Landscaped Gardens in London: Design, Parks, and Outdoor Spaces

When you think of landscaped gardens, outdoor spaces intentionally designed for beauty, function, and relaxation. Also known as formal gardens, they’re more than just grass and flowers—they’re part of London’s identity, blending history, ecology, and urban living. From the manicured lawns of St James’s Park to the wildflower meadows in Victoria Park, these spaces aren’t accidents. They’re planned, maintained, and often funded by public or private efforts to give city dwellers breathing room.

Landscaped gardens in London include public gardens, open green areas maintained for community use, like Kew Gardens and Hampstead Heath, and garden design London, the practice of shaping outdoor areas with plants, hardscaping, and water features, seen in private courtyards and luxury developments. You’ll find these designs influencing everything from rooftop terraces in Shoreditch to community plots in Peckham. Sustainability is now a core part of the process—rainwater harvesting, native planting, and low-maintenance layouts are no longer optional. These aren’t just pretty spaces; they’re tools for cooling the city, reducing noise, and improving mental health.

What makes London’s landscaped gardens unique is how they balance tradition with change. You can walk past 18th-century fountains in Kensington Gardens and then see a wildflower corridor built by local volunteers in Croydon. The city doesn’t just preserve its green spaces—it reimagines them. Whether it’s a corporate HQ adding a living wall or a council turning a vacant lot into a sensory garden for seniors, the trend is clear: people want more than just a patch of grass. They want places that feel alive, intentional, and connected to nature.

Below, you’ll find real examples of how these spaces are designed, used, and loved across London. From hidden gems tucked behind townhouses to massive royal parks that draw millions each year, this collection shows the full range of what landscaped gardens can be—and how they’re shaping the way we live in the city.