South Bank's Best Kept Secret
The Garden Museum explores and celebrates British gardens and gardening through its permanent collection, temporary exhibitions and a lush courtyard garden designed by famed garden designer Dan Pearson OBE.
In addition to the beautiful flora and wonderfully atmospheric historic surrounds, there's a permanent display of paintings, tools and other historic artifacts related to gardening on display. Whether you are an enthusiastic amateur gardener, more of a specialist or just someone with a passion for historic spaces, the museum has something for you.
The award-winning Garden Cafe is another major reason to pay a visit. This acclaimed restaurant serves modern-British cuisine with a regularly changing menu that uses the best seasonal produce available locally. The setting is an elegant contemporary pavilion and at the helm is head chef Myles Donaldson, a veteran of some of London's most celebrated modern British restaurants including St. John Bread & Wine and Noble Rot.
The museum also has a small museum shop selling a range of books themed around gardening, flowers, garden design and horticultural history. There are also some lovely botanical-themed gift cards and prints as well as prettily packaged giftable heirloom seed packets. Foodies will love the chance to get their hands on former Garden Cafe head chef George Ryle's cookbook A Year in the Kitchen.
The Garden Museum is located next door to Lambeth Palace (the private residence of the Archbishop of Cantebury), a ten-minute walk from Vauxhall, Westminster and Lambeth North stations.
