You might have heard of the beautiful cherry blossom season in Japan during spring, but did you know that London is blessed with a range of places to see enjoy the beautiful blooming trees called Sakura? In London, the Sakura typically runs from late March or early April until May, depending on the weather conditions. So usually, the best time to spot cherry blossoms in London is mid-April.
The different varieties of cherry blossom bloom at various dates, some with bright pink flowers, while others are in a light cotton candy colour, and others have white blossoms. Unfortunately, they bloom only for a few weeks, so you must be quick! Fortunately, the cherry blossom season in London coincides with the magnolias bursting into bloom which brings more hue to London’s streets following the long, grey winter. You can enjoy the Sakura in Japanese Gardens in London as well as in many of the local parks. Here is the ultimate list of places to prepare for one of the most beautiful seasons in London:
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Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park is one of the most beautiful locations to enjoy the season of cherry blossom in London. If you walk past the cricket court within the park, you’ll see the road that leads to Rangers House. A local favourite for us, we always try to time our visit to enjoy the gorgeous trees in full spring, creating a breathtaking Japan-inspired cherry blossom tunnel.
Kew Gardens
If you’re keen to take full advantage of the blooming spring season, then make sure you visit Kew Gardens from April to May. In spring, the most extensive botanical garden in London is blooming wildly. We recommend the “Cherry Walk”, which begins in front of the Palm House and runs towards the Temperate House. It’s a straight pathway lined with bright pink blossoms and a perfect place to get that perfect Instagram shot!
Regent’s Park
The cherry blossoms are everywhere in Regent’s Park but go towards Chester Road for the most spectacular views. The beautiful trees were planted along the road in the 1930s at the same time as The Queen Mary’s Garden and the Queen Mary’s Rose Garden were constructed. Avenue Gardens is another good location, as the flowers are pinker.
Kensington Gardens
Sadly, Hyde Park does not offer much for cherry blossoms, but Kensington Gardens delivers beautiful white and pink flowers. The entrance is through at Lancaster Gate, and here you can enjoy an explosion of pink and pale white blooms. From here, walk to the Albert Memorial, at the southernmost point of the garden, which is where you’ll find even additional beautiful blooming cherry trees.
Olympic Park
The London Blossom Garden opened in 2021 at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park as a living tribute to “commemorate the shared experiences of the city from the pandemic of Coronavirus”. Other flower circle towns include Nottingham, Newcastle and Plymouth.
The garden is dotted with 33 flowering trees, each symbolizing the corresponding London city borough, including the City of London. There are eight kinds of cherry blossom trees: hawthorns and cherries, plums of cherry and crab apple blossoms, planted in three closely-circle. If you visit during the cherry blossom season, you’ll be rewarded with stunningly blooming trees that are vibrant and beautiful.
North London Parks
North London residents should head to Alexandra Palace, otherwise known as Ally Pally, to enjoy stunning pink blossoms and breathtaking views of the city. A little further away, close by is Kenwood House and Hampstead Heath. While you won’t find blooms of cherry at the edge of the park, the grounds are brimming with magnolias, rhododendrons as well as camellias.
St James’s Park
St James Park is a classic Central London Park and a perfect place to relax while sightseeing in London. There are a few sakura surrounding the lake. Still, for the most stunning views of the blossoms as well as the best photo opportunities, you should head toward the eastern side of the lake towards Buckingham Palace, where a series of cherry trees gracefully lean across the water. They are usually among the first to bloom.
St Paul’s Cathedral
There are not many cherry blossoms outside St Paul’s Cathedral, but the ones there towards the church’s north can make stunning photographs. Make sure you frame the photo correctly, and you’ll see the branches in bloom and the iconic dome in the background of the trees.
Kyoto Garden, Holland Park
The Kyoto Gardens in Holland Park is one of London’s Japanese Gardens. The park was first established in 1991 and was given to Japan’s city Kyoto located in Japan. The gardens are now a gorgeous Japanese garden throughout the year, but it truly is at its best in spring, when the cherry blossoms bloom.
Hackney
In 2022, there will be new blossoms of the cherry that will be blooming in Springfield Park and Daubeney Fields. In addition, 101 Japanese cherry trees were planted last year after Japan gave more than 6,500 trees in the U.K. The trees were planted in gardens, parks, and even schools. In Springfield park, the cherry blossoms are being planted close in their River Lea at the bottom of the garden. Within Daubeney Fields, the cherry trees are located in the park’s northern portion.
Battersea Park
Battersea Park is an idyllic avenue of gorgeous cherry blossoms in the south of London, appropriately dubbed Cherry Tree Avenue. First, photograph the pink blooms that are dusty and Battersea Power Station in the background. Battersea Power Station in the environment. After that, walk across the River toward Chelsea Embankment, where beautiful white blooms create the perfect backdrop to photograph Albert Bridge.
The cherry blossom, or Sakura as it is also known, is the flower of many trees. It belongs to the genus Prunus and subgenus Cerasus. The flowers are common in East Asia, especially in Japan and China. In North America, the cherry blossom is known as the spring cherry.
The best time to visit a city’s cherry blossoms is around mid-April when the blooms are at their peak. You can take photos of the flower at various stages during the day to appreciate the beauty of the colour. Check out local websites for updates on the cherry blossom festival. Some festivals are held around the country, and you can check out a list of the biggest and most popular ones in your region. Here are some tips for visiting a city during cherry blossom season.
In addition to the blossoms, the cherry blossoms are beautiful, but they also have a darker meaning in Japan. Kamikaze pilots painted cherry blossom imagery on their warplanes so that they would crash into an emperor’s castle. Fortunately, those days are over, and the blossoms are now cherished for their aesthetic value and philosophical significance. If you’re in the city during this time, you’ll find plenty of cherry blossoms in Vancouver!
In Japan, cherry blossom is associated with death. It represents the graceful acceptance of karma and destiny. Despite the flower’s popularity in Japan, it is difficult to avoid the inevitable wrath of mortality. The flowers have become the subject of many popular folk songs, and their image is represented on all sorts of consumer goods. The festival dates back centuries. In the 8th century, the chronicle Nihon Shoki records that the cherry blossom festival began in the 3rd century.
In the United States, cherry blossom is celebrated at several festivals. In Japan, the trees are also found in many national parks and on the grounds of castles. In addition, delicate flowers have become popular in tattoos and traditional art and are popular among many people. Because they are so transient, they are often in the news, making them popular in other countries. However, cherry blossoms are also common in other parts of the world.
Cherry blossoms are synonymous with spring, and they are also celebrated during the springtime in Japan. It is an enchanting time to visit the city. The beautiful flowers are often beautiful and are worth a visit. In Washington DC, the cherry blossom is a symbol of fresh beginnings. Its appearance coincides with the start of the school and the fiscal year, which are both important in the city. While many people celebrate cherry blossom in other countries, the Japanese cherry blossom is the most prominent symbol of the month.