London’s ‘most luxurious’ secret garden is reopening — with strict rule for visitors

Summer is well on its way, so many Londoners will be on the lookout for the best places to drink and dine al fresco.

Metro recently shared the capital’s best terrace for cocktails in the sunshine, but if it’s a garden you’re after, there are plenty of green spots to enjoy.

And for those who are especially bougie, one of the city’s fanciest secret gardens is about to reopen to the public. 

Here’s everything you need to know about it…

Where is London’s ‘most luxurious’ secret garden?

Located at The Ritz in London, the garden is quite literally called The Secret Garden.

The iconic five-star hotel is often hailed as one of the world’s ‘most luxurious’ places to stay and has regularly been crowned the best hotel in Europe. And its outside space is just as special as the inside.

It only opens at certain times of the year, and for 2026, the garden will be open once again from June 8. 

But to gain access, you’ll need to make sure you’re dressed correctly, as it has a dress code, which is smart casual.

On the hotel’s website, it states that ‘shorts, ripped jeans, trainers and sportswear are not permitted in any of the hotel’s restaurants or bars’.

If you’re wearing any of these, you won’t be allowed in – and they’re very strict about this rule.

What’s in the garden?

Inside the garden, The Ritz says you’ll find an ‘ethereal’ mix of flowers and grasses, with everything from hydrangeas to white wisteria. 

There’s also a water feature, and plenty of seating with parasols and canopies to protect guests from the sun.

And for those sitting in the garden as twilight approaches, there will be cashmere throws from Johnstons of Elgin available to keep you warm.

Designed by Marcus Barnett Studio and David Collins Studio, the garden is described as a ‘secluded oasis’ that’s inspired by quintessential English gardens.

What’s on the menu?

Guests can get to the garden through the hotel’s Arlington Street entrance, and anyone is able to visit, not just those staying at The Ritz.

The garden will be open daily throughout the summer (weather permitting), serving up a menu of cocktails, champagne, and wines, including the newly launched Ritz 120 cocktail, in celebration of the hotel’s 120th anniversary.

This drink combines Gold-Infused Belvedere Organic Vodka, Grand Marnier, The Newt English Ice Cyder, Manzana Verde, and Champagne Barons de Rothschild ‘Réserve Ritz’ Brut. 

The Ritz’s restaurant was named the UK’s best restaurant at the National Restaurant Awards earlier this year, and you’ll be able to try some of the ‘elevated fare’ in the garden. 

A selection of small plates, sandwiches, meat and fish dishes, and desserts will be available. Highlights include a Dorset Crab Brioche Roll, and the Red Mullet with Ratatouille and Bouillabaisse, while desserts range from The Ritz Vanilla Trifle to a Caramelised Banana and Chocolate Flan.

If that weren’t enough, there will also be live entertainment on Thursday and Friday evenings, all day Saturday, and Sunday lunchtime.

Reservations will be available daily from 11am to 11pm, but a visit here likely won’t come cheap. A menu isn’t available just yet online, but drinks in the hotel’s Rivoli Bar start from £25 for a cocktail, and food is also pricey, given the location.

What do visitors say about it?

Online, those who have visited the garden in previous years have hailed it as ‘beautiful’ and ‘worth every penny’ in reviews on Tripadvisor.

Michele D said: ‘Booked our daughter’s 30th birthday treat at The Secret Garden. It was a wonderful experience, and the staff treated her like a princess. They even bought out a small birthday cake for her, which was a lovely gesture.

‘The secret garden was a lovely location in the hotel grounds, kept warm in the evening with gas lanterns. Although the menu is expensive, you get what you pay for, and the overall experience was worth every penny.’

Similarly, Jim L shared: ‘We love the Rivoli Bar in the Ritz Hotel, London, so when we found out the Secret Garden was reopening, we had to visit as soon as possible. We were not disappointed; the food was excellent.

‘We had a lovely afternoon.’

Over on Instagram, people claimed the garden was ‘gorgeous’ and ‘superb’, and admitted they ‘can’t wait’ to visit.

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