Sunday 10 September 2017

Rooftop Garden Kensington

The rooftop gardens in Kensington are spectacular but what is even more surprising is that they are free to visit. However, the gardens are hired out for various events especially weddings so you need to check beforehand that they are open to the public.







The roof garden was the dream of Trevor Bowen, the vice-president of John Barker & Co. In 1936 he employed the landscape architect Ralph Hancock to realise his vision. The gardens cost £25,000 and took two years to build. They were opened to the public in May 1938. Seven trees remain from the original planting in 1936.














There are three themed gardens with over 60 full size trees, water features and lawns, which is surprising when you realise that the depth of the soil is only 18 inches. The gardens have been acknowledged as having 'Specific historical interest' and given a Grade II listing by English Heritage.











As well as the Tudor and Woodland gardens there is the Spanish garden based on the Alhambra, Grenada, Spain. The colours and layout are all from the original plans of 1938.





















The space on the 6th floor was run as Regine's a restaurant and nightclub until 1981 when Sir Richard Branson became the owner and transformed the interior into an amazing events space, private members club and restaurant.


From street level you can just about see the rooftop gardens.

23 comments:

  1. So beautiful! How nice that these gardens are free to visit.

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  2. That is truly amazing and I would never have known the gardens weren't at ground level.

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  3. Well I never knew that place existed, looks like a piece of tranquility in the hustle and bustle of London

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  4. I can't believe all those gardens are on the rooftop. Just amazing.

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  5. What a remarkable looking place - or even palace if my typing is bad!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  6. Hello, beautiful views of the gardens. I like the flamingos. It is great it is free. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

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  7. Thank you for sharing these lovely gardens! :-)

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  8. On my recent trip to London I was impressed to see how many rooftop gardens there are these days, I have not been here so will put it on our list. How did you manage to see it with no-one there?! It looks like you had a wonderful private viewing!
    Wren x

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  9. From the street it is hard to imagine what is up there. So lovely.

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  10. Such a beautiful place and wonderful photography ~ Kensington Gardens are captured so well ~ thanks, ^_^

    (A ShutterBug Explores)

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  11. Just stunning.. no doubt it took two years to build..

    I'm following you..

    Will you please follow me back?

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  12. What an interesting thing to find on a rooftop, but it makes sense in a big city.

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  13. An interesting history and tour of a beautiful place.
    Kay
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
    www.funfittie.blogspot.com

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  14. Fascinating information and photos as usual. I don't think those trees would last long up here in windy West Lancs in 18 inches of soil.

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  15. Interesting to know, I will book a trip to London together with a friend to see Kensington Palace and the Diana fashion show in the next weeks.

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  16. On a roof? I had to go back up to your title to confirm. Very hard to believe they exist up there.

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  17. You find the most amazing things to show us and this is a brilliant find! How lovely. Must add it to the list of things to see in London!

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  18. Thanks for sharing this bit of knowdledge. I had no idea.

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  19. Wonderful -- how did we miss this? (As if I thought we could see everything in one tiny visit). Sending thoughts and best wishes to all of London right now and apologies for our joke of a so-called president. Please know that most of us are as unhappy with him as you are.

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  20. Looks fabulous - I want all new buildings to have plenty of green space

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