London’s springtime garden bounty: 60% of London listings boast outdoor space

Spring is in the air and the property market is heating up. And the latest research from Benham and Reeves suggests London buyers hoping to enjoy the warmer months in their own garden have a decent chance of fulfilling their aspirations, as almost 60% of homes currently listed for sale across the capital offer private outdoor space.

For many spring and summer homebuyers, outdoor space is a key priority. This is especially true for those purchasing in the heart of the capital where, despite London’s abundance of public green space, there remains a strong appeal in having a private garden to enjoy.

Benham and Reeves have analysed property listings data* and found that 59% of the 81,525 properties currently for-sale across London have a garden.

In some boroughs, especially those outside of London’s immediate centre, the chances of finding a home with outdoor space are even better.

In Havering, 78% of the 1,575 homes currently on the market include a garden, while Bromley follows closely with 77% of listings offering outdoor space.

Gardens also feature in at least 70% of listings in Richmond upon Thames (75%), Redbridge (74%), Bexley (73%), Sutton (72%), Enfield (71%), Waltham Forest (71%), Croydon (70%), Kingston upon Thames (70%), Harrow (70%), Barnet (70%), Merton (70%), and Hillingdon (70%).

However buyers searching in more central boroughs could face a tougher challenge when looking for a home with a garden.

The City of London has the lowest proportion, with just 33% of listings featuring a garden. Hackney follows at 36%, with Tower Hamlets close behind at 37%.

Other boroughs where fewer than half of current listings include a garden are Westminster (41%), Islington (43%), Camden (45%), and Southwark (48%).

Director of Benham and Reeves, Marc von Grundherr, commented:

“London’s property market is incredibly diverse and this is clearly reflected in the availability of garden space across the capital.

In more central and northern boroughs, buyers face a far tougher challenge when it comes to securing a home with a garden. These areas tend to be far more densely built-up, with a higher proportion of flats and apartments, which naturally limits the availability of private outdoor space.

However, as you move further south and into many outer boroughs, the housing stock shifts more towards traditional family homes. As a result, buyers are far more likely to find properties with gardens, making these areas particularly attractive for those who place a premium on private outdoor space.

The importance of outdoor space has also been significantly heightened since the pandemic. Covid changed how people view their homes and many buyers and tenants now place far greater value on having somewhere private to sit outside, relax, or simply get some fresh air. The experience of extended periods indoors means that far fewer people are willing to compromise on this aspect of a property.

While proximity to central London remains a major draw, the trade-off is often space, and this is something buyers need to weigh up carefully when deciding where to focus their search.”