After blossom and wisteria, London moves on to the next big botanical bloom — roses. In the capital rose season normally runs from mid-May through to August, with various colours and species flowering across London. I’ve spent a lot of time outdoors over the last few years exploring the city’s green spaces and trying to locate the best rose spots in the city. To share them with you, today I bring you The smell of roses guide to the best rose gardens and other rosy spots in London.

Welcome to my guide to where to see the best roses in bloom in London! What better way to spend a day than looking at roses? Luckily the rose season is at its height right now. So let’s make a start.

List of places to see roses in London:

  1. Queen Mary’s Rose Garden, Regent’s Park
  2. Hyde Park - Rose Garden
  3. Kew Gardens - Rose Garden
  4. Holland Park - Rose Garden
  5. Hampton Court Palace - Rose Garden
  6. Ranger’s House, Greenwich Park - Rose Garden
  7. St Paul’s Gardens
  8. Notting Hill
  9. Mapesbury Dell - Secret Rose Garden
  10. Leathermarket Gardens - Rose Garden
  11. Morden Hall Park -  Rose Garden
  12. Eltham Palace - Rose Garden
  13. Wimbledon Park - Rose Pergola
  14. Cannizaro Park - Rose Garden
  15. Hampstead Hill Gardens and Pergola
Best rose gardens in London, where to see roses in London, Rink roses at Queen Mary Rose garden

1.) Queen Mary’s Rose Garden, Regent’s Park

My place to go when I’m in Regent’s Park is Queen Mary’s Rose Garden, home to London’s largest collection of roses. Here you will find old fashioned scented roses, rambling roses and modern roses in borders, along trellises. Queen Mary’s Gardens was opened to the general public in 1932 and features more than 12,000 individual roses that lie in concentric circles bordered by rose-draped pergolas in a wonderful display of colour and fragrance. It’s worth visiting in late May and in June, as the peak season is fleeting.

‍

To find a list of all roses growing in the garden, click here.

Queen Mary's Garden, Regent's Park, London rose parks, roses in London
Queen Mary’s Rose Garden, Regent’s Park, Where to see roses in London

2.) The Rose Garden, Hyde Park

One of the most popular parks in London is Hyde Park. This park is big and beautiful, this rectangle of greenery is home to some of the city’s most attractive flower beds. However, since the park is so big lots of visitors miss its gem Hyde Park’s rose garden. Although its variety doesn’t compare to that of Regent’s Park, it’s hard to believe such a beautiful space can be found right in the city centre. It’s not just roses — other lovely plants are mixed in too. Throw in fountains, statues and a pergola and you’ve got a fantastic tranquil beauty, right in central London.

The Rose Garden, Hyde Park, London, Where to see roses in London, Best rose gardens in London
London rose gardens, where to see roses in London, pink roses London, garden roses in London parks
London rose gardens, where to see roses in London, violet roses London, garden roses in London parks

3.) Kew Gardens rose paradise

Kew Gardens is known as botanical heaven and has a rose named after it, so of course, it’s got plenty of roses lying around. You’ll find the main Rose Garden right behind the Palm House, the large conservatory overlooking a lake. There’s been a rose garden at Kew since the 1920s, but it’s been replanted and expanded in the last few years. So expect lots of modern David Austin roses. The gardens are also home to a rather gorgeous rose pergola that gets covered with lush rose bloom every summer which is located in the Woodland garden.

You can find more about the rose garden at Kew Gardens here.

London rose gardens, where to see roses in London, pink roses London, garden roses in London parks, David Austin roses in London gardens
Kew Gardens rose garden, Kew Gardens green house and peach rose, English roses, David Austin roses
London rose gardens, where to see roses in London, pink roses London, garden roses in London parks

4.) Holland Park rose garden

While this rose garden is less famous compared to the above-mentioned ones you may already know about it as I already posted an article about this location – check here for more detail. Head for the Orangery right in the centre of Holland Park to hunt down its rose goodness, which you’ll find between the cafe and the stable yard. This rose garden is small, with just nine flower beds, but they’re planted with precision, each species keeping itself to itself.

Holland Park - Rose Garden, Rose fairy, Fairy Rose, Perle Rose , Holland Park roses

5.) Hampton Court Palace

The rose garden is a fairly recent addition to the stunning Hampton Court Palace, in the past, the area was used as a kitchen garden. The beautiful scents and gorgeous colours are only enhanced by the royal backdrop. The Hampton Court gardens can be an exhausting excursion since it occupies 60 acres— but make sure the rose garden at Hampton Court Palace is on your route.

Rose garden at the Hampton Court Palace, where to see roses in london, best rose parks in London

6.) Ranger’s House, Greenwich Park

Not only is Ranger’s House the place to Instagram famous cherry blossom it’s also an excellent spot for a bit of rose appreciation. Greenwich Park's rose garden is located on the eastern side of the park and forms the backdrop to the Ranger’s House. The garden offering a sea of yellows, pinks, maroons and creams. Sure, it’s a bit of an uphill trek from the centre of Greenwich, but in the season there’s a satisfying symmetry about it which makes it all worth it.

The Rose Garden was originally planted in 1960-61. It was enlarged and replanted in 1993-1994 at which time it was enclosed on a yew hedge.

The beds are laid out in a semi-circular design and planted with predominantly hybrid tea and floribunda roses.

Ranger’s House, Greenwich Park, Rose garden
Ranger’s House, Greenwich Park, rose garden

‍

7.) St Paul’s Gardens

Take in the imposing cathedral from a bench in the surrounding gardens, which have a pretty rose garden and a range of interesting plants and trees including plane and walnut.

