Spring is here. Every tree in London is heavy with pink blossoms, and the parks and gardens are brilliant with the colors of a million tulips. March and April saw the city come into full bloom, and now there’s another spring floral trend beginning: wisteria in London.
Wisteria in London
Wisteria has always been one of my favorite spring flowers, not least because of the way it decorates buildings with its soft purple petals and ensconces trellises in springtime beauty.
Since moving to London, I’ve discovered that it graces the city every year in the loveliest way, and I’ve been a bit obsessed with finding it.
When Does Wisteria Bloom in London?
The London wisteria season starts at different times each year, but the flowers are usually out by late April or early May. The blooms take a week or two to fully develop, then stay for another few weeks before fading.
It’s a short season and can vary by London neighborhood and even by street, so timing your visit is key.
As such, make sure it’s blooming when you plan to seek it out so you don’t arrive too early or late. Instagram is a good place to do this, as there are lots of people sharing wisteria London Instagram photos each spring.
Where to See Wisteria in London
So where are the best places to see wisteria in London? There are so many it’s hard to know where to start.
But if I had to choose a few, it would be Kensington, South Kensington and Chelsea, Battersea, Holland Park, and Peckham Rye Park.
1. Kensington
I discovered years ago that one of the best places to see wisteria in London is Kensington.
From the wisteria covered facades in the neighborhood’s little mews streets to the spectacular displays climbing all the way up to second floor windows, there’s no shortage of it to be found.
Abingdon Road, Kynance Mews, and Gordon Place are the best places to see wisteria in Kensington, the last of which is so pretty and peaceful it’s hard to believe it’s in the middle of a city.
And that’s to say nothing of the wisteria house in London on Canning Place, which might be the most Instagrammed place in London in spring.
You can see the best places for wisteria in Kensington on my free self-guided London walk in the area, so I recommend following the route to take it all in.
2. Holland Park
Holland Park is another great place to see wisteria in London. This neighborhood is lovely at any time of year, but it really comes alive in spring.
The Holland Park tulip gardens are in full bloom in spring, but along their perimeter walls the wisteria adds a subtle splash of purple that can be easier on the eyes than the bright hues of its floral cousins. And that’s to say nothing of its lovely perfume.
3. South Kensington and Chelsea
Over in South Kensington and Chelsea, the wisteria makes an appearance worthy of its well-heeled residents.
The color purple cascades down the beautiful white facades on Sumner Place and covers the brick houses on Elm Place.
It’s worth walking around and exploring the side streets to see the best of it. You can do my self-guided South Kensington walk and Chelsea walk to take in the highlights.
4. Battersea
Across the river in Battersea, the wall around St Mary’s Church looks lovely in purple. The wisteria vines add a great splash of spring color to the top of the bricks, and wind their way around the iron gate at the entrance to the churchyard.
5. Peckham Rye Park
In south London, Peckham Rye Park has a gorgeous wisteria pergola in the Sexby Garden. The purple blossoms hang off the wood in clouds, and the whole place smells like heaven.
This is a popular place for photo shoots in the spring, so make sure to arrive early if you want to have the setting to yourself.
London Wisteria
I hope this guide has inspired you to get out and see the wisteria in London when it blooms. It’s a magical time of year, but a fleeting one. Make sure you see it before it’s gone.
Even after scouring London for traces of purple, I’m sure there’s more wisteria to be found. Have you seen wisteria worth admiring in the city? Leave a comment and tell me where!
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32 Comments on Lady’s 5 Beautiful Places to See Wisteria in London
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Ohhh so that’s what those flowers are called! I’ve been referring to wisteria as ‘droopy lilac things that look like grapes’. Now I know! I’ve been seeing lots of wisteria growing on walls and it actually makes me stop and stare – coming from a tropical country, these flowers are few and rare. Blessed spring! Thank you for adding a notch to my botanic knowledge! x
Jasiminne
You’re welcome! I love your nickname for them!
The best wisteria in Kensington (and possibly London) covers the entire front of a house in Bedford Gardens. It can be seen from Kensington Church Street, and is very close to The Churchill Arms pub. It’s in bloom right now.
Nice! Thanks!
When can I move into the house on Sumner Place? I love these London townhouses, especially when covered in wisteria.
Same here!
I have also become obsessed w/ wisteria since moving to London from the US. I walk by my favourite examples of it in my neighbourhood every day to see if the blooms are even bigger or if they’re starting to fall away. The house across the street is in full force!
That’s great! I’m glad you share my obsession!
I love Wisteria – I’m in full agreement with Julie, I’ve become obsessed since moving from the US! I see quite a bit of it in West Kensington and it’s my favourite part of my walk home from the station, seeing all the pretty blooms.
That’s great! Seems like a lot of us American expats feel the same way about it!
These are some wonderful wisteria photos. I love the heady scent of the racines. Also enjoying seeing the lilacs in bloom now: London is a veritable splash of purples at the moment!
Yeah, that’s true!
Ahhh, wisteria, it always makes me smile as it means summer is on the way! Great photos!!
Yeah, I’m so excited for summer. Glad you like the photos!
These are such beautiful flowers. I’ll be in London the last weekend of May — do you think they’ll still be in bloom then?
Yeah, I think some of them will still be in bloom then!
So lovely! And I bet the fragrance is just delicious!
Yeah!
Such beautiful flowers, and shame on me – they’re some of my favourite flowers and I didn’t even know what they were called. 🙂
Haha, glad you know now!
Oh my gosh this post has filled me with so much happiness!!! Who knew there was so much wisteria in one city!? You found ALL the wisteria and photographed it beautifully! You should definitely win some kind of prize =)
xo
Thanks!
There’s a gorgeous wysteria on a house around the corner from us, I love walking by it! We used to have one on our porch in NY, but it got so invasive it sadly had to be chopped.
That’s too bad you had to chop it in NY, but I’m glad you’re enjoying it now!
I do think that West London is the prettiest in spring time with all the flowers and blossoms in bloom. Love your pictures.
Thanks! Yeah, west London is really pretty at this time of year!
Such lovely pics! I’m moving to UK in a couple of months and probably I’ll have to find my best spot to admire those charming flowers! Thanks for sharing your fave spot! :))
You’re welcome!
Lovely photos 🙂
Sexby gardens in Peckham rye park , the pergola rains with wisteria in May…
More of a hidden spot
That sounds great! Thanks for the tip!
The Fullers brewery in Chiswick has the oldest Wisteria in Britain. Planted in 1816 Kew Gardens wisteria is a cutting from Fullers. 🙂
Nice!