Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in The South West 

The time-honoured tradition of hanami (‘flower viewing’) needs nothing more than great company and a few pinkening petals, so rouse the kids, rally some friends, or treat the dog to an extra-long walk.

While cherry blossom season typically falls in April, the more recent trend of milder winters mean that the first flowers can be seen as early as March. And with different varieties blooming at different times and the average tree blooming for just two weeks, you’ll need be quick about getting the best shots, so we’ve listed some of the best spots to find them!

The best places to see cherry blossom in London

London has a fascination with these beautiful trees, and there’s a great selection of locations across the capital to find them!

Cherry blossom trees at Kew Gardens

It’s an obvious one, but London’s biggest botanical garden Kew Gardens is one of the best places to see cherry blossoms each spring. The rose garden behind the famous Palm House hides an avenue that bursts into colour each spring, making it a spectacular spot to get a shot for your Instagram feed with the house itself in the background.

How to get there: It’s just a quick walk from Richmond or Kew Bridge stations.

Cherry blossom trees at Kyoto Garden, Holland Park

A gift from the city of Kyoto to the people of London and Great Britain as a whole, the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park has spend 30 years being a place of peace and calm in the centre of a bustling city. And being designed by renowned Japanese designers means that, of course, one of Japan’s most beautiful exports features front and centre. Couple up a shot of the (relatively tame) peacocks and the cherry trees over the beautiful pond for a shot that’ll fool your followers into thinking you’re in the prefecture itself.

How to get there: Take the London Overground from Clapham Junction to Kensington Olympia to discover it for yourself.

Cherry blossom trees at St Paul’s Cathedral

Keeping it minimalist is St Paul’s Cathedral. While there are only a few trees here, they’re in the perfect spot for your Instagram feed. Frame Sir Christopher Wren’s iconic dome with a bough of the candyfloss flowers and an bright blue sky and you’ve got the makings of a stellar post.

How to get there: St Paul’s is 20 minutes’ walk from London Waterloo along the beautiful South Bank and across the Millennium Bridge.

Cherry blossom trees at St James’s Park

This is probably the most central place in London where you’ll find cherry blossom trees. There are a number dotted around the lake, but for the best shots, head towards Buckingham Palace. Then face back towards Horse Guards at the eastern end of the lake and you’ll find a cherry blossom tree leaning over the water, framing the fairytale buildings of Whitehall as they peek out beneath the trees.  If you fancy exploring more of the area while you’re there, take a look at these best free walking tours in London. 

How to get there: St James’s Park is just a 10-minute walk from London Waterloo.

Cherry blossom trees at Battersea Park

Often overlooked thanks to not being one of the more famous Royal Parks, there’s nonetheless plenty to see here. Head to Spring Tree Walk for views of candy cotton trees with the iconic Battersea Power Station chimneys in the background, perfect for that Instagram-perfect angle. Look closely and you may even see south west London’s resident parakeets enjoying a feast!

How to get there: Battersea Park is just five minutes’ walk from Queenstown Road (Battersea) station, or a quick bus ride from step-free Clapham Junction.

Cherry blossom trees at Greenwich Park

As one of the best places to see cherry blossom in London, Greenwich Park is hard to beat. Head beyond the Observatory towards Ranger’s House and you’ll find one of the capital’s best loved spring displays, where the cherry trees arch over the path to create a dreamy pink tunnel. It’s easily one of the most photogenic places to catch blossom in London! 

How to get there: Travel into London Waterloo with SWR and continue across London to Greenwich for one of the capital’s most famous blossom spots. 

The best places to see cherry blossom in the South West

Southern England’s milder weather makes it an ideal place for cherry trees to thrive, and when cherry blossom season in the UK arrives, the region comes alive with spots where you can see rare and beautiful blooms at their best. 

Cherry blossom trees at Mottisfont Abbey

Mottisfont Abbey bursts into a candyfloss pink colour in late spring with it’s small cherry orchard offering a truly delightful spectacle. Time your visit for the end of March or early April to catch the magnolia in bloom too, creating a stunning archway to pass under on your way in. If you’re planning more garden filled days out, explore other National Trust places to visit in the South West. 

How to get there: Mottisfont Abbey is a 20-minute walk from Mottisfont and Dunbridge station.

Cherry blossom trees at Hinton Ampner

Hinton Ampner is festooned with flowers from March until May thanks to its incredible variety of species. First to burst are the Kanzans’ frilly fuschia blooms, which transform the orchard into a riot of pink, swiftly followed by the more delicate, paler petals of the Shirotae trees (also known as ‘Mount Fuji’).

How to get there: Hinton Ampner is a 40-minute bus ride from Winchester station.

Cherry blossom trees at RHS Garden Wisley

Visiting RHS Wisley in the spring is a joy in itself, but arriving you’ll enter the estate through an avenue of 140 blossoming cherry trees, a perfect introduction to this glorious garden. Japan’s beloved Prunus x Yeodensis species, with its pure white flowers and light perfume, the Prunus x Yedoensis was selected for Wisley by RHS experts for its beauty and resilience, and it makes for an incredible picture too..

How to get there: The nearest station to RHS Garden is Woking. From there, catch the RHS shuttle and get off at the gardens. And don’t forget that travelling car-free can get you 30% off your entry! Just show your train or bus ticket, taxi receipt or bike on arrival.

Cherry blossom trees at Exbury Gardens

The garden team at Exbury made the most of the series of lockdowns by planting dozens of gorgeous blossoming cherry trees thanks to the UK-Japan Sakura Cherry Tree Project. 48 of these flower-festooned trees offer a perfect spot for picnicking and relaxing, and that’s before you head into Daffodil Meadow to experience the blaze of spring yellows. Make a full spring day of it by exploring more days out in the New Forest. 

How to get there: Exbury Gardens are just a 30-minute bus ride from Brockenhurst station.

Plan you trip to see cherry blossom in London and South West with SWR 

Feeling inspired to get out in nature? Take a look at the UK's best-rated wildflower spring walks or perhaps the best gardens in the South West.Take the most of cherry blossom season with South Western Railway.  

Use our live travel updates to check your route before you set off, then choose ticket type that suits your plans best. Advance tickets can help you save when you book ahead, while Semi Flex Return tickets offer extra flexibility if you want more time to wander, picnic or stop for lunch on the way back.  

If you travel regularly, a Season Ticket could help cut the cost of repeat journeys, and many Railcards can save you up to 1/3 off eligible fares.  

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