Today I want to bring you my guide to the best places to see magnolias in London. Every year in early spring London becomes a sea of pink and white. For several weeks, streets, parks, and gardens fill with the colors of these beautiful trees. I’ve spent years tracking down the prettiest among them, and now I want to share my favorite spots with you. I’ve included a map, too.
Magnolias in London
Magnolias have always been one of my favorite spring trees, not least because their petals take the place of leaves in spring. They cheer up the city after a long winter, and they bring much-needed color back to London.
They’re also harbingers of blooms to come. As the magnolias fade, the city’s cherry blossoms come into their own. They’re followed by wisteria, then summer roses, hollyhocks, and other seasonal buds.
Over the years I’ve discovered many magnolia trees in London, and I’ve become a bit obsessed with finding them each spring. I hope my guide helps you discover them, too.
When Do Magnolias Bloom in London?
The London magnolia season starts at a slightly different time each year. A lot depends on how cold the winter months preceding it are.
The pink petals usually come out in force around late February or early March. The buds take a couple weeks to fully develop, then stay in full bloom for another few weeks before fading and falling.
It’s a short season, so timing your viewing is key. Instagram and TikTok are good places to do your research, as there are lots of people sharing photos and videos of magnolias in London each spring.
Where to See Magnolias in London
So where are the best places to see magnolias in London? There are so many it’s hard to know where to start. They can be found throughout the city, from residential streets to big parks and spring gardens. Read on for my favorites.
1. Kensington
I discovered years ago that Kensington is one of the best places to see magnolias in London. I used to live in the area, and I loved taking walks each spring to spot the pink and white petals.
There’s no shortage of them to be found in Kensington, either. Launceston Place is always awash in pink, as are the streets around it. From Victoria Road to Eldon Road and Albert Place, there are trees all around.
In the northern part of the neighborhood, Hornton Street, Phillimore Gardens, Upper Phillimore Gardens, Campden Hill Road, and Argyll Road are the some of the best places to see magnolias in Kensington. There are even some on Kensington High Street.
And that’s to say nothing of Kensington Gardens. If you arrive via the Lancaster Gate entrance, you’ll find plenty of them.
You can see some of the best places for magnolias in the area on my free self-guided Kensington walk. If you follow the route, you’ll be able to take some of the prettiest trees.
2. Chelsea and South Kensington
Not far from Kensington, Chelsea and South Kensington are more of my favorite places to spot magnolias in London.
These areas are full of side streets lined with elegant houses and beautiful facades. The magnolias accent their beauty and add a nice splash of color.
There are plenty of them around, too. Green spaces like Ropers Gardens on the Chelsea Embankment fill with pink petals in spring. And that’s to say nothing of Sloane Square.
Just south of the King’s Road, there’s a famous one on the corner of Bramerton Street and Glebe Place. St Leonard’s Terrace has nice pink petals, too.
Just north of the King’s Road, there are magnolia trees on Mallord Street. And north of Fulham Road, you can spot them on Gilston Road, The Boltons, The Little Boltons, Harcourt Terrace, and Redcliffe Gardens.
You can see some of the best places for magnolias in these areas on my free self-guided Chelsea walk and my South Kensington walk. If you follow the routes in early spring, you’ll be able to see a lot of them.
3. Holland Park
Holland Park is another great place to see magnolias in London. This neighborhood is lovely at any time of year, but it really comes alive in spring.
Some of the best places to see magnolias in Holland Park are the streets around the park. From Oakwood Court to Portland Road and Addison Avenue, there are lots to be admired. And that’s to say nothing of the ones on Holland Park Avenue.
You can see some of the best places for magnolias in the area on my free self-guided Holland Park walk. If you follow the route, you’ll spot a lot of the prettiest petals in the area.
4. Earls Court
Earls Court is another of my favorite places to see magnolias in London. A lot of locals and visitors miss the ones here, but they’re worth seeking out.
Some of my favorites are the magnolias on Child’s Street. There are pastel facades and cheerful doors here that go perfectly with the pink petals.
There are more on Earls Court Gardens. I love photographing the giant one in front of the colorful houses here each spring.
5. Notting Hill
Notting Hill is another of the most popular places to see magnolias in London. This neighborhood is known for its pastel houses, and the magnolias provide the perfect accents to them.
Some of the best places to see magnolias in Notting Hill are the local streets and crescents. Lancaster Road, which is famous for its rainbow row of houses, has pink petals in spring.
Famous streets like Portobello Road and Westbourne Grove are also graced with them. And that’s to say nothing of the ones near Portobello Road like Elgin Crescent, Colville Gardens, and Denbigh Road.
Elsewhere, you can see pink petals on Landsdowne Road, Pembridge Square, and Kensington Park Road. And if you love a combination of pastel facades and magnolias, look no further than Hillgate Street.
You can do my free self-guided Notting Hill walk to take in the highlights. It will show you many of these streets and more.
Other Places
Beyond the 5 areas on my list, there are plenty of other places to see magnolias in London.
I love the ones in front of the pastel facades on Gloucester Avenue in Primrose Hill, the ones by the colorful doors on Grove Lane in Camberwell, the ones lining Dovercourt Road in Dulwich, and the stunning examples on Highgate Avenue in Highgate.
Then there are the ones by the city’s famous churches. The pretty ones framing St Mary le Strand church on the Strand are my favorites. There are also some around St Paul’s Cathedral, St James Garlickhythe, and St James’s Piccadilly.
And that’s to say nothing of the ones in the parks and gardens. From Regent’s Park to Kennington Park, Battersea Park, Gray’s Inn Gardens, Hampstead Heath, Exchange Square, Greenwich Park, Dulwich Park, St Mary Aldermanbury Garden, and Kew Gardens, there’s no shortage.
My favorites are the gigantic ones gracing the walled garden in Golders Hill Park in Golders Green. If you time it right, you can see them when the park’s famous tulips are blooming.
Map of Magnolias in London
As promised, I created an interactive Google map of magnolias in London. You can find it here. I hope it helps you plan a fun magnolia walk!
Magnolias in London
I hope this guide has inspired you to get out and see the magnolias in London when they bloom. It’s a magical time in the city, if a fleeting one!
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