Isabella Plantation: a colourful escape from Central London

The Isabella Plantation had been on my list of places to visit for a while, and once I did, I was only sorry I hadn’t got there sooner. This beautiful 40-acre woodland garden is set within a Victorian plantation established in the 1830’s. And in the spring it’s a riot of colour.

As I live in Surrey, the Isabella Plantation is just a 30-minute bus journey from home. For visitors to Central London, it’s a great place to escape from the city. Sitting within Richmond Park, the garden is particularly known for its azaleas and rhododendron. But there are also magnolias, camellias, and other unusual trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.

Ponds and streams flow throughout the Isabella Plantation, so as well as gorgeous plants and trees, you’ll also find some lovely ducks. My friend and I spotted a Mandarin Duck and a pair of Mallards. There was also a protective new mum in the water with eight ducklings. She was herding them under some leaves for shade, as it was a very hot day.

When I visited in May, the plants at the Isabella Plantation were in full bloom, but it wasn’t busy. Or perhaps it’s big enough that it doesn’t feel too crowded. Refurbishment has improved the surfaces of paths and bridges, and more benches have been installed, so it’s easy to walk around. And there are four colour-coded trails of varying lengths that you can follow. Large signage boards show the trails and layout of the garden. Take a photo, and you can refer back if you go off track.

To get to Isabella Plantation, the nearest bus routes are the No 85 and K3, which both stop at Warren Road. From here it’s a 10-minute walk through Richmond Park to High Wood Gate or slightly longer to Broomfield Hill Gate. If driving, there are two car parks close to the entrances to the garden. Peg’s Pond car park is specifically for people with disabilities, while the larger Broomfield Hill car park also has a cafe.

There are also plenty of lovely spots to sit and enjoy your own food and drink inside the Isabella Plantation. I saw two groups had gathered to do just that in the secluded Thomson’s Lawn. It looked like the perfect place for a picnic on a sunny May afternoon.

For more posts about places to visit and things to do in London, visit the London section of my blog.