Name: Garden Museum
Rating: 5.0

Garden Museum

Garden Museum, 5 Lambeth Palace Road, Lambeth Palace Road, London , Greater London, SE1 7LB, England

1-90 Years

Paid

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Description

The Garden Museum in London is a unique place that celebrates the art, history, and design of British gardens. Founded in 1977, it is housed in the former St Mary’s church at Lambeth, which is also the resting place of the famous gardener and plant-hunter John Tradescant. The museum combines history, gardening, and culture, offering an inspiring day out for visitors of all ages.

Inside, you’ll find exhibitions, artefacts, botanical art, and interactive displays telling the stories of great gardeners. The museum also features beautifully designed gardens, a medieval tower with panoramic city views, and the Ark Gallery exploring Tradescant’s collection. Families can also discover the hidden crypt with Archbishops’ tombs, adding a fascinating historical element.

Tickets are priced at £16 for adults, £9 for children (7–18), students, and unemployed, £13 for senior citizens, and free for children under 6. Family tickets are available at £20 (1 adult + 1 child) or £40 (2 adults + 2 children).

A visit to the Garden Museum is not just about history but also about reflection, beauty, and learning. From climbing the medieval tower to enjoying the award-winning Garden Café, there is something for everyone. It’s a must-visit for garden lovers, history enthusiasts, and families looking for a cultural and relaxing day out.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

The Museum: The Garden Museum explores and celebrates the art, history and design of British gardens and their place in our lives today. Visitors will discover the stories of great gardeners through a permanent collection of artefacts and tools from gardening throughout history alongside botanical art, photography, and paintings exploring how and why we garden. Exhibitions, events, and community projects delve into art, architecture, plant science, food, sustainability, well-being and more, all through the lens of gardening. The Garden Museum is home to the Archive of Garden Design, which preserves and provides access to the working records of leading British garden designers of the 20th and 21st century.
Gardens: At the heart of the Garden Museum is our courtyard garden. Designed by Dan Pearson as an ‘Eden’ of rare plants, the garden is inspired by John Tradescant’s journeys as a plant collector. Taking advantage of the sheltered, warm space, Dan has created a green retreat in response to the bronze and glass architecture, conjuring up a calm, reflective atmosphere. This is intended to be a garden in which to take your time. Our front garden was designed by Christopher Bradley-Hole an architect who retrained as a garden designer. He proposed a new forecourt formed by yew hedges, which invite visitors to enter and wait for friends or look back at the towers of Lambeth Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament.
The Ark Gallery: The Ark Gallery explores the life and collection of John Tradescant (c.1580–1638), the gardener who founded Britain’s first museum open to the public at his Lambeth house. Tradescant was born in around 1580, and his life is a mystery until, in 1609, he is recorded as a gardener at Hatfield House in Hertford-shire to Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, the Minister to King James I who discovered the Gunpowder Plot. He became gardener to King Charles I and his French wife, Henrietta Maria, and in the 1620s moved to Lambeth and began a garden of botanical specimens.
The Archbishops’ Tomb: On Easter Sunday 2017 the Sunday Telegraph reported on the discovery of a vault deep underneath the chancel of St Mary’s, Lambeth, in which 30 lead coffins have been buried, including between two and five Archbishops of Canterbury. During the construction of the gallery dedicated to Tradescant’s Ark our contractors lifted a loose stone in the floor of the chancel to reveal a flight of steps to a crypt. In the darkness it was possible to see lead coffins. On top of one coffin, an Archbishop’s Mitre glittered.
Medieval tower: Climb 131 steps to the top of the Garden Museum’s historic medieval tower, and be rewarded with breathtaking views across London, including the River Thames towards Westminster and beyond. Built in 1377 and repaired in 1834-1835, the tower is the oldest part of the Garden Museum building. Wind your way up the same steps ascended by Wenceslaus Hollar in 1647 to produce his panoramic print “The Prospect of London and Westminster taken from Lambeth”. Reaching the summit, the panorama that unfolds before you would have mirrored much of what Hollar witnessed.

Facilities

Parking: There is no parking at the Garden Museum, but paid parking is available nearby on Lambeth High Street and at the Novotel on Lambeth Road.
Food & Drinks: The Award-winning Garden Café serves food & beverages.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Adult: £16
Child (7-18): £9
Child (6 and under): free
Senior citizen: £13
Student: £9
Unemployed: £9
Family 1 (1 adult, 1 child): £20
Family 2 (2 adults, 2 children): £40

Pricing URL: https://gardenmuseum.org.uk/visit/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Unforgettable private parties amidst historic allure. Immerse your guests in a unique blend of elegance and natural beauty, surrounded by lush gardens. Explore versatile spaces tailored for your exclusive celebrations, creating moments that linger in the hearts of your guests.

Craft your dream event with confidence at our historic venue, partnering exclusively with accredited suppliers. Elevate your celebration to new heights as trusted professionals bring your vision to life, seamlessly blending modern sophistication with timeless charm. From exquisite florals to gourmet delights, experience the pinnacle of wedding perfection in a historic setting. Choose excellence, choose accredited suppliers.

Contact the venue for more information.

Open Monday – Sunday: 10am – 5pm

Address: Garden Museum, 5 Lambeth Palace Road, Lambeth Palace Road, London , Greater London, SE1 7LB, England

Post Code: SE1 7LB

Council: Lambeth

County: Greater London