A detailed guide to spring in London: when and where to see spring flowers

The magic of spring in London cannot be overstated, and the season truly blesses us with a bounty: from snowdrops in February to June roses, there is constantly beauty to be seen. When do spring flowers bloom in London, and where are the best places to see them? I am deeply dedicated to enjoying every moment of English springtime, and over the years I have discovered the best places to see each type of spring flower, whether in London or within reach of the city. This detailed guide covers it all: daffodils, wisteria, tulips, cherry blossoms and more, in chronological order.

Spring in London: At a glance

February: snowdrops

March: daffodils, crocus, magnolia, camellias

April: tulips, cherry blossoms

May: bluebells, wisteria, rhododendrons, Chelsea in Bloom

June: roses


February: Snowdrops

field of snowdrops

Snowdrops are the first early sign of spring and a moment of hopeful renewal. They start blooming in late January and are at their best through February.

The best places in London to see snowdrops are Kew Gardens and Chelsea Physic Garden. If you’re able to take a day trip, Welford Park in Berkshire is home to the most stunning snowdrop wood.

If you’re looking for more snowdrops in London and South East England, you can find more information on my snowdrop guide.


March: Crocuses

purple crocus carpeting the lawn at ham house national trust richmond london

Crocuses start cheerfully peeking through nearly every London green space in late February, so you are bound to cross paths with a lovely purple or white surprise. But there are also a few places you can go to enjoy these early spring flowers.

The best, in my opinion, is Ham House. The lawn is completely carpeted with purple crocuses in early March. Hyde Park and St. James Park will also have beautiful swathes of crocuses to enjoy.



March: Daffodils

swathes of yellow daffodils in st james park london

Daffodils are such a cheerful sight in March. They’re available at the supermarkets from January onwards for £1 a bunch, so are constantly brightening up my flat. But once I start seeing them blooming in London parks, I am truly happy.

Visiting St. James’s Park to see the daffodils on a sunny day in mid-March is one of the best days of the year for me. The swathes of daffodils across the park feel like magical meadows, all featuring different varieties. If you visit towards the beginning of the season you will also be able to see crocuses; towards the end the cherry blossom may start peeking through. You’ll see daffodils in most London parks, but St. James’s is by far the best.

If you’re interested in a daffodil day trip, many National Trust houses have beautiful, extensive daffodil displays. I’d recommend Nymans, where you might see towering magnolia trees in bloom over a daffodil garden, and Cliveden House, where the daffodils seem endless.


March: Magnolias

pink magnolia tree in front of brick house london chiswick mall

Magnolia trees start brightening up London with their cheerful pink blossoms in March. The way the frame charming London houses is really special and one of my favourite things to photograph.

Walking along Chiswick Mall is a failsafe for seeing stunning magnolia trees. I also love the tree on The Boltons in Chelsea, which is also an excellent place to see cherry blossom.

Another great place to see magnolias is in Battersea Park, where visitors can stroll through the park and admire the beautiful blooms. Other places to see magnolias in London include Greenwich Park and the Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park.

pink magnolia framing entrance to white georgian house in chelsea the boltons
pink magnolia framing entrance to white georgian house in chelsea the boltons

March: Camellias

Camellias also bring a lot of joy in March as they start blooming in London’s front gardens.

Chiswick House has a special collection of camellias in their glasshouse, which on a sunny day feels like a little escape. Camellias used to be highly prized and thought to be delicate and therefore needed protection in glass houses. Turns out that they are pretty hardy, but the display in the glasshouse makes for a lovely display even on a cold day.

Another great place to see camellias is in the Chelsea Physic Garden, which has a wide variety of camellia species on display. Visitors can admire the plants in the garden's glasshouses or take a guided tour of the collection. Other popular places to see camellias in London include Kew Gardens and the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park. With their stunning colours and intricate blooms, camellias are a true highlight of the London springtime.


April: Tulips

pink tulips in full bloom at embankment gardens in london

Tulips are arguably my favourite spring flower. Something about formal tulip gardens just really makes my heart sing. While the Netherlands may be known as the ultimate place to see tulips, it’s really not necessary if you’re in England in April.

Many London parks will have beautiful displays of tulips. Embankment Gardens is particularly amazing, as is St. James’s Park towards Horse Guard’s Parade. Cannizaro Park in Wimbledon is a hidden gem with a formal tulip garden. Ham House’s kitchen garden also fills with tulips in late April.

Beyond London, there are some truly incredible places to see tulips. Within close reach in Surrey is Dunsborough Park, open for a few weeks for its tulip festival. Arundel Castle has an astounding display of tulips—I turned every corner gasping when I visited last year! If you’re going a but further afield, Iford Manor in Somerset is one of my most favourite gardens in the UK and has charming tulip gardens, alongside wild garlic blooming in the woods and incredible wisteria.

My full tulip guide will tell you everything you need to know:


April: Cherry blossom

pink cherry blossom tree in bloom in front of white georgian house london

I feel like cherry blossoms are an iconic London moment, but only last for a short while in mid to late April. Pink really suits London, and cherry blossoms tend to frame very charming houses across the city. My favourite place to see cherry blossoms is in Kensington and Chelsea. Some key streets for finding blossoms include:

  • The Boltons

  • Phillimore Gardens

  • Victoria Road

  • Gilston Road

  • Onslow Gardens

Wander around these streets and you’ll find even more lovely blossom roads.

