Stepping into Autumn: Enjoy Some of London’s Secret Gardens
Who doesn’t love a good park stroll, no matter what time of year (as long as it’s not raining!)? But while spring and summer might get most of the attention when it comes to heading out into our great outdoors, there is certainly something to be said for the orange foliage and crisp air of Autumn – and here in London, we have a huge range of options for enjoying nature. So, we’re sharing some of our favourite “hidden” gems to help you enjoy the Autumn months with a relaxed stroll or, if you’re lucky, even a picnic! Let’s take a look…
1. Kyoto Garden, Holland Park
Holland Park welcomed the Kyoto Garden back in 1991 to commemorate Great Britain’s relationship with Japan. As a gift from the city of Kyoto, the garden brings all the beauty of Japanese landscape design to the capital, boasting authentic ponds with koi, a waterfall, and traditional stone lanterns, as well as an array of trees and plants native to the Northeast Asian island nation.
It offers a tranquil escape from the busy streets of West London (though it can get busy at weekends!). The flora on display in this little corner of Holland Park include Japanese Maple, which explode into fiery foliage in the Autumn months.
2. The Isabella Plantation
Richmond Park in the London borough of Richmond-upon-Thames is by far the largest park in the capital. Tucked away within the vast area of national wildlife conservation, the Isabella Plantation is a favourite for many locals and visitors to London.
The stunning 40 acre woodland garden is set within a Victorian plantation that was first established in the 1830s. It opened ints gates to the public in 1953 and is now home to streams and ponds which weave their way through a vast array of flora, including Rhodedendron, Magnolia, Camellia, and evergreen azaleas.
3. Bonnington Square Gardens
The Bonnington Square Gardens were designed by a team of local residents and architects, and were built on ground damaged during the Second World War. They have been managed by the Bonningto Square Garden Association since 1993, when a long lease was granted for the space by Lambeth Council.
The gardens take design inspiration from the larger and more well-known nearby Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. The appeal of this small but tranquil outdoor space is its representation of community and neighbourhood spirit. It offers a peaceful refuge for people to relax and observe nature as the seasons change.
4. Culpeper Community Garden
Culpeper Community Garden is another community-run green space that has become ons of the most valued public areas in the inner-city area of Islington. Having started out as an initiative to develop a derelict site into a space that for local children to enjoy nature and learn about gardening, the garden is now described as ‘Islington’s green oasis’.
The organic space has lots to offer in all seasons. It boasts a variety of water features, and a collection of stunning plants which have become home to some native wildlife, from hedgehogs and frogs to foxes!
5. York House Gardens
The gardens at York House date back to the 18th century and have become famous for their array of interesting features. Many of these features date back to the York House’s ownership by Indian industrialist Sir Ratan Tata, including a sunken lawn. Other features of these stunning gardens in Twickenham include a fountain featuring a statue of a sea nymph and a restored Japanese garden.
In 2012, York House Gardens was awarded Gold Gilt in the Park of the Year category at the London in Bloom awards, and it is easy to see why. These historic gardens are the perfect place for a leisurely stroll if you find yourself in the area this Autumn!
London is a fantastic city visit at any time of the year. Of course, enjoying the sights is much more enjoyable without having to worry about glasses or contact lenses! Get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators or Book a Consultation today to learn more about our Laser Eye Surgery treatments to get the most of this year’s Autumnal days out.