Lavender amongst the box hedges in the Cherry Garden at Ham House in Richmond — Aromatic lavender in the Cherry Garden at Ham House in Richmond | © Chris Davies

Gardens and parks in London

From a myriad of roses at Morden Hall Park to over 1,200 colourful lavender plants in full bloom at Ham House, National Trust gardens across London are filled with colour throughout the summer.

As the heat turns up in London, National Trust gardens across the capital burst into bloom with colourful displays and heady scents. From the aromatic haze of purple lavender at Ham House in Richmond to the sizzling late summer perennial border at Osterley Park and House featuring salvias, crocosmia and gladiolus and the intimate walled garden at Fenton House in Hampstead.

The walled kitchen garden, with an arched doorway, with lavender and marigolds in flower

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Things to see and do in the garden at Ham House

The Cherry Garden bursts into flower during June and July, with over 1,200 lavender plants flowering, bringing vibrant colour and delicate fragrance to the garden. The Kitchen Garden is in full flow at this time of year too. Carrots, beetroot, broad beans and spinach nestle amongst rarer varieties including including salsify, skirret and scorzonera, keeping the garden true to its 17th century origins. The produce is used in the Orangery Café, sold in veg bags or donated to the Richmond Food Bank.

Visitor exploring the Walled Garden at Osterley Park and House, London

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The garden at Osterley Park

Mrs Child’s Flower Garden is in full bloom during summer, with a colourful display of flowerbeds radiating out from the Garden House. Flowerbeds are filled with campanulas, sisyrinchiums, lupins, geraniums and peonies, contrasted by taller plants and shrubs, making it a real summer highlight. And you can spot lemons growing in the Garden House, too, echoing Mrs Child’s original planting scheme.

Visitors in the garden at Fenton House, London

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Explore the garden at Fenton House

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

Children looking at roses in the Rose Garden in June at Morden Hall Park, London

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Morden Hall Park

Spot 40 different varieties of rose in the garden, with soft pastel shade of pink and yellow and bright white blossom to spot between May and late summer. Each has its own unique name, with varieties including Rosa Macmillan Nurse and Rosa The Fairy.

Mum and two small children walking toward large willow sculptures in meadow at Runnymede

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Runnymede and Ankerwycke

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.

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Rainham Hall

Drop by this free Community Garden during summer and treat yourself to a peaceful walk along meandering borders, filled with colourful mixed perennials including alliums, vinca and euphorbia. The herb garden spiral will be flourishing, and the kitchen garden will be coming to life, filled with tomatoes, peas, globe artichoke, kale, chard, salad, carrots, beetroot and potatoes.

An image of the imposing red brick facade of Red House in London showing its north front with arched entrance way and windows surrounded by gardens

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Red House

Daylilies and phlomis bring colour to the summer borders at Red House as climbing roses cover the house itself. Enjoy a sheltered walks 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