With election drama, a heatwave making it hotter than the Bahamas, freak downpours drenching us every lunch time and Jon Snow being the best thing about Glasto, this summer has been full of surprises. It's no wonder, then, that all us Londoners want now is to find somewhere peaceful to relax and enjoy the sunshine, and where could be better than a garden? We will admit these can seem hard to find – at least, if you'd rather not prop yourself up next to a trellis or table-hover aggressively. Luckily, across the capital there are secret pockets of greenery just waiting for you to pull up a chair, order a drink and let the worries of the summer float away. Theresa who?
Petersham Nurseries
On the very edge of London, the original Petersham Nurseries is where you go when you're seriously in need of some green. What began as a garden centre in the estate of a stately home is now one of the most beautiful nurseries in the country. Spend a day wandering between the hanging bougainvillea and flowering jasmine, peek inside the greenhouses and browse the beautiful homewares in their shop. Having built up an appetite, drop in for lunch at their award-winning restaurant (make sure you book – this place is very popular) or choose from freshly made salads and sandwiches in the tearoom. Expect flowers everywhere, natch.
If you're in need of more urban greenery, then you're in luck. Petersham Nurseries has just opened its first central London outpost, in Covent Garden. From August, green-thumbed shoppers can pick up gardening goodies from the new store, which has real trees growing up the wall and is decked out with arrangements from the in-house florist, while the delicatessen is bursting with everything from signature jams to fresh stuffed pasta, meaning you can even take the taste of the garden home.
Petersham Nurseries
Locations in Richmond & Covent Garden
Blixen
Inside a converted bank at the heart of east London's Spitalfields market is perhaps the last place you'd think to find a beautiful garden, but at Blixen that's exactly what you'll discover. This green space is glassed in, away from the hustle and bustle of the market, and filled with freely growing vines and fairy lights. Given Blixen's reputation for gorgeous interiors, it shouldn't be a surprise that you'll also find exquisite vintage furniture and custom-made booths to curl up in. This is the perfect secret garden to hide away in, perhaps with one or two of their signature cocktails.
Blixen
65A Brushfield St, London E1 6AA
020 7101 0093
Palm Vaults
Technically this café is indoors but for anyone craving a bit of greenery, you couldn't do better. There is an abundance of plants, from hanging planters to palm trees to a wall of succulents, but the fresh feel of the outdoors doesn't stop there. Almost everything inside this café is pastel and as pretty as a peony, or printed with extremely chic illustrations of palm leaves. Even the loo is full of foliage – perfect for a quick bathroom selfie. Plants, from beetroot to matcha, have also made their way into the lattes, providing even more Instagram fodder. Ah, the magic of nature.
Palm Vaults
411 Mare St, London E8 1HY
07391 139805
The Albion
Islington is now known for two things: Jeremy Corbyn, and a lot of pubs. If you're not the man himself and you want to stand out, then you need to be a special pub – and The Albion's garden makes it a very special pub indeed. Overhung with vines and wisteria, this beautiful beer garden is the perfect place to unwind with a pint. Should you be after something more substantial, this pub is also famed for its roasts and super-friendly service. You may have to get there early on sunny weekends to avoid the rush but once you're relaxing under the greenery, all you'll have to worry about is whose round it is.
The Albion
10 Thornhill Rd, Islington, London N1 1HW
020 7607 7450
Pergola
Both of Pergola's west London locations began as barren spaces, with great views but not much going on. Today, they're both home to fabulous pop-ups from some of the best restaurants in the capital, all of which you can enjoy in a fully covered garden setting (just in case the weather gets too British). The word is out on both of these hot spots, unsurprisingly, so we recommend you book yourself a space. All that's left once you arrive is to decide which of their visiting restaurants to choose from. Since this year's selection includes Patty&Bun, Breddos Tacos and Decatur, that could be more difficult than you think.
Pergola
Locations in White City & Paddington
Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden
At the top of one of London's most famous Brutalist buildings, this garden, which began as a partnership with The Eden Project, is one of the most surprising spots in the city. Surprising because you can find fruit trees and wildflowers in the middle of one of London's most developed areas, as well as stunning views over the river and a cracking café bar. Find yourself a piece of turf and watch the world go by.
Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, Lambeth, London SE1 8XX
John Lewis Gardening Society
John Lewis is giving Londoners the opportunity to experience a traditional English garden among the rooftops of Oxford Street. This summer you can find allotments, gardening events and an ever-changing residency by some of London's top restaurants. There's also The Gardener's Arms, which may very well be the smallest pub in London. If you're after your own space you can book a private summer house, complete with a personal sound system and garden. Whether you're looking to bask in an English country garden or just escape the swelter of central London, this is the place to be.
John Lewis Gardening Society
300 Oxford St, London W1C 1DX
020 7629 7711
11 Cadogan Gardens
As fans of MIC know, everyone in Chelsea has a secret. Luckily, this boutique hotel's hidden garden just off Sloane Square isn't going to cause anyone to storm out of an end-of-season party. Instead, they've teamed up with Sipsmith to create an extraordinary menu of cocktails based around the classic English garden, which should certainly give you something to celebrate. Choose from cocktails fragranced with English wildflowers and enjoy a real English garden in your glass, and all around you.
11 Cadogan Gardens
11 Cadogan Gardens, Chelsea, London SW3 2RJ
020 7730 7000
Blakes Hotel
British weather being what it is, you can't always rely on the sun to brighten things up. This is never a problem at Blakes Hotel, though – even on the dullest day their garden glows with geometric murals and Matthew William-designed pieces. There's even a glassed-in conservatory, disguised as a giant gold birdcage, in which you can perch with a cocktail or two. Come rain or shine, this garden is where you need to be.
Blakes Hotel
33 Roland Gardens, Kensington, London SW7 3PF
020 7370 6701
The Crown and Shuttle
This Shoreditch pub's outdoor space is so much more than just a beer garden; it's a time-travelling seaside resort. Every summer this garden is reincarnated as the fantastically named Filthy Fanny's, a '90s-inspired cocktail bar which aims to bring back the very best (and possibly worst) of the 1990s. This summer they're inspired by the British seaside, aiming to make a mini Shoreditch-on-Sea with drinks like the 'Margate Rita'. We love the idea of a trip to the seaside with our pint – after all, life's a beach.
The Crown and Shuttle
226 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6PJ
020 7375 2905
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