Historic 10 Downing Street Garden Welcomes Public for Exclusive Summer Access
For one special day this summer, Londoners will have an unprecedented opportunity to explore the normally private garden at 10 Downing Street. The prestigious green space, which has served as the backdrop for historic political discussions and is currently home to Larry the cat, will open its gates to the public as part of the annual London Open Gardens event in June 2026.
Rare Access to Prime Minister's Private Garden
The 2026 edition of London Open Gardens will feature guided tours of the Prime Minister's garden, offering visitors a unique glimpse into this historically significant space. Two exclusive tours are scheduled for Saturday, June 6, at 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM, with only 24 spots available per session. Visitors must be at least 12 years old to attend, while ballot entrants must be 18 or older.
This marks a rare opportunity to see the garden where Winston Churchill conducted wartime discussions and where current Prime Minister Keir Starmer now hosts official functions. Beyond political history, the garden features notable horticultural and artistic elements, including rose beds originally commissioned by Margaret Thatcher and a bronze sculpture by renowned artist Barbara Hepworth.
How to Secure Your Spot
Access to the Downing Street garden will be determined through a free ballot system, separate from the main London Open Gardens ticket. The ballot closes on Tuesday, May 5, at 11:30 PM, and interested participants can enter without purchasing a general admission ticket for the wider event.
However, those who do purchase the full London Open Gardens ticket, priced at £26.15 plus a £2.15 booking fee, will gain access to 120 additional private gardens across London during the weekend of June 6-7. These hidden green spaces range from community allotments and urban farms to historic luxury gardens typically inaccessible to the public.
Expanded Garden Access Across London
The London Open Gardens event promises to reveal some of the city's most exclusive green spaces, many of which are normally concealed behind buildings or locked gates. Among the highly anticipated openings are:
- The rooftop garden at 30 Cannon Street, offering spectacular views of St. Paul's Cathedral (requires an additional ticket)
- Bedford Square Gardens, a beautifully preserved Georgian garden square usually hidden behind iron fencing
- Numerous private residential gardens, community spaces, and institutional green areas
Ticket sales directly support the London Parks & Gardens charity, which works to maintain and preserve these valuable green spaces throughout the city. The event represents a significant fundraising opportunity for the organization while providing unprecedented public access to London's hidden horticultural treasures.
A Growing Tradition of Garden Openings
London Open Gardens has become an increasingly popular annual event, drawing attention to the city's diverse and often overlooked green spaces. The inclusion of 10 Downing Street's garden represents a particularly notable expansion of the program, bringing political history into conversation with horticultural appreciation.
The event continues to grow in scope and popularity each year, reflecting Londoners' enduring fascination with the city's hidden spaces and their desire to connect with both natural environments and historical landmarks in new ways.
