London Hidden Treasure: Kensington Roof Gardens
One of London's best kept secrets is the Kensington Roof Gardens. Still known to Londoners as Derry and Tom's, the gardens were laid out atop a department store in the mid-1930s. The gardens -- which cover 1-½ acres -- comprise the largest roof garden in Europe.There are Spanish (based on the Alhambra in Granada), English Woodland -- with 30 species of trees -- and Tudor style gardens. And now, a hot nightclub and award-winning restaurant.
Sir Richard Branson of Virgin fame, bought the gardens in 1981 and recently renovated the whole complex.
If you can scare up a party of 10, you can reserve a table at one of the Friday or Saturday night summer barbecues in the Tudor Gardens. Dine surrounded by lush vegetation and exotic fauna, then head to the nightclub for a night of dancing. Or make reservations to dine at Babylon, the dining room that boasts some of the best views in town.
To snag a coveted terrace table, show up for a late lunch. On weekdays, they do a barbecue from noon to 3PM. The 7th-floor views of the city at sunset are unbeatable spot for a cocktail.
You can visit the gardens unless there's a private event. To avoid disappointment, call 020.7937.7994 during business hours or 020.7368.3993 on weekends. Enter from a door on Derry Street marked 99 Kensington High Street.
For more information, visit http://www.roofgardens.com/home_flash
