Not to be confused with Kensington Gardens, Kensington Roof Gardens is London’s equivalent of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Nestled on top of a department store on Kensington High Street, these tranquil gardens were planted in the 1930s and feature a Spanish garden, a Tudor garden, an English woodland garden, and even resident flamingos!

Kensington Roof Gardens Introduction

I learned about Kensington Roof Gardens from David Long’s book, Spectacular Vernacular. Virgin Limited Edition, the luxury portfolio of Virgin Hotels Group Ltd, has owned the gardens since 1981 and has renamed them ‘The Roof Gardens’, a title that remains popular among visitors.

When planning your visit, consider pairing it with a meal at the Babylon restaurant, which serves contemporary British cuisine while offering stunning views of the gardens.

Themed Gardens

The Roof Gardens boast three themed gardens, home to over 70 full-size trees, a flowing stream stocked with fish, and resident flamingos named Bill, Ben, Splosh, and Pecks.

• Spanish Garden
  This garden is the most formal, inspired by the Alhambra, the Moorish fortress complex in southern Spain. Visitors will find fountains and vine-covered walkways, all centered around a curved sun pavilion designed by Bernard George.
• Tudor Garden
  A smaller formal walled garden adorned with archways and secret corners, it features a delightful array of lavender, roses, and lilies. Panoramic views of west London can be enjoyed from windows in the garden’s walls.
• English Woodland Garden
  This meandering garden overlooks Kensington High Street. A vast variety of trees, many protected by Tree Preservation Orders, can be found here, along with a stream and a garden pond that is home to pintail ducks and, of course, flamingos.

Kensington Roof Gardens History

The Roof Gardens cover 1.5 acres atop the former Derry and Toms building on Kensington High Street, making it the largest roof garden in Europe.

1930s
In the 1930s, Trevor Bowen, the vice-president of Barkers, commissioned Ralph Hancock, a leading landscape gardener, to create the gardens. The gardens were laid out between 1936 and 1938 at a cost of £25,000.

1970s
The department store building was known as Derry and Toms until 1973, and many locals still refer to the gardens as ‘Derry and Toms Gardens’. They later housed the infamous Biba store from 1973 until 1975.

In 1978, the Gardens were declared a Grade II listed site by English Heritage, recognizing their historical significance.

1980s
After being largely neglected, Virgin took over in 1981, revamping the gardens for private luxury entertaining. Fortunately, the gardens are open to the public unless reserved for a private party.

How to Visit Kensington Roof Gardens

The Roof Gardens are located at 99 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SA. Access is via Derry Street, which branches off Kensington High Street.

The nearest Tube Station is High Street Kensington. To plan your route by public transport, utilize a journey planner for convenience.

The Roof Gardens welcome visitors unless they are reserved for private events or undergoing annual winter maintenance. It is advisable to call ahead to confirm availability at: 020 7937 7994.