Written by Amanda David
Tokyo may be the OG capital city for peak cherry blossom (aka sakura) viewing but if your budget is less airline and more Jubilee Line, we’ve got good news; you don’t have to leave London to see some incredible cherry blossom displays.
When is cherry blossom season in London?
That’s a hard one to answer, as the season varies each year depending on the weather; basically the colder it is, the later the trees will blossom. Cherry blossom season is typically some time between late March and early May, with some of the areas listed tending to burst into bloom earlier than others. The good news is that, as the flowers only last a week or two once out, the naturally staggered start means you should be able to nail that perfect picnic, romantic stroll or Instagram selfie. Best advice? Follow the hashtag #cherryblossom and wait for your feed to turn pink.
Where can I see cherry blossom in London?
Parks and gardens
Greenwich Park
Probably the most spectacular display of cherry blossom in London, and certainly one of the most popular, is in Greenwich Park. Go past the Royal Observatory and follow Blackheath Avenue through the park; before you get to the cricket pitch there is a path off to the right that goes towards Ranger’s House and the rose garden. Get your timing right and this avenue is transformed into a breathtaking Japanese-style tunnel of Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’ pom-pom cherry blossom, with the picturesque Georgian villa in the background.
As with all the really popular spots, getting there early is your best chance of a decent photo without the crowds. We recommend chilling out with a book or playlist on one of the lovely old park benches beneath the extravagant blooms and watching the petals fall gently around you like confetti. Mesmerising.
Kensington Gardens
Start at the Lancaster Gate entrance where you will be greeted by an exuberant profusion of pink and white petals, then walk down to the Albert Memorial for more cherry blossom tree action on the East Albert lawn. You can download a map from the Royal Parks website.
Regent’s Park
There’s an avenue lined with beautiful cherry blossom in Regent’s Park, along Chester Road, which may be marginally less crowded than Greenwich Park. The original trees (Prunus ‘Kanzan’) became diseased and were removed in 2019 but have been replaced with the lovely Prunus ‘Sunset Boulevard’ variety, so expect a towering pink and white dappled display. Carry on to the south end of Avenue Gardens near the Broad Walk for a little group of trees sporting the prettiest pink blossoms.
Kyoto Garden in Holland Park
This Japanese-style garden was a gift from Kyoto’s Chamber of Commerce in 1991. It’s a wonderfully tranquil spot with a koi carp pond, stone lanterns, bridge and small waterfall, made even more beautiful and serene by a backdrop of delicate pink cherry blossom. It’s quite a small area and can quickly fill up with visitors, so again we recommend getting there early.
Kew Gardens
If you’re really serious about your sakura then it’s worth heading just outside of London to Kew Gardens. Start at the rose garden behind the Palm House and head towards the Temperate House, and Cherry Walk. This path is lined with 15 cherry trees of different varieties, including the Japanese cherry (Prunus ‘Serrulata’), Yoshino cherry (Prunus ‘x yedoensis’), Sargent’s cherry (Prunus ‘Sargentii’), Geraldine (Prunus ‘Asano’) and the native wild cherry (Prunus ‘Avium’).
If you carry on past the Temperate House, there is also a beautiful great white cherry (Prunus ‘Taihaku’) next to the Japanese Gateway not far from the pagoda. You can download a map from their website to help you find your way around.
Alexandra Park
Ally Pally Park is known for its fabulous panoramic views over London. Couple this with a line of slender cherry trees in blossom, and it’s pretty much unbeatable.
Mount Street Gardens, Mayfair
This small public garden has a row of benches right underneath a mature tree. If you’re lucky enough to work locally, ditch the idea of lunch al desko and instead dine underneath a cloud of delicate pink cherry blossom.
St James’s Park
Buckingham Palace’s local park has a modest display of cherry blossom if you’re in the area. There are a couple near Storey’s Gate, the Blue Bridge and around the lake, including some white-flowering trees; if you go to the Buckingham Palace end of the park and face the Horse Guards, there’s a very pretty view of the eastern side of the lake with cherry trees alongside the water.
