If, like us, you’re longing for more of last weekend’s weather – the hottest of the year so far – you’ll be saddened to hear that there’s rain predicted for the rest of April (we guess it had to get its showers in somewhere). But fear not, for we’ve lined up some of the best indoor green-spirational places the capital has to offer to keep you canopy craving, sun-starved Londoner's satisfied until the downpour decreases.
Sky Garden
A garden at 525 feet – the sixth tallest in the City – with spectacular views over London? Of course we’re into it. The distinctive glass dome located on Fenchurch Street encompasses three stories of public gardens – landscaped by award-winning green architecture practice Gillespies – with social spaces, an observation deck and an open air terrace (should the unwanted showers cease). The predominantly green garden also boasts flowering plants. Impress your companion by reading up on African Lily, Red Hot Poker, French Lavender, and Bird of Paradise stems (or go solo to avoid intellectual embarrassment).
![Sky Garden Viewing Gallery London](https://floom.imgix.net/general/Sky-Garden-Viewing-Gallery-London.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=264ddd5052d70d9fd2f8b434b2474056 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/Sky-Garden-Viewing-Gallery-London.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=a9316f63c79b43056a9d30b66c64c00e 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/Sky-Garden-Viewing-Gallery-London.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=a2b0cdc9c609965d6d260b51240bbae0 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/Sky-Garden-Viewing-Gallery-London.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=57a06faab585d0ec02d388b49bc181c8 400w)
The Garden Museum
Located on the Thames, next to Lambeth Palace, The Garden Museum celebrates British gardens and gardening through its expertly curated collection, and its exhibition and events calendar. Right now you can choose from Cedric Morris: Artist Plantsman – a 30-year strong collection of the artist’s painted portraits, still lives and landscapes – and Charlotte Verity’s watercolour exhibition titled In Their Garden. Oh, and of course there’s a garden too, in which you can enjoy a menu of seasonal dishes.
![Pavilions Plants And Tombs Pushing Up Into And Around The New Cloister At The Garden Museum](https://floom.imgix.net/general/pavilions-plants-and-tombs-pushing-up-into-and-around-the-new-cloister-at-the-garden-museum.jpeg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=98dbabfc7911ce48c1b73c5e52d6ffe7 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/pavilions-plants-and-tombs-pushing-up-into-and-around-the-new-cloister-at-the-garden-museum.jpeg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=cfcf6ef86736d2f495c0c197d0c37a64 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/pavilions-plants-and-tombs-pushing-up-into-and-around-the-new-cloister-at-the-garden-museum.jpeg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=758f234e02cc211e981fd4ef115ffb7e 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/pavilions-plants-and-tombs-pushing-up-into-and-around-the-new-cloister-at-the-garden-museum.jpeg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=abd895f464d9389cfc2a1fae7cb46810 400w)
Bourne & Hollingsworth
A plant-filled space just off Clekenwell’s Exmouth Market, the Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings combine a restaurant, greenhouse, cocktail bar, cookery school and a late night underground drinking den. Each room in the large light-drenched space is gloriously-green, filled with hanging plants, trailing creepers, potted palms, and botanical themed soft furnishings. We suggest ordering a pot of herbal tea and working from a tropical palm-printed chair next time you’re “working” from home.
![Img 7052Edit](https://floom.imgix.net/general/img_7052edit.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=71ec56c741ea3bab1d633061327cdbde 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/img_7052edit.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=4c320d374c22453d5a4e43e83d67f509 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/img_7052edit.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=21b5104595947b0eb33b22e54de92723 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/img_7052edit.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=ee5d4e5036517bedac2f668059e495ce 400w)
Petersham Nurseries
Chances are you’ve visited our friends Petersham Nurseries in Richmond, but have you been to their Covent Garden space that’s set within an impressive Grade II listed Victorian building? It features a florist, a delicatessen, and an emporium of hand-curated homeware and furnishings, surrounded by greenery and exotic indoor potted plants. If you’re looking for a slice of the country in zone 1, and you’re got a penchant for artisanal gardening tools – set aside an afternoon to explore Petersham Nurseries’ newest venture.
![Petersham Nurseries Covent Garden 1050X680](https://floom.imgix.net/general/Petersham-nurseries-covent-garden-1050x680.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=2b3087e717af59b0172aa62d1b646fbe 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/Petersham-nurseries-covent-garden-1050x680.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=fa98566ed375bfe794c505b2ab7b5831 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/Petersham-nurseries-covent-garden-1050x680.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=8e0e82a99f602a80474169dc26e71b36 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/Petersham-nurseries-covent-garden-1050x680.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=5d346834422047af926956a769b4a1d0 400w)
Barbican Conservatory
We first fell in love with the brutalist exterior of the Barbican, standing defiant against the city skyline. But one of the main things that keeps us coming back is the stunning conservatory that functions as the heart of the complex. Its tropical interior is home to a multitude of fantastical-looking palms and over 2000 species of fish (there really are more fish in the… pond). Take a moment’s respite on the bench near the pond, drink in the tropical sensations and imagine yourself far far away… It’s the perfect foil for the urban extravaganza that houses it, and therefore also feels like the best place to end our exploration of London’s natural escapes.
![13253785265 B865A574Ef B](https://floom.imgix.net/general/13253785265_b865a574ef_b_180425_165134.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=156b72543d4fe0c0539d961104cbed27 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/13253785265_b865a574ef_b_180425_165134.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=c43540d4bc8943c9f86de019138781f5 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/13253785265_b865a574ef_b_180425_165134.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=78b1e5d9aece802893749c0cd2e28b93 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/13253785265_b865a574ef_b_180425_165134.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=941f9ae24bab55110bf76c6df0d8fa09 400w)