Open Garden Squares Weekend 2019

We're not short of green spaces in London town – we have more than any other European capital. But some gardens are kept under lock and key – most of the time. Seize your chance this June to explore London's secret gardens as part of Open Garden Squares Weekend 2019, organised by the London Parks and Gardens Trust.

For one weekend only, more than 100 gardens will be unlocked for Londoners to snoop around. Organisers have taken onboard previous feedback to make the annual event better than ever. This year, there will be a smaller, more selective range of gardens on display, all of which will be in central London to reduce travel time for guests. The gardens take in all sorts of spaces, from traditional garden squares and roof terraces to allotments and historic gardens of London's schools, shops and cafes. There will also be a selection of 'star' community gardens on display – these showcase how working together can create and nurture unusual green spaces in your local area.

Highlights include the Islamic gardens at the Aga Khan Centre King's Cross, where the variety of contemporary landscaped spaces reveal the diversity of Islamic cultures around the world. Or view London from up high with a visit to the Cannon Bridge House Roof Gardens. From here, you can gaze out over renowned city landmarks such as Tower Bridge and St Paul's Cathedral.

New for Open Garden Squares Weekend 2019 is The Passage, an ornamental kitchen roof garden located in The Passage Resource Centre, Victoria. Highlights of this garden, designed by BBC Gardener’s World presenter Adam Frost, include a tree of remembrance wall sculpture. And, of course, many firm favourites return for another year; these include the best-rated garden of 2018, Nomura International PLC.

Event highlights

Throughout the weekend, many participating gardens will host free talks, walks, activities, food tastings, workshops, and cycle rides as well as many events organised for children.

Family-friendly! Meet Jess French and make a bird feeder

Oasis Farm, 18 Carlisle Lane, Lambeth, London SE1 7LG, 8 June, 12:00

Young, budding naturalists will have the exciting opportunity to meet vet, explorer and CBeebies presenter Jess French as she discusses how you can attract more wildlife into gardens and presents her latest children’s book How to Help a Hedgehog and Protect a Polar Bear.

National Youth Jazz Orchestra

The Phoenix Garden, 21 Stacey Street, London WC2H 8DG, 9 June, 13:00, 13.45, 14.30

Enjoy the sounds of brass amongst the botanicals with live performances from the best of London’s young jazz musicians.

Croquet and Cocktails

Royal Crescent Garden, 171-199 Holland Park Ave, Notting Hill, London W11 4UL, 8 – 9 June, 11:00 – 17:00

Nevern Square, SW5 - 8 – 9 June, 12:00 – 17:00

Inner Temple Garden, Temple, London EC4Y 9AY, 9 June - 13:00 – 17:00

There's perhaps no other combination which best encapsulates British summer. Spread across three leafy locations, this event invites you to try you hand at the quirky garden sport and enjoy an outdoor tipple.

Poetry Quarter

9 June

In partnership with The Poetry School, Open Garden Squares are putting on a Sunday Poetry Quarter in four London squares: Bryanston Square hosts author Meryl Pugh; Montagu Square hosts poet and naturalist; Anna Selby, Portman Square hosts poet and composer Jade Cuttle, and Manchester Square Gardens hosts Will Burns and illustrator Jess White.

There will also be a chance to pick up some new green companions at the various plant sales across participating gardens, including: Fulham Palace, Meadows Allotments, Gloucester Square Residents’ Gardens, John Betts House, Alara Permaculture Forest Garden, St Mary’s Secret Garden, Sir John Cass’s Foundation Primary School, South London Botanical Institute and Walworth Garden.