Tavistock Square
For a calmer and more contemplative cherry blossom experience, head to Tavistock Square. Hidden away behind the bustle of Bloomsbury, this tranquil public garden known as the International Square of Peace contains a cherry tree planted in memory of the victims of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima. You can also see a statue of Mahatma Gandhi and a monument to conscientious objectors, as well as a bust of local resident and famous author Virginia Woolf.
Pancras Square
There may only be a couple of cherry blossom trees in the square but they make a very welcome contrast to the corporate concrete and glass surroundings. A relaxing spot to sit and just take a break from the pace of city life for a while.
London landmarks
Hoping to get an iconic shot of London as well as picture-perfect cherry blossom? Try these instantly recognisable London landmarks.
St Paul’s Cathedral
Head round to the south of the Cathedral, to St Paul’s Churchyard, where you will find a tree with perfect pink cherry blossom conveniently placed for a 2-for-1 Instagram hit of historic London and spectacular springtime. To be fair, it’s a very cool shot, particularly if you’re lucky enough to have a clear blue sky in the background.
The Victoria & Albert Museum
The Yalta Memorial Garden is a tiny park between the V&A and Thurloe Square Gardens with a couple of cherry trees. When in blossom, they provide a lovely contrast to the historic building, and a very arty London photo op.
Battersea Power Station
In Battersea Park the aptly-named Spring Tree Walk and Cherry Tree Avenue are your go-to spots for a sakura stroll. The long avenue of delicate palest pink blossom is picturesque enough but you can add a touch of local colour to your selfie with the famous Battersea Power Station chimneys in the background.
Fun fact: the trees lining Cherry Tree Avenue are the Yoshino variety (Prunus ‘x yedoensis’) that grow wild on the hillsides of Nara, Japan, and were donated by the province’s governor and the order of monks who maintain the Peace Pagoda.
Residential areas
There are several otherwise ordinary residential roads in London that suddenly burst into blossom come spring. We’ve listed a couple for you here but remember, please respect the fact that these are people’s homes – however beautiful their streets or gardens.
Stanley Crescent, Notting Hill
Stanley Crescent is London’s favourite cherry blossom spot. The elegant sweeping curve of the cream wall and the imposing houses provide a perfect Insta-friendly backdrop to the palest pink blossoms – plus there is no parking allowed on that corner, so no pesky cars to spoil the shot.
Courtfield Gardens, South Kensington
At the corner of Courtfield Gardens and Collingham Road there’s a cherry blossom tree planted at the basement level, meaning the blossoms should be just about perfect selfie height.
Blithefield Street, Kensington
Another street with a beautiful background to complete your springtime in London look. A line of pastel houses complete with picturesque shutters and decorative little wrought-iron balconies provide the finishing touch.
Redcliffe Road, Chelsea
Cherry blossom trees line both sides of the road in this rom-com ready setting, with elegant townhouses in the background. All that’s missing is Hugh Grant, endearingly dishevelled and wearing a linen jacket, looking posh and perplexed.
Winterbrook Road, Herne Hill
Beautiful Yoshino trees create a delicate pastel avenue of the palest blossom, transforming this residential street for a few magical weeks every year.
Vallance Road, Whitechapel
A small area of grass at the junction with Durward Street is planted with several cherry blossom trees, adding a springtime freshness to an otherwise decidedly urban setting.
Swiss Cottage station
There is a path lined with white cherry blossom trees next to Swiss Cottage station, which is handy if you’re a local and want to get your fix of nature’s bounty on your daily commute, but apparently this year the building works will still be under way and so the area will be fenced off. One for next year’s list.
Looking for more flower-themed fun? Check out our tips on where to see bluebells in London, or if you’d rather eat what you find then our guide to foraging throughout the year is for you.
