Credit: pcruciatti, Shutterstock
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Staff Writer
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21 April, 2026
If you’ve ever fancied having a peek behind the curtain hedge of one of the capital city’s most exclusive green spaces, you might want to listen up. Because this year’s London Open Gardens festival is rapidly approaching, and 10 Downing Street has confirmed that it’ll be swinging open (its usually firmly locked and bolted) gates for the occasion.
That’s right, folks – some very lucky Londoners will soon be invited to have a nosey around the gorgeous green space that hides behind the Prime Minister’s pad. Two extremely exclusive tours will be taking place on Saturday, June 6. But with just 24 spaces available on each tour; the competition is going to be pretty darn fierce, to say the least. The sought-after spots will be allocated by ballot, which is already open to enter. So, what are you waiting for?
Credit: Number 10 via Wikimedia Commons
The garden at 10 Downing Street
Constructed back in 1736, 10 Downing Street’s half-acre horticultural haven features an open lawn that comes complete with some rather ravishing rose-beds (which were commissioned by none other than Margaret Thatcher herself). The Prime Minister’s private garden is also home to a big old statue of the influential artist and sculptor, Barbara Hepworth.
During the tours, there will be gardeners on hand to answer any questions regarding the garden and share their wisdom on its wildlife and sustainability. The ballot-winners will get to spend their time gawping at the gorgeous greenery (and gloating about the fact that they are one of less than 50 people that get to do so).
Credit: Number 10 via Wikimedia Commons
If, however, you aren’t successful in the Downing Street ballot, fear not. The London Open Gardens event features over 120 other fancy gardens for you to have a snoop around. The majority of them are usually completely off-limits to the public, so this is a very rare opportunity to see inside some super swanky green spaces.
The tours of 10 Downing Street’s garden will be taking place at 11.30am and 1.30pm on Saturday, June 6 as part of the London Open Gardens event. There are just 24 spaces available on each tour, and visitors must be 12 years or over. The ballot is open now and closes at 11.30am on Tuesday, May 5. Find out more and enter the ballot here.