London rose gardens, where to see roses in London, pink roses London, garden roses in London parks, St Paul cathedral rose garden

8.) Notting Hill

If parks are not your cup of tea you can stroll in Notting Hill and appreciate roses growing in the front gardens.

Here you will be able to find communal gardens of the Ladbroke estate as well as a small rose garden dedicated to Doris Besant MBE.

London rose gardens, where to see roses in London, pink roses London, garden roses in London parks

9.) Mapesbury Dell –  London secret rose garden

The Dell is Northwest London’s best-kept secret. An award-winning park, it is the jewel in the heart of Mapesbury, a truly magical garden hidden behind a row of residential houses. Nestled between the houses of the Mapesbury Estate in Willesden Green, blink and you’ll miss Mapesbury Dell. Following a campaign run by local residents, it was transformed by the community from an underused green space into a park that can be enjoyed by everyone. There’s a children’s play area with a pirate ship, a pond and even the diamond jubilee rose garden! Once you have discovered it, you’ll keep coming back.

London rose gardens, where to see roses in London, pink roses London, garden roses in London parks, Mapesbury Dell rose garden, lush climbing rose
London rose gardens, where to see roses in London, pink roses London, garden roses in London parks, Mapesbury Dell rose garden
London rose gardens, where to see roses in London, pink roses London, garden roses in London parks, Mapesbury Dell rose garden
London rose gardens, where to see roses in London, pink roses London, garden roses in London parks, Mapesbury Dell rose garden
London rose gardens, where to see roses in London, pink roses London, garden roses in London parks, Mapesbury Dell rose garden
London rose gardens, where to see roses in London, pink roses London, garden roses in London parks, Mapesbury Dell rose garden

10.) Leathermarket Gardens

Leather Market Gardens is a vibrant and picturesque garden in London, located in the heart of Bermondsey. It features a beautiful rose garden with the iconic Shard in the background, providing a stunning backdrop for visitors. Just a few steps away, the vibrant Bermondsey Street offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes. The gardens are a great place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature in the city.

Laid out in the 1930s, the gardens are overlooked by flats from the same period. There is a rectangular sunken area with a formal layout of four large rose beds and an additional raised circular rose garden in the middle. The garden features over 20 varieties of various roses.

‍

Where to see roses in London, Leathermarket Gardens - rose garden, Photo of pink rose
Leathermarket Gardens - rose garden
Pink roses in Leathermarket Gardens with Shard on the background, Leathermarket Gardens - rose garden, where to see roses in London
Pink roses at the Leathermarket Gardens with Shard on the background

11.) Morden Hall Park Rose Garden

Morden Hall Park is part of the grounds of Morden Hall. Once a deer park, the estate was owned from mid 16th century to later 19th century by the Garth family, for whom the moated Morden Hall was built c.1750-65. From 1867 Gilliat Hatfeild began to purchase parts of the estate and created the park from lands surrounding the Hall. He made changes to Hall’s gardens including replacement of the boundaries to leave lawns sloping down to the moat but retained a fountain and formal walk. His son inherited the estate in 1906 and made few changes apart from planting a new rose garden. A philanthropist, he also allowed the Hall to be used as a convalescent home. In 1942 he left the park to the National Trust, which did not directly manage it until 1980. The park has survived largely intact and includes a number of historic buildings.

Read more about The Rose Garden at Morden Hall Park here.

Where to see roses in London, Morden Hall Park Rose Garden, Pink rose arch
Pink rose arch in the Morden Hall Park Rose Garden
Sign at the Morden Hall Park Rose Garden
Pink climing rose at the Morden Hall Park Rose Garden

12.) Rose Garden at Eltham Palace

Nestled in the southeast corner of London, England, within the regal confines of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, lies the expansive Eltham Palace and its historical gardens. This grand house is a harmonious blend of past and present, featuring the medieval great hall of a bygone royal residence, seamlessly extended in the 1930s with an Art Deco annex.

The gardens of Eltham Palace are a horticultural delight, with the Sunken Rose Garden being a standout feature. This garden is lovingly planted with fragrant hybrid musk roses, creating a sensory experience that is as pleasing to the nose as it is to the eyes.

Equally captivating is the Rock Garden, a tranquil oasis featuring a series of pools and cascades. This garden offers a serene escape, where the soothing sounds of water and the beauty of nature combine to create a truly enchanting environment.

Best places in London to see roses, Rose Garden at Eltham Palace

Conclusion

London is one of the most romantic cities in the world, and features many rose gardens. Whether you're looking for a botanical park or just want to enjoy the beauty of roses, there are plenty of places to see them in London. From the Royal Parks to the Chelsea Flower Show, this article lists some of the best places to see roses in London.

The Royal Parks are a great place to start your search for roses. Hyde Park, Regent's Park, and Greenwich Park all have beautiful rose gardens, with a variety of different species of roses. The gardens are open to the public and are a great place to take a romantic stroll.

The Chelsea Flower Show and Hampton Court Palace Flower Show are great places/events to see roses in London. These annual events showcase the best of British horticulture, and roses are always a highlight.

If you’re looking for something a bit more off the beaten path, you can also find roses in some of London’s hidden gardens. The Leathermarket Gardens in Southwark is home to a beautiful rose garden, and Notting Hill is a great place to see roses in an urban setting. No matter where you go, you’re sure to find some beautiful roses in London. Whether you’re looking for a romantic gesture or just want to enjoy the beauty of roses, these are some of the best places to see them in the city.