Today I want to bring you my guide to the best places to see cherry blossoms in London. Every spring the UK capital becomes a sea of pink flowers. For several weeks, streets, parks, and gardens fill with the delicate petals of these pretty trees. I’ve spent many seasons seeking out the best in the city, and now I want to share my top picks with you. I’ve included an interactive map as well.
Cherry Blossoms in London
Cherry trees have always been one of my favorite things about spring in London. From pale pink petals to cheerful pom poms, I love them in all their forms. They brighten up the city as winter gives way to the warmer months, and they bring life and color back to the streets and parks.
Along with magnolias, they’re also promises of blooms to come. As the cherry blossoms fade, the city’s wisteria comes into its own. It’s followed by summer roses, hollyhocks, and other seasonal flowers.
Over the years I’ve discovered many places to find cherry blossoms in London, and I’ve become a bit single-minded about finding them each spring. I hope this A Lady in London guide helps you discover the best of them, too.
When Can You See Cherry Blossoms in London?
The start of the London cherry blossom season varies by year. It’s dependent on how cold the winter months preceding it are. It also depends on the type of cherry tree. London has a number of them, including Japanese varieties like Fugenzo, Kwanzan, and Hatazakura.
The small pink flowers are usually out in numbers by mid-March (sometimes even February) or early April. They stay in full bloom for two to three weeks before fading and falling. The pom poms come slightly later and bloom for around the same time.
It’s a short growing season, so timing your viewing is crucial. Instagram and TikTok are good places to do your research, as lots of people post photos and videos of cherry blossoms in London each spring.
Where to See Cherry Trees in London
So where are the best places to see cherry trees in London? They can be found throughout the city, from residential streets to spring gardens and royal parks. Read on for my favorites.
1. Greenwich Park
Of all the places to see cherry blossoms in London, Greenwich Park is the most famous. People flock here every April to see the pink pom poms. It’s one of the most photographed seasonal blooms in the city, and it’s worth a special trip.
To see them, walk up the hill in Greenwich Park, pass the Royal Observatory, and follow Blackheath Avenue. You’ll find them on a footpath on your right that branches off towards the Rose Garden and Ranger’s House (search for “Greenwich Park Cherry Blossom” on Google Maps or see my map below for the location).
The cherry trees lean into each other along this path, creating a pink blossom tunnel that’s perfect for photos (get here at sunrise if you want to take pictures with no people in them).
There are benches here, too, and the expansive grass lawns on either side make for popular picnic areas. They’re wonderful on warm spring afternoons.
If you want to see these trees and more, you can follow the route of my free self-guided Greenwich walk. It will take you around the neighborhood, into the park, and beyond.
2. St Paul’s Cathedral
Another of my favorite places to see cherry blossoms in London is St Paul’s Cathedral. This London landmark provides the perfect domed backdrop in spring, and people come from all over to admire it.
You can find the pink flowers in Carter Lane Gardens on a street called St Paul’s Churchyard. It’s south of the cathedral at the start the path that leads to the Millennium Bridge and Tate Modern.
If you line up your shot, you can get a photo or video of the blossoms framing the dome of St Paul’s. It’s a classic London spring capture.
You can see these blossoms and others on my free self-guided walk in the City of London. If you follow the route and map, you’ll spot pink petals and more.
3. Holland Park
Holland Park is another great place to see cherry blossoms in London. This green space is lovely at any time of year, but it really comes alive in spring.
The main event here is the Kyoto Garden. This Japanese-style green space bursts into life as the cherry blossoms bloom. With the backdrop of the pond, fountain, and peacocks, it’s hard to beat for aesthetics.
If you’re here in April, don’t miss the spectacular tulip gardens in Holland Park. They’re near the Kyoto Garden, and they’re full of life and color each year.
You can see both gardens on my free self-guided Holland Park walk. If you follow the route, you’ll spot a lot of the prettiest petals in the green space and surrounding area.
4. Regent’s Park
Next on my list is Regent’s Park. This famous Royal Park is one of the best places to see everything from spring cherry blossoms to summer roses.