In terms of gardens, one of the most popular places to see cherry blossoms in London is in Kew Gardens, which has a variety of cherry blossom trees, including the stunning Japanese cherry blossom. Visitors can stroll along the garden's Cherry Walk and enjoy the breathtaking views of the blossoms.

Other popular locations for cherry blossom viewing include Greenwich Park, St. James's Park, and Regent's Park, all of which have a wide variety of cherry blossom trees. Greenwich Park in particular has an iconic cherry blossom walk where the path is lined with blossom on either side.


May: Bluebells

bluebell wood with path winding to the left

Bluebells grow wild in woods, so admittedly there are not many places in London to see them. I’ve heard that Epping Forest is a good option, but I have never been as it’s across the city from me. Instead we drive outside of London to enjoy bluebell woods. I’ve seen many beautiful bluebell woods on country walks in Surrey and Sussex—you have a good chance of finding them on just about any woodland walk in early May.

There are some National Trust properties known for having beautiful bluebell woods. These include Emmetts Garden, Hatchlands Park and Greys Court which are all within day-trip distance from London.


May: Wisteria

brick house with pink door and wisteria framing windows

London’s wisteria season is a magical time and completely takes over Instagram in May—we are all devoted. Wisteria is a climbing vine that produces cascades of fragrant, lilac-coloured flowers in the spring, and it's a beautiful sight to behold.

London is home to several streets and neighbourhoods that are known for their wisteria displays, providing visitors with stunning photo opportunities and a chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature.

One of the most popular streets for wisteria viewing is Kynance Mews in Kensington, which is famous for its beautiful wisteria archway. Other popular spots include the wisteria tunnel in the secluded yet stunning St. John's Lodge Gardens in Regent's Park and the picturesque Bedford Gardens in Kensington, where the wisteria covers the houses and arches.

These areas can become busy, and I prefer a more secluded wisteria walk. My suggestions for the loveliest wisteria walks in London:

  • Strand on the Green

  • Kew Green

  • Chiswick Mall

  • Ham House and Richmond

  • Ham Common


End of May: Chelsea Flower Show and Chelsea and Belgravia in Bloom

flowers in front of red british postbox chelsea in bloom london

The famous Chelsea Flower Show is on at the end of May, where gardens seems to grow magically from the site and displays of cut flowers tempt gardeners. It’s a must-visit event for any garden lover, and you’re bound to get your fill of spring flowers while visiting. It can be super busy, so I suggest getting an evening ticket and arriving as the crowds are starting to leave.

Chelsea and Belgravia neighbourhoods join in the festivities around this time by decking out in live floral installations for Chelsea in Bloom. The festival typically has a theme each year, which inspires the installations and adds an element of creativity and fun to the event. Previous themes have included Under the Sea, Fairy Tales, and Floral Safari. The festival attracts a large number of visitors each year, as well as locals who come to enjoy the beautiful displays and take part in the festivities. This gets very busy, but is stunningly beautiful. Make sure to visit, perhaps towards the evening on a weekday.


May and June: Rhododendrons and azaleas

pink azalea blooming in isabella plantation richmond london

May is also prime time for rhododendrons and azaleas, and the time when one of London’s most magical places comes into full bloom.

Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park is like a realm all its own. Walking along the pink pathways is an otherworldly experience. I’m gushing, but I have the fondest memories of this place as one of the first dates I had with my now husband and I hope everyone else gets to experience it. The plantation, which covers around 40 acres, was established in the 1830s. The rhododendron collection in the plantation is particularly noteworthy, and visitors can enjoy seeing a range of different colors and varieties during the spring and early summer months. The blooms typically begin in late April and can last until June, depending on the weather.

Beyond London, many gardens will have fantastic rhododendron displays, but my favourite is Stourhead, a phenomenal house and parkland used in the Pride & Prejudice film.


June: Roses

And finally, the last beautiful flush of spring in London, it is time for rose season in June. Queen Mary’s Rose Garden in Regent’s Park is undoubtedly the best place in London to enjoy the roses. It is busy but simply wonderful.

London houses are also adorned with climbing roses during the month of May, and you’ll see plenty of this walking around London’s neighbourhoods.

Fenton House in Hampstead has a lovely June garden featuring roses, and there’s many charming houses in the area that are adorned with roses as well.

Polesden Lacey in Surrey has a phenomenal rose garden. Cliveden House is likewise known for its roses.

The best of all is Mottisfont in Hampshire. The rose garden is almost beyond belief in its beauty. Last year they were open late several evenings, meaning that the light was perfect for exploring and taking photographs.


Spring in London

From February to June, spring flowers parade through London in cheerful displays. If, like me, you have so much enthusiasm for spring gardens that you worry about missing out on each bloom, I hope that this guide will help you get your head round the sequence of blooming flowers in London throughout the spring season.

There’s plenty to see, but don’t worry — the best thing about London is that there is beauty in every corner, from the daffodils peeking out of the roadside barriers to the camellias spilling out of neighbourhood front gardens. Walking down any street in London is bound to lead you to some sort of small spring wonder.


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