York House Gardens - Image 1

York House Gardens

Twickenham, United Kingdom•4.7(1.1k)•Botanical Garden, City Park, Heritage Site

Explore historic gardens dating back to the 17th century, featuring a restored Japanese garden, sunken lawn, and riverside statuary in central Twickenham.

York House Gardens is a historic park spanning centuries of design and heritage, located on Sion Road in Twickenham. The gardens date back to the 17th century and were previously owned by Indian industrialist Sir Ratan Tata, whose influence shaped many of the distinctive features visitors can enjoy today. The grounds showcase a variety of notable attractions including a restored Japanese garden, a sunken lawn to the rear of the house, and decorative sea nymph statuary positioned near the riverside. These carefully preserved features offer families a peaceful outdoor setting with cultural and historical significance. Visitors can easily access York House Gardens via Twickenham station or multiple local bus routes (33, 110, 290, 490, H22, 267, 281, R68, and R70). The park is free to enter and dog-friendly, making it suitable for families with pets. Please note that facilities are minimal, with a pissoir available but no standard toilets. The gardens are locked at night, so visitors should check the council's parks opening times before planning their visit.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Opening Hours

Monday: 07:30 – 21:30
Tuesday: 07:30 – 21:30
Wednesday: 07:30 – 21:30
Thursday: 07:30 – 21:30
Friday: 07:30 – 21:30
Saturday: 07:30 – 21:30
Sunday: 09:00 – 21:30

Venue Details

Venue Type

Outdoor

Typical visit duration

All day

Booking

Walk-in

What this place offers

ToiletsToilets
Public transportPublic transport nearby
Accessible toilets
Free WiFi
Baby changingBaby changing facilities
Food available
On-site parking
🐕Dog-friendly
Parking nearby
Pushchair friendlyPushchair friendly

Google Reviews

4.7(1.1k reviews)
S
shekar mantri

shekar mantri

3 months ago

A pleasant spot that’s worth a short visit. It has interesting history, much like many places across the UK , and features en elevated riverside walk with railing that offers a nice view and along side you have plenty of benches to sit. I learned that the property once belonged to Ratan Tata , although his name is unfortunately misspelled on one of the main displays by Richmond council. The entire visit takes no more than 30 mins , making it a quick but meaningful stop.

T
Tim Husain

Tim Husain

4 months ago

Stunning building and grounds. Nice riverside location. Gardens are beautiful and a nice peaceful walk. Well worth a visit.

R
Rene'e Renee

Rene'e Renee

5 months ago

Beautiful little wak around . Peaceful area with plenty of places to sit and take in the views .

D
David W

David W

10 months ago

These gardens are definitely worth a visit - there are many separate sections and a surprise awaits around every corner. It is in two sections, linked by a bridge across a road called Riverside. The part away from the river contains impressively landscaped gardens, while the part by the river (marked as Fountain Gardens on Google Maps) includes an impressive fountain with magnificent statuary, as well as a promenade by the river.

W
W W Howe

W W Howe

a year ago

Free to visit park near Twickenham. The park is split into two areas, one next to the river Thames offering lovely views up and down the river and plenty of benches to sit. Just behind there are enclosed gardens with borders if hedges,flowers and in one part a central area with rise bushes that must give a lovely burst of colour in their peak season. There is also a wonderful water feature that once belonged to the financier Whitaker Wright and later to the Indian merchant prince Ratan Tata. It depicts sea nymphs from Greek mythology,it really is quite something. There is a lovely ornate footbridge that takes you over to the other part of the park. There is a wooded area and a large open lawn,lovely for a picnic plus there is a lovely setting with ponds,ornate trees and a sculpture. Twickenham Riverside has pubs and restaurants if you're in need of a drink or something to eat. I'm not sure about parking as I was parked at Marble Hill and had taken a stroll along the Thames path.

Reviews last updated: 29 September 2026

Events at York House Gardens

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This venue was last updated on 28 September 2026

Frequently asked questions about York House Gardens

Is York House Gardens free to visit?

Entry to York House Gardens is completely free — there are no admission charges, making it a great no-cost option for a family day out.

Is York House Gardens dog-friendly?

Yes, dogs are welcome at York House Gardens.

Is there parking at York House Gardens?

York House Gardens doesn't have on-site parking, but parking is available nearby.

Is there food at York House Gardens?

York House Gardens doesn't have food on site — bring snacks or grab something nearby.

Is York House Gardens pushchair-friendly?

Yes, York House Gardens is pushchair, pram and buggy friendly — most areas are step-free so you can navigate easily with little ones in tow.

How long should we plan to spend at York House Gardens?

York House Gardens is a full-day experience — plan accordingly.

How do I get to York House Gardens by public transport?

York House Gardens is well-served by public transport.

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