The beautiful West London park that's far better than Hyde Park but only has a fraction of the visitors

-Credit:Amandajm
-Credit:Amandajm


It is almost common practice for Londoners to flock to Hyde Park when the sun makes an appearance, but it’s important to remind ourselves that it's not the only big park in the city. London is filled with lots of beautiful green spaces with a lot more to offer than a large, flat lawn. But many of these parks often go missed or unappreciated, even when the sun is in full force.

One park in West London offers far more than what you'd expect to see in Hyde Park, with only a fraction of the footfall. Terrace Gardens, in Richmond, is a beautiful, well tamed garden with rolling hills and stunning views over the River Thames.

The hidden space is best known for its brightly coloured seasonal bedding, shrubberies, rockery and rose garden, all set amongst tall trees and sloping lawns.

READ MORE: 'I visited the beautiful hidden park most people have never heard of you can find via secret steps'

The park offers stunning views over the River Thames -Credit:Peter Trimming
The park offers stunning views over the River Thames -Credit:Peter Trimming

One of the garden's centrepieces is a former fountain-turned pond sat in the middle of a late 19th century terrace, which overlooks the gardens at the head of the site. The round structure comes complete with a Portland stone statue of Aphrodite in the middle of it. It first appeared in 1952, known locally as ‘Bulbous Betty' and was believed to have caused outrage amongst the community as it was considered too 'scandalous and modern' for its time.

There's plenty of seating for visitors on the terrace, which is enclosed by brick balustrades, and offers views out into the rolling hills. On each side of the terrace are sloping paths leading up to an upper walkway, and after walking up a few stone steps, you'll stumble upon a small green-painted, Grade II listed kiosk known as the Park Keeper's Hut.

-Credit:Robin Webster
-Credit:Robin Webster

The park is also home to a series of charming, brick-built tunnels known as the 'Grotto Gate' connecting the Terrace Gardens to Bucclengh Gardens - another end of the park with stunning views overlooking the vastness of the Thames. The 18th century tunnel, with a rusticated centre arch, sits under Petersham Road.

There are lovely flower gardens populating the grounds, including a rose and lavender garden, as well as a glass house with formal planting for tulips in the spring and dahlias in the late summer.

If you're peckish, you can stop off at The Hollyhock Cafe, a vegetarian spot resembling a hut from a Brothers Grimm fairytale with gorgeous views over the green hills and River Thames.

-Credit:Amandajm
-Credit:Amandajm

Getting to the garden is fairly straightforward. Simply hop on the District Line, hop off at Richmond and take a 20 minute walk along Church Road until you reach the garden gates. According to Google, the Terrace Gardens are open every single day for 24 hours - so you can explore to your hearts content at any given hour this summer.

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