There are a few good places to spot pink petals in Regent’s Park. There are trees by Chester Road, and other cherry blossoms in the Avenue Gardens by the Broad Walk. More can be spotted near the English Gardens and Queen Mary’s Gardens.
As with Greenwich Park, this is a popular place to capture photos and videos in spring. If you want to have the place to yourself, try to get here as early in the day as you can.
5. Kew Gardens
Another famous place to spot cherry blossoms in London is Kew Gardens. The Royal Botanic Gardens are famous for all kinds of spring blooms, and there’s no shortage of pink petals here in spring.
You can see some in the Rose Garden behind the iconic Palm House. From there you can follow the path around until it becomes Cherry Walk. The section between King William’s Temple and the Temperate House is lined with deep pink cherry blossoms. Magnolias bloom here, too.
There are other cherry blossoms in Kew Gardens as well. One of the joys of visiting is wandering around and coming upon them by chance.
For something unique, time your visit to coincide with Sounds of Blossom. Running from March 15th to April 6, 2025, this event will bring the spring blooms to life as students from the Royal College of Music play new compositions in the blossom hotspots. Tickets are included with entry to Kew Gardens. You can book here.
6. St James’s Park
One of my favorite places to see cherry blossoms in central London is St James’s Park. This famous green space sits right in front of Buckingham Palace, and there are spring blooms galore here.
From crocuses to daffodils and cherry trees, St James’s Park is a riot of color at the beginning of each year. If you want to see the best pink petals, head to the south side of the lake between the bridge and the playground.
Another of my favorite trees is the one at the west end of the lake near the palace. If you face towards Horse Guards Parade, it frames the water beautifully.
You can see the blossoms in St James’s Park and more on my London park walks. They’ll take you around the most famous green spaces in the city and show you the seasonal blooms.
7. Peckham Rye Park & Dulwich Park
Some of my favorite local places to see cherry blossoms are the parks in Peckham and Dulwich. These south east London areas are both home to an abundance of flora, and the pink petals are a highlight.
The southern end of Peckham Rye Park has beautiful pom poms each spring. There’s one tree I particularly love that arcs over the water near the Sexby Garden. It creates an enchanting scene when it blooms.
While you’re in the area, it’s worth strolling over to Dulwich to see the cherry trees in Dulwich Park. There are beautiful ones that bloom along Carriage Drive on the west side of the green space near the boating lake.
You can see them and others in the neighborhood on my free self-guided Dulwich walk. It will take you through the area’s pretty streets and parks so you can soak up the seasonal blooms.
Other Places
Beyond the areas on my list, there are plenty of other places to see cherry blossoms in London.
Highlights in London’s parks include the Spring Tree Walk in Battersea Park, the main avenue in Burgess Park in Camberwell, the areas around the Lancaster Gate entrance and Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens, the Yalta Memorial Garden by the V&A in South Kensington, Ravenscourt Park, Canbury Gardens in Kingston-upon-Thames, Aldgate Square in the City of London, and St Paul’s Green in Hammersmith.
Highlights in London’s gardens include Barkston Gardens in Earls Court, Colebrooke Row Gardens in Angel, Mount Street Gardens in Mayfair, and the London Blossom Garden in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford.
Highlights on London’s streets include Grove Lane in Denmark Hill, Stanley Crescent and Portobello Road in Notting Hill, Redcliffe Road in Chelsea, Courtfield Gardens in Earls Court, Blithfield Street in Kensington, Chalcot Square in Primrose Hill, Tower Bridge Road in London Bridge, and Stradella Road and Winterbrook Road in Herne Hill.
Other spots include Swiss Cottage Library, Alexandra Palace in Muswell Hill, and various streets in Crouch End.
Map of Cherry Blossoms in London
As promised, I created an interactive Google map of cherry blossoms in London. You can find it here. If you click on the pins, you’ll find my relevant blog posts about each place. I hope it helps you plan a fun sakura walk!
Cherry Trees in London
I hope this guide has inspired you to get out and see the pink petals in London when they bloom. It’s a beautiful time in the city, if a short-lived one!
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