Open Garden Squares Weekend returns in summer 2016

Open Garden Squares Weekend will return on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June and will offer discounts for groups.

The annual event will offer groups the chance to snoop around over 200 hidden gardens located across 27 London boroughs.

The gardens will range from private gardens, roof gardens and community allotments to gardens belonging to historic buildings, institutions, cafes, schools, art galleries and shops.

Highlights will include the garden at Number 10 Downing Street, the Roof Gardens in Kensington and Garden Barges floating on the River Thames by Tower Bridge.

Other outdoor spaces that can be explored will be the medicinal garden at the Royal College of Physicians and prestigious leafy London squares such as Cleveland, Eccleston, Fitzroy and Eaton Square.

Past famous residents of some of the places on view include prime minister Neville Chamberlain and actress Vivien Leigh.

Many of the gardens will also host family-friendly activities, live music, exhibitions, talks, plant sales and pop-up events.

Other activities that are planned include guided walks and tours, cycle rides and even the chance to visit a garden fete or listen to poetry.

Open Garden Squares Weekend has taken place annually since 1998, when just 40 private squares participated.

The event is organised by the London Parks & Gardens Trust, who work to protect and promote London’s green open spaces. It is their highest profile event.

A full list of gardens that will be taking part will be released in February.

Open Garden Squares Weekend also takes place in other cities around Europe such as Bristol, Dublin, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary.

Groups of ten or more will benefit from a ten per cent discount off the standard price ticket of £12.

For more information visit www.opensquares.org.