious lawns and views across London. There’s even a cafe and bar atop too.

South Bank Centre, Belvedere Road, Lambeth, SE1 8X
 www.southbankcentre.co.uk

 

Fen Court

Set on top of 120 Fenchurch Street, the development is 15 floors above the street and the 2,800 square metre roof garden is fully open to the public.

There’s plenty to see from climbing trees and wisteria blossoms to soaring views across the capital.

120 Fenchurch Street, The City, EC3M 5BA
www.thegardenat120.com

 

Aga Khan Centre Islamic Gardens

The Aga Khan Centre in King’s Cross features a series of interlinked and stunning rooftop gardens. The Islamic Gardens each echo Islamic architectural and garden styles and represent how diverse Muslim culture is across the globe.

They’re also serenely peaceful and ideal for meditating and reflecting. Open to the public for tours, the gardens are a good place to learn a little more about Islamic culture.

10 Handyside Street, Kings Cross, N1C 4DN
 www.agakhancentre.org.uk

 

Kew Gardens Aerial Walkway

Mention gardens and London in the same sentence and you’ll instantly think of Kew Gardens.

The Royal Botanic Gardens in South West London is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of London’s best days out. While most of the garden action takes place where plants naturally grow, on the ground, Kew Garden’s aerial walkway takes you to where they reach. That is 100ft in the air as you walk along the trees and enjoy from an entirely new perspective.

The magical experience is a chance to enjoy the majesty of nature, and the genius of Kew.

Richmond, TW9 3AB
 www.kew.org

 

Barbican Beech Gardens

The Barbican isn’t just a brutalist high-rise conglomeration, it’s also ideal for a stroll in the meadow.

Beech Gardens, on top of part of the Barbican complex is a key section of this piece of 1960s social and practical engineering and there are few places better to take a book and relax on a summer’s day. And then maybe catch a play or an exhibition at The Barbican itself.

Where: Silk Street, Barbican, EC2Y 8DS

 

Coq d’Argent

Bank Station can get really intolerable at times, with all the bankers fighting to hit the Northern Line at rush hour.

But go up a few levels, and suddenly all that pales into insignificance, because you’re transported to a garden paradise that is Coq d’Argent’s garden. Stroll on the lawn with a glass of wine, or Pimm’s, in hand and admire the view as if you weren’t in the most densely populated square mile in London.

 No 1 Poultry, Poultry, EC2R 8EJ
 www.coqdargent.co.uk

 

Culpeper Roof Garden

The Culpeper is a smart East End pub, with all the hipster amenities you’d expect, like craft beers, distressed furniture, a smart b&b and, of course, a roof garden up on top. The rustic surroundings of a greenhouse and planters is ideal for a Sunday afternoon watching the clouds go past.

 40 Commercial Street, Spitalfields, E1 6LP
 www.theculpeper.com

love a rooftop? check out these rooftop bars 


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