Thanks to my friend Kate, I stumbled upon a magical spot in London that I had no idea existed. Kate bought me a book about Hidden London, and while I was skeptical at first—what could there possibly be in London that I don’t already know about?!?—I was quickly proven wrong. Just thirty seconds from Hampstead Heath is the Hill Garden and Pergola, a truly hidden gem that you could walk right past without even knowing it. But trust me, you’ll be glad you made the effort to find it. Hang tight, people, because here we go!

What is Hampstead’s Hill Garden & Pergola like?

The Pergola is a spectacular place, with roses wrapping around columns and plants climbing wooden structures, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The views are to die for, and there’s a real sense of calm that’s hard to find in the hustle and bustle of London. My words won’t do it justice, so just look at the pics and go see it for yourself!

Where is Hampstead’s Hill Garden & Pergola?

The Hill Garden and Pergola is located in Hampstead, London. It’s about a 17-minute walk from Hampstead Station. Turn from N End Way into Inverforth Close, and you won’t believe your eyes when it opens up out of nowhere!

I first discovered this enchanting spot with my friend Kate in 2016. We had this Hidden London book and would explore the city every weekend! Check out the photos—I still adore the Topshop dress I wore on that first visit!

When to Visit: The Best Times for the Hill Garden & Pergola

Rose season (June/July) is undoubtedly the best time to visit. You can see I got vastly different weather on my visits, but I still love the shots. Having an archive to look back on is wonderful, so I really recommend revisiting your camera roll over the summer.

How much is it to visit Hill Garden & Pergola

It is free to visit the Hill Garden & Pergola but you need to pay for professional shoots. Check the current opening times and information here.

A Taylor Swift Connection with Hampstead

In my quest for Taylor Swift London content, I visited Hampstead because the area is name-checked in a few of her songs. The pergola, with its climbing roses, is a romantic and picturesque spot, and the hill garden offers stunning views.

When I first visited years ago, it was a proper hidden spot. Now, it’s more well-known but still retains its charm. I highly recommend visiting during the summer months for peak rose season.

Most Instagrammable Spots at Hill Garden and Pergola:

1 – The bench at the halfway point with climbing roses

2 – A sweeping shot down the walkway

3 – Looking out over the gardens

4 – Perching on the edge of the wall with the structure in the background

5 – Take a friend and pose together using a mini tripod.

Here are places to visit after the Hill Garden and Pergola:

Kenwood House & Hampstead Heath

Heaven is a place on earth! Well to be specific about it, the gardens are! Actually to be even more technical, the gardens are absolutely beautiful in the month of May. The walls of colourful rhododendrons are stunning in Spring and make one of the most dramatic gardens I’ve ever seen. We’re talking delicate white and blush pinks to hot fuchsia and onto pretty corals, bright orange and lemon shades, highlighted by purple making the most fabulous rainbow of colours.

And that’s just the garden because Kenwood House rises in the background, all white, elegant and composed with the grounds stretching out around it. You can go in the house if you want, but I prefer to head to the cafes, have a scone or cup of tea and hang around in the gardens. It’s situated in the delightful Hampstead Heath so lovely to wander around in the leafy surroundings. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon stroll!

Holly Bush

This hidden quaint little pub is just off the beaten track but still only 5 minutes away from Hampstead Heath. It’s certainly picturesque with pretty hanging baskets filled with flowers adding a pop of colour to the white walls. Inside its cosy and perfect for a Sunday roast piled high with gigantic Yorkshire pudding and generous helping of vegetables (served in a side dish). All polished off with a nice summer cider – ahh bliss. Taylor Swift has been here…I’d love to know what she ordered!

Burgh House

Just behind the main high street in Hampstead is Burgh House a historic place with beautiful gardens and this delightful cafe. The gardens were absolutely lovely and we sat outside at wooden tables underneath a big umbrella. The gardens were full of scented roses and a robin was happily chirping nearby plus we could hear someone playing a piano inside the venue. The service was slow as it was a Sunday and extremely busy but the loose leaf tea and rich chocolate cake made up for it! Just an FYI, the Sunday roast looked pretty good too.

The Coffee Cup

A cute 1960s style coffee shop on Hampstead High Street with lovely pastries and incredible people watching.

Go see it for yourself and enjoy this slice of hidden paradise in the heart of London!

For more tips, check out my Instagram Like A Pro Book here.

Find more Instagrammable Flowers and Gardens in London here.