Museum gardens to visit in London

Exploring London's many museums is wonderful, but don't overlook the beauty of their gardens. From cosy courtyards to sprawling green spaces, these outdoor areas are just as enticing. Here is our pick of the best London museum gardens to explore.

Horniman Museum

Horniman Museum and Gardens. Photo by MTotoe.

#FLODown: The Horniman Museum's 16-acre garden in south London, opened in 1895, includes the Sound Garden, Wildlife Garden, Meadow Field, and a Prehistoric Garden with 'living fossils.' Following a morning of exploring the museum's collection, the garden is perfect for a stroll. With beautiful views of The Shard and London's skyline from the Bandstand, it's ideal for a weekend visit, and don't miss the opportunity to explore their Sunday farmers' market.

Location:  Horniman Museum and Gardens,100 London Rd, London, SE23 3PQ. Website: horniman.ac.uk. 

The Garden Museum

Garden Cafe at the Garden Museum. Photo by Photos by Andrew Burton.

#FLODown: The Garden Museum’s urban courtyard garden, designed by Dan Pearson as an 'Eden' of rare plants inspired by John Tradescant’s journeys, is complemented by an award-winning café serving fresh bread, seasonal food, and natural wines. The museum explores and celebrates British gardens and gardening through its collection and temporary exhibitions.

Location: Garden Museum, 5 Lambeth Palace Rd, London SE1 7LB. Website: gardenmuseum.org.uk.

Museum of Brands

Museum of Brands. Photo by MTotoe.

#FLODown: The Museum of Brands in Notting Hill boasts a delightful subtropical garden behind the museum, integrated with the café. This charming spot is ideal for enjoying coffee and cake while exploring the garden's hidden corners, including a picturesque fish pond. Inside, the museum presents 150 years of brands, packaging, and advertising. 

Location: Museum of Brands, 111 – 117 Lancaster Road, Notting Hill, W11 1QT. Website:  museumofbrands.com.

Charles Dickens Museum

Charles Dickens Museum.

#FLODown: The Garden Café behind the Charles Dickens Museum in Bloomsbury is a serene hideaway from the bustling Gray's Inn Road. Despite its small size, the courtyard offers a tranquil atmosphere, perfect for enjoying cakes and drinks amidst charming Dickens-themed decor. 

Location: Charles Dickens Museum, 48-49 Doughty St, London WC1N 2LX. Website: dickensmuseum.com. 

Dulwich Picture Gallery

Installation views of Material (SG) IV (2023) by Yinka Shonibare CBE RA and To find a way home (2023) by Li Li Ren. Photos by Graham Turner.

#FLODown: The Dulwich Picture Gallery launches its innovative "Open Art" project, showcasing new works by Yinka Shonibare CBE RA and Li Li Ren in their gardens, merging art with nature for a one-of-a-kind visitor experience. The three-acre grounds double as a serene picnic spot, inviting guests to relax in the picturesque setting. With plans to expand outdoor spaces and introduce curated installations, the gallery aims to continually elevate the outdoor ambiance over the next two years.

‘Yoshida: Three Generations of Japanese Printmaking’, an exhibition showcasing the artworks of the renowned Yoshida family, will be open at Dulwich Picture Gallery in June. Read more.

Location: Dulwich Picture Gallery,London SE21 7AD. Website: dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk. 

Museum of the Home

Museum of the Home. Photo by Jayne Lloyd.

#FLODown: The Museum of the Home in Shoreditch, has the area's biggest free green space. The garden shows how English city gardens have changed over time, with 'garden rooms' from different eras like the 16th century to now. Head gardener Heather Stevens guides visitors through. It's a serene space to relax before or after visiting the museum's collection or their fantastic gift shop! They are currently turning their north garden into a Discovery Garden for children to explore nature.

Location: Museum of the Home, 136 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8EA. Website: museumofthehome.org.uk.

Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum. Photo by Patxi Olaeta.

#FLODown: The Gardens at the Natural History Museum have been closed for renovations since 2022, set to reopen on 18 July 2023 with exciting changes. The transformed gardens will become a sanctuary for both wildlife and visitors, providing a rare chance to experience nature in the heart of the city.

Location: Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD. Website: nhm.ac.uk.

Kew Gardens

Marc Quinn at Kew Gardens. Photo by MTotoe.

#FLODown: The Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, located within the stunning Kew Gardens, is the world's first public gallery devoted to classic and modern botanical art. With 300 acres of greenery and over 50,000 species, it's a haven for nature lovers. Currently, the gallery features an exhibition by renowned contemporary artist Marc Quinn, showcasing both new and existing works. This exhibition is part of a larger Kew-wide display celebrating the beauty of nature and botanical art.

Location: Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE. Website: kew.org.

William Morris Gallery

Rear of Water House, the William Morris Gallery, Walthamstow, 29th April 2022. © Phil Masters.

#FLODown: The William Morris Gallery is a museum dedicated to the life and work of William Morris, a renowned designer, craftsman, and socialist. Situated in Lloyd Park, the museum showcases the world's largest collection of his work and features a beautiful contemporary garden inspired by Morris' signature designs.

Location: William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park, Forest Rd, London E17 4PP. Website: wmgallery.org.uk.

The Serpentine Galleries

Digital rendering of Pumpkin, 2024, © YAYOI KUSAMA, Courtesy Ota Fine Arts, Victoria Miro, and David Zwirner.

#FLODown: Serpentine showcases contemporary art across two sites in Kensington Gardens: Serpentine South and Serpentine North, located on opposite sides of the Serpentine Bridge. Adjacent to Hyde Park, Serpentine offers a unique blend of nature and artistry in the heart of the city.

This summer, Serpentine, in collaboration with The Royal Parks, will unveil a notable new sculpture by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, titled Pumpkin (2024). The sculpture will be displayed by the Round Pond in Kensington Gardens from 9 July - 3 November 2024. Read more.

Location: Kensington Gardens,London W2 3XA. Website: serpentinegalleries.org.