Kensington Gardens

About Kensington Gardens

These 0.6ha (1 1/2 acre) roof gardens lie on top of the building at 99 Kensington High Street, near Kensington Gardens in Central London. The gardens, dating from 1936, give a pleasing panoramic view over west London from their 30m (100ft) high vantage point, and are divided into three themed sections: A formal Spanish garden (in a Moorish style, with fountains, vine-covered walkways and Chusan palms); a Tudor garden (with wisteria and roses); and an English woodland garden (with over 100 species of trees, a stream and a garden pond with ducks and flamingos).

Kensington Roof Gardens are owned by Sir Richard Branson, and, together with Necker Island (his private island in the Caribbean), Ulasaba Private Game Reserve in South Africa and Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco, they form his collection of exclusive resorts known as the Virgin "Limited Edition".

Although the gardens are not a well-known tourist attraction (they are run as a restaurant, event venue and private members' club), visitors are permitted when no events are being hosted.