Transport for LondonBarclays Cycle Hire / Leisure routes / London's secret gardens
London's secret gardens
Images of secret squares and gardens are tempting to many. Yet, most of them go largely un-noticed, overshadowed by grander tourist destinations. The tranquillity and calm they offer are a welcome break from the whirlwind that life in London can be. Whilst with some parks you only get a sneaky glimpse from the gate, others are open to everyone seven days a week.
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6.7 mi (10.7 km)
1 hour 5 mins approx
Royal Avenue, Chelsea
Route breakdown
Holland ParkUndock a bike from Ladbroke Grove Central Docking station and head North, down the hill taking the third left on to Elgin Crescent.
Turn left on to Rosmead Road where you will catch a glimpse of Rosmead Garden as featured in popular film, Notting Hill then take the right on to Lansdowne Road.
Then take the first left on to Lansdowne Rise.
Continue right on Lansdowne Crescent and turn right on to Ladbroke Grove after St. John's Church.
Continue straight on Ladbroke Grove and at the traffic lights dismount your bike.
You'll need to walk across the road and turn right on Holland Park Avenue. Turn left on Holland Walk.
Follow the path uphill and take the right turn in to Holland Park. This is a good place to leave your cycle hire bike. There's no cycling allowed inside the park.
- Ladbroke Grove - Undock a bike from Ladbroke Grove Central Docking station and head North, down the hill taking the third left on to Elgin Crescent.
- Rosmead Gardens - Turn left on to Rosmead Road where you will catch a glimpse of Rosmead Garden as featured in popular film, Notting Hill then take the right on to Lansdowne Road.
- Landsdowne Rise - Then take the first left on to Lansdowne Rise.
- Ladbroke Grove - Continue right on Lansdowne Crescent and turn right on to Ladbroke Grove after St. John's Church.
- Ladbroke Grove - Continue straight on Ladbroke Grove and at the traffic lights dismount your bike.
- Holland Walk - You'll need to walk across the road and turn right on Holland Park Avenue. Turn left on Holland Walk.
- Holland Park - Follow the path uphill and take the right turn in to Holland Park. This is a good place to leave your cycle hire bike. There's no cycling allowed inside the park.
Once inside the park you'll need to turn to the right.
Shortly afterwards take the turn to the left and walk straight ahead to Kyoto Gardens.
- Holland Park - Once inside the park you'll need to turn to the right.
- Kyoto Gardens - Shortly afterwards take the turn to the left and walk straight ahead to Kyoto Gardens.
Double back on yourself so you return to Holland Walk.
Continue down Holland Walk and turn left on to the Kensington High Street.
Cycle cautiously down the Kensington High Street. Take the left turn just before the Royal Garden Hotel. You may need to walk your bike past the security gates here.
Take the first road on the right, cycle past the small car park and in to Hyde Park.
- Holland Walk - Double back on yourself so you return to Holland Walk.
- Kensington High Street - Continue down Holland Walk and turn left on to the Kensington High Street.
- Royal Garden Hotel - Cycle cautiously down the Kensington High Street. Take the left turn just before the Royal Garden Hotel. You may need to walk your bike past the security gates here.
- Hyde Park - Take the first road on the right, cycle past the small car park and in to Hyde Park.
Carefully cycle straight ahead along the path through Hyde Park.
Once you reach the road take a left and continue on the cycle path next to the pavement.
After checking out the Pet Cemetery, follow the road inside Hyde Park as it curves to the right.
Leave the road and take the right turn, past the docking station and Speaker's Corner. Follow the cycle path as it cuts down through Hyde Park.
Stay on the cycle path as it curves round to the right.
Take the left turn on the cross roads which will take you out of Hyde Park. You'll cross the sandy path allocated to horse riders.
At the traffic lights cross straight ahead and use the cycle lane on King William Street. Stay on this road straight ahead as it becomes Lowndes Square and then Lowndes Street.
Lowndes Street will become Chesham Street and you'll need to turn down Lyall Street.
Turn right on to Eaton Square and follow it until Sloane Square.
Take the third exit, straight over the roundabout at Sloane Square. Cycle down Kings Road.
Dock your cycle hire bike at Royal Avenue. From here you can choose to walk towards Chelsea Physic Garden. Use Royal Avenue, take a right on Leonard Terrace and then left on Ormonde Gate. At the end of Ormonde take the right turn down and follow it to the Chelsea Physic Garden.
- Hyde Park cycle path - Carefully cycle straight ahead along the path through Hyde Park.
- Hyde Park cycle path - Once you reach the road take a left and continue on the cycle path next to the pavement.
- Pet Cemetery - After checking out the Pet Cemetery, follow the road inside Hyde Park as it curves to the right.
- Speakers Corner - Leave the road and take the right turn, past the docking station and Speaker's Corner. Follow the cycle path as it cuts down through Hyde Park.
- Hyde Park cycle path - Stay on the cycle path as it curves round to the right.
- Hyde Park exit - Take the left turn on the cross roads which will take you out of Hyde Park. You'll cross the sandy path allocated to horse riders.
- Lowdnes Street - At the traffic lights cross straight ahead and use the cycle lane on King William Street. Stay on this road straight ahead as it becomes Lowndes Square and then Lowndes Street.
- Lyall Street - Lowndes Street will become Chesham Street and you'll need to turn down Lyall Street.
- Sloane Square - Turn right on to Eaton Square and follow it until Sloane Square.
- Kings Road - Take the third exit, straight over the roundabout at Sloane Square. Cycle down Kings Road.
- Chelsea Physic Garden - Dock your cycle hire bike at Royal Avenue. From here you can choose to walk towards Chelsea Physic Garden. Use Royal Avenue, take a right on Leonard Terrace and then left on Ormonde Gate. At the end of Ormonde take the right turn down and follow it to the Chelsea Physic Garden.
*Route supplied by the London Cyclist Blog
