Among London’s parks, pavements and forgotten corners grow some of Britain’s most remarkable trees. From ancient yews to towering redwoods and spring cherry blossoms, London’s treescape is richer than many realise.
Ilex Studio’s beautifully illustrated Great Trees of London map offers a new lens on the city, plotting a route via 50 outstanding trees.
Here are just a few highlights to inspire your next visit.
Where can you find London's must-see trees?
Totteridge Yew, Totteridge, North London
Listed in our brief history of Britain’s ancient yews, the Totteridge Yew could be 2,000 years old, technically making it the oldest living thing in London.
The Royal Oak, Richmond Park
Estimated to be about 750 years old, the Royal Oak at Richmond Park is one of the most magnificent of the park’s plentiful ancient oaks. It’s also a wonderful place to visit if you want to see deer as they’re known to roam in abundance.
The Victorian Plane, Berkeley Square
The plane is considered London’s iconic tree, with one called Barney being the oldest example in London at a mere 350 years old. We’ve picked out a Victorian plane in the heart of Mayfair that also happened to feature in our most famous trees of the UK round-up.
How about London's lesser-known trees?
Japanese Yoshino Cherry Blossoms, Herne Hill
Cherry blossoms aren’t only beautiful splashes of colour; they can briefly whisk us away to Japan when they bloom in spring. Two roads in Herne Hill are lined with Yoshino cherries and fly under the radar in comparison to more popular cherry blossom spots like Greenwich Park or Notting Hill.
View London’s Yoshino cherry blossoms
Giant Redwood, New Cross Gate
New Cross Gate’s landmark tree stands precariously next to the station, almost dwarfing everything around it. Here’s hoping any industrial developments within the area work around it, not against it.
Whether you're a Londoner or a visitor, the Great Trees of London map offers a peaceful and reflective way to explore the city at your own pace.
View the Great Trees of London to see the rest of London's must-see trees
- What's the tallest tree in the UK? The towering record breaker that's still growing
- This tree is one of the most toxic in the world, with just 50g of foliage able to kill a human within hours
- 8 of the world's most dangerous trees – including the exploding 'dynamite tree' that fires seeds at speeds up to 160mph
