Spring in London
Ham House and Garden
Mosey through the meadow and then soak up spring sights around the gardens, or simply breathe in the scent of fresh wisteria along the walls of the Kitchen Garden and Orangery Café.
Osterley Park and House
Scented blooms fill the air as spring arrives at Osterley Park and House where rich aromas are accompanied by swathes of bright yellow daffodils. See cheerful cherry blossom line the Winter Garden as primroses poke through by the Temple of Pan.
Rainham Hall
Crocuses and daffodils provide early colour to garden, a sign of warmer weather to come. As spring progresses, spot fluffy cloud of blossom in the orchard. Apple, pear, plum and quince trees burst into flower, bringing splashes of colour and a delicate fragrance to the garden.
Runnymede
Spot fluffy goslings bobbing along the Thames at Runnymede during spring along with colourful splashes of bluebells in Coopers Hill Woods. Bring the whole family along and make the most of warmer days with a refreshing walk.
Morden Hall Park
Spot delicate snowdrops early in the year scattered under the trees at Morden Hall Park. As the weather gets warmer daffodils start to pop up too. Later on horse chestnut and hawthorn blossom appears, the perfect opportunity for spring photography.
Fenton House and Garden
Wander into the walled garden at Fenton House and find a sumptuous display of soft blossoms in the orchard. With the grass left to grow longer a meadow of seasonal wild flowers immerge accompanied by 2000 white hyacinths. Later on in the season the wisteria flowers, with its soft pastel colour and profusion of flowers.
Summer in London
Red House
Daylilies and phlomis bring colour to the summer boarders at Red House as climbing roses clothe the house itself. Enjoy a sheltered walk among soft pinks and reds in the rose arch before settling down for a picnic as William Morris and his family would have done in the orchard.
Runnymede
Spot colourful dragonflies and damselflies whizzing by on a wander through the meadows at Runnymede during summer. Grasses and wildflowers grow long giving the meadows a hazy colour, perfect for keen photographers. There are plenty of shady patches to enjoy under the trees of Coopers Hill Woods and the cafe will be on hand with cooling treats.
Fenton House and Garden
Contrasting colours combine to create a vibrant display in the lawn boarder at Fenton House and Garden during the summer months. In the North Terrace cosmos and salvia stretch to impressive heights whilst in the Kitchen Garden and orchard the serious business of growing begins.
Ham House and Garden
Wander the formal gardens, walled kitchen garden and relax in an environment filled with plants from the time of the Duchess of Lauderdale.
Rainham Hall
Settle in to the sculpted amphitheatre and enjoy the sunshine as coral and ‘plum pudding’ poppies will emerge in the newly seeded wildflower meadow. See dragonflies and cinnabar moths move from the meadow to the mixed perennial boarder with its vibrant summer display.
Osterley Park and House
The formal gardens at Osterley Park and House offer a relaxing retreat from urban life with herbaceous borders, roses and ornamental vegetables beds. Look out for the original Robert Adam summer house full of lemon trees and highly scented shrubs then take a break on the deckchairs on the temple lawn or a picnic in the ancient meadow, bursting with wildflowers and butterflies.
Autumn in London
Runnymede
Explore this wide open countryside space, wandering through historic meadows and crunching along leaf littered woodland paths. Bring your dog too, they'll be welcome across the whole site. The ground can be muddy during the colder months, wellies or sturdy shoes are best.
Morden Hall Park
Watch as the light glimmers off golden leaves during an autumn walk at Morden Hall Park. The park's iron bridges offer somewhere to stop and savour the seasonal sights before tucking into something warm in the Potting Shed Café.
Rainham Hall
Stop by Rainham Hall’s community garden, a tucked away treasure of nearly three-acres. The garden is accessible with sloping gravel paths, lawns and a small orchard with apples, plums, mulberry and pear trees. It’s free to enter too.
Ham House and Garden
Escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy some autumnal fresh air at Ham House. There's a riot of colour in the Kitchen Garden where a huge variety of vegetables are ready to harvest and burnished tones of red and gold all around the riverside estate.
Winter in London
Ham House and Garden
Savour the winter scenery as you saunter through Ham House and Garden. See how the Cherry Garden gleams after a light dusting of frost and warm up with a seasonal snack at the Orangery cafe.
Osterley Park and House
The ever-evolving Winter Garden at Osterley provides bursts of coloured bark, fabulous leaf shapes and seed heads to spot, with snowdrops appearing during the early months of the year too. Perfect for a winter adventure with the family.
Morden Hall Park
Peaceful frosty mornings in the park are the perfect antidote to a busy day in south London. Explore the wide open spaces of the South Park or head to the wetlands to spot winter birds before warming up with hot drinks from the Potting Shed café.
Rainham Hall
The garden at Rainham Hall is a continuous community project featuring a wildlife-friendly woodland and several natural play features for children too. In winter as the trees turn bare the low winter sun opens up beautiful views towards the house. And if you’re visiting in late January you’ll spot small patches of snowdrops bringing a welcome splash of bright white colour to the garden. If you'd like to visit the house too, please book your ticktes via their website.
Runnymede
Blow away the cobwebs with a bracing walk through the meadows at Runnymede this winter. The Magna Carta tea-room will be on hand with hot drinks to warm up chilly hands. Snowdrops arrive in late January, tucked away under the trees in Coopers Hill Woods, an early sign of spring on the horizon.
