After what feels like an endless winter and spring finally approaches, cherry blossoms bloom again and here are some of the best spots to see the pink flowers in the UK
Cherry Blossom is a welcome sign of spring in the UK, with trees blooming and pink petals falling, causing colour to start re-emerging across the country.
Whilst the blossom can bloom at different times depending on the weather and location, most of the common cherry trees in the UK come to life in April. The tradition of seeing cherry trees is most strongly tied to the history and culture of Japan, dating back at least 1,000 years. Known as ‘Hanami’, the tradition involves going to view the trees in bloom — which is an experience now enjoyed by people across the world.
Ultimately, Japan has some of the best cherry blossom destinations, but there are many other locations across the globe and in the UK where you can enjoy the spring flowers. Here are some of the top locations in the UK:
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Greenwich Park, London
Greenwich Park hill has long been loved for its views of the Observatory and Planetarium. Head there in the spring and follow the vehicular Blackheath Avenue until a perpendicular footpath on the right branches off towards Ranger’s House and the rose garden to find a Japanese-style blossom tunnel.
Battersea Park
Located in south London, Battersea Park has an elegant walkway bordered with cherry blossoms. As you walk along the path, you’ll be surrounded by pink as the blossoms fill your vision. The park also offers many different areas to explore and a path alongside the Thames.
Kew Gardens
Until April 6, visitors at Kew Gardens can participate in Sounds of Blossom in collaboration with the Royal College of Music. Sounds of Blossom brings the park’s spring blooms to life, with compositions from music students at the college played around the Gardens in Kew’s blossom hotspots.
The Meadows, Edinburgh
Looking up toward Arthur’s Seat, The Meadows in Edinburgh offers a couple of avenues of cherry blossoms to explore in the spring. Adding to the scenic city, this park is a nice escape from the streets and tourists heading to the Scottish capital’s hotspots.
Pittencrief Park, Dunfermline
Each year, a central pathway in Pittencrieff Park, in Scotland, bursts into bright pink. The path from the Louise Carnegie Gates to the Andrew Carnegie statue features several trees that bloom. Visitors can enjoy the scenic park and its history while wandering underneath a canopy of blossoms.
Alexandra Gardens, Cardiff
Located behind City Hall, Alexandra Gardens in Cardiff bursts into pink during the spring. The gardens also feature formal lawns with island flower beds and trees. The Welsh National War Memorial is a scenic backdrop to the flowering blossoms, with a circular structure of Portland stone.
Keele University, Staffordshire
Keele University has been planting flowering cherries since the first ornamental grounds were laid out in the late 1940s. Since then more flowering cherries have been added around the university’s campus, to the extent that in the spring the campus comes alive with blossom. Currently the university has around 240 species and varieties.
National Trust’s Dyffryn Gardens, Wales
Dyffryn Gardens in Wales is home to a wide range of flowers including rhododendrons and azaleas, as well as cherry blossoms. During the National Lottery Open Week, there are also a number of events for visitors to celebrate spring, including a self-led Blossom Watch and creative kits of how to take great photos of the blossom.
Historic Royal Palace’s Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s royal residence bursts into bright colour as spring emerges. The woodlands and meadows of the castle not only feature delicate cherry blossoms but also daffodils, snowdrops, and bluebells. The walled garden, in particular, has been restored, and visitors will be able to find cherry blossoms and tulips.
RHS Rosemoor, Devon
RHS Rosemoor in Devon boasts a range of blossom trees including the smaller Fuji cherries, which are native to Japan and are the first to bloom. These trees are located in the gardens’ Stone Garden, and elsewhere at the site, in Lady Anne’s Garden, there are other types of cherry trees that will bloom later in the season.
Castlefield Basin, Bridgewater Canal Tow Path, Manchester
Canals are usually pretty places to go for a walk, but the Bridgewater Canal Tow Path in Manchester also features a number of cherry blossoms that bloom in the spring. Wander along the canal to see the pink blooms clash against Manchester’s historic red brick, with Beetham Tower in the background.
Manchester Cathedral
Manchester Cathedral is a nice spot to visit throughout the year, but the Gothic architectural marval is also surrounded by pink cherry blossom trees. The trees are accompanied by a pristinely landscaped garden and the Glade of Light memorial.
The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland
The Cherry Orchard at The Alnwick Garden has the largest collection of ‘Taihaku’ in the world. With 329 trees, they bloom at the same time for up to two weeks, around the end of April/beginning of May.
