Over the last few months, we have all spent more time at home than ever before, some of us may have been lucky enough to have an outside space or garden to enjoy. London is not short of green spaces as it is one of the most verdant capital cities in the world and we are pleased to share with you some of the wonderful green and picturesque locations currently open for us all to escape within and enjoy their beauty:
Syon Park is the spectacular London home of the Duke of Northumberland. Syon House was built in the sixteenth century on the site of the Medieval Syon Abbey and came to the family of the present owners in 1594.
Its tranquil gardens feature a lake unique, stunning Great Conservatory, a rich variety of special and unique habitats and plants - and an arboretum with over 400 different types of trees.
Syon Park is pleased to announce that this haven of calms – the Gardens and the - Great Conservatory will be open from Wednesdays to Sundays for pre-booked ticket holders.
Please note that the house is currently closed due to the covid-19 crisis. https://www.kxtickets.com/whats-on/syon-park-gardens
For information on holding future events at Syon Park please contact the events team events@syonpark.co.uk
On 18th June Hampton Court Palace re-opened its gardens and outdoor spaces for the first time since lockdown began in March.
Visitors to the gardens are able to take in the Tudor and Baroque architecture of the palace itself as the courtyards are open to offer access to the spectacular formal gardens. The Palace is set within 100 acres of stunning gardens and grounds, which have been lovingly tended to by a team of dedicated gardeners for the past few months.
Not only will a visit present a rare opportunity to enjoy the gardens in unspoilt glory, but an exciting new sculpture trail has also been installed in the gardens for families to follow. Featuring a host of characters from history, the trail will bring to life the story of the palace and its remarkable residents in the comfort of the great outdoors!
The Palace has installed a raft of new measures to help visitors feel safe and comfortable when they visit, including hand sanitiser dispensers, enhanced cleaning, and clear guidance on social distancing. Visitors are asked to book in advance, to help Historic Royal Palaces manage capacity on site, so visitors can enjoy their time at court with plenty of space.
Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that cares for Hampton Court Palace, is hoping visitors will show their support for its national treasures by returning for a visit this Summer. The charity is dependent on income from visitors, events and membership and is facing a £95 million shortfall in its finances following the Coronavirus pandemic. The return of visitors will make a vital contribution to the charity’s work caring for Hampton Court Palace and sharing its stories with the public.
Support Historic Royal Palaces by:
For more information on holding future events at Hampton Court Palace please contact the events team hamptoncourtpalaceevents@hrp.org.uk
Chiswick House is an 18th century villa set in classically landscaped gardens in West London. It is a calm and beautiful oasis for visitors to admire the fragrant formal gardens, venture in the woodland wilderness or simply relax on the open lawns. The different areas of interest make the grounds attractive to families, dog walkers or those that simply wish to admire the gardens in bloom.
The grounds have remained safely open throughout this current period and become a welcome escape for many looking for exercise, fresh air and mental wellbeing. Chiswick House have used a phased approach to reopening its facilities and is now able to provide refreshments from its Café and vintage ice cream van. Furthermore, visitors are welcome to picnic in many of the wide, open areas.
Chiswick House is a special place of tranquillity and beauty that is open to be enjoyed by all and welcomes new and old visitors.
For information on holding future events at Chiswick House & Gardens please contact the events team events@chgt.org.uk
The Royal Horticultural Society
Following the latest Government advice, visitors can now once again enjoy all of the Royal Horticultural Society’s gardens, the closest to London being Wisley in Surrey by pre-booking a timed slot via the website.
The Gardens are open from 9.40am – 4pm, Monday to Sunday and all ask visitors to adhere to the guidelines stated on the website and at each venue to ensure the safety of visitors and staff alike. Delicious takeaway food is available as are various toilet facilities ensuring everyone can enjoy a wonderful and relaxing day out in these inspiring, beautiful gardens.
To meet current guidelines, it is advised that households stay together and remain 2 metres apart from those not in the same household. Some features and facilities may not be open as social distancing cannot properly be maintained, however there is plenty on offer for everyone to enjoy.
This marks the first step for the business in opening the venues according to Health & Safety covid protocols with plans being devised on the Halls opening safely for events in the not too distant future.
For information on holding future events at the Royal Horticultural halls please contact the events team horthalls@rhs.org.uk
Horniman Museum and Gardens, Forest Hill
Although the museum remains closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Horniman Gardens have been open throughout, offering much-needed green space for local people to enjoy.
There have been public gardens at the Horniman since the museum opened in 1901. They now span 16.5 acres, with everything from open parkland and a woodland Nature Trail, to the formally-planted Arts and Crafts-style Sunken Garden and display gardens featuring planting linked to the museum’s collections.
Visitors can enjoy socially-distanced picnics under shady trees, admire hilltop views of central London and soak up some sun in the Grasslands Garden, which recreates North American prairie and South African grassland landscapes.
The Horniman Gardens are open 7.15am-sunset, Monday to Saturday, and 8am-sunset on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Café kiosks are open for snacks, ice-cream and drinks, and the toilets are also open. Visitors are asked to adhere to social distancing guidelines at all times.
For information on holding future events at Horniman Museum and Gardens please contact the events team venuehire@horniman.ac.uk.
After successfully reopening its gardens at Kew Gardens on 1 June, RBG Kew is now delighted to announce the reopening of its iconic structures that have remained closed to the public under government guidance.
From Saturday 4 July, the jewels in Kew Gardens’ crown, its world-famous glasshouses, will open their doors once more and welcome visitors to step inside and explore the botanical treasures hidden within. Highlights include the Palm House, Temperate House, Waterlily House, and the Princess of Wales Conservatory. The Hive, the much-loved installation that recreates life inside a beehive, will also reopen. Limited routes and one-way systems will ensure visitors and staff remain safe.
Kew Gardens has been gradually opening shopping spaces to visitors in the past few weeks, and this will continue to expand in July, alongside the reopening of restaurants and cafés at both sites in a way that conforms with government guidance and is practical to implement. The Children’s Garden and art galleries will not be reopening at this time, but this will follow in due course.
Richard Barley, Director of Horticulture, Learning and Operations at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew said:
“We are delighted that after a smooth reopening of the outdoor spaces on June 1st, we can now offer the full RBG Kew experience to our visitors and members as government guidance allows us to safely reopen our beautiful glasshouses and other indoor spaces. We have systems to ensure a safe and welcoming experience for people of all ages. We can’t wait to invite visitors to make the most of our UNESCO World Heritage site and unrivalled plant collections by journeying around the world, within the safety of our walls. Given many holiday plans are on hold, we want to offer visitors a chance to experience the next best thing; to discover the beauty and diversity of the earth’s flora, including some of my favourite spots at Kew such as the exquisitely fragrant Rose Garden and the Agius Evolution Garden.”
Please note, visitors, including Members, must pre-book timed entry slots online via the website www.kew.org.
For information on holding future events at Kew Gardens please contact the events team venues@kew.org