Growing up near to Wimbledon, I have had the pleasure of spending many days exploring Cannizaro Park. I’ve visited with family, friends, and ex’s – it is one of my favourite places to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and I love sharing it with people. A lot of people don’t even realise it’s there, as it’s on the far side of Wimbledon Common away from the village, with a fairly unassuming entrance.
History of Cannizaro Park
Before going into the details of what to see at Cannizaro Park, it’s worthwhile understanding its history. The park dates back to the 18th century, and was originally part of the Sicilian Duke of Cannizzaro’s estate. However he didn’t spend much time there, instead being based in Sicily with his mistress. His wife Sophia prided herself on the title of Duchess of Cannizzaro and kept the name until she died in 1841, with the estate being recorded under this name (although it has dropped a ‘z’ since).
The Wilson family who bought it in the 1920s were the greatest private contributors to the park. They maintained the beautiful gardens and introduced many rare and unusual plants still there today. Hilary, the daughter of the Wilson’s, sold the grounds 20 years after her parents’ death to Wimbledon Corporation and Surrey County Council for £40,000. The grounds included the park as it is today, plus Royal Wimbledon Golf Club and Cannizaro House (now Hotel Du Vin).
The park has been Grade II* listed as of 1987 and kept open for the public to enjoy.
What to see at Cannizaro Park
There are plenty of things to see at Cannizaro Park, and it is split into different areas. Here’s some of the things to hunt down!
Rose Garden
The Rose Garden is designed in a traditional, formal style. The layout of pathways allows visitors to stroll through and admire the flowers up close. The garden includes benches where visitors can sit and take in the sights and scents of the roses. This area is a bit more hidden towards the east side of the park but is worth scouting out, especially in summer when it’s in full bloom.
Sunken Garden
The Sunken Garden is next to Cannizaro House (pictured further down) and was created in the 1920’s to match those found at the best estates in London. Every year different vibrant flowers are planted in a symmetrical and structured layout. I love this part of the gardens as it’s so pretty! You can tell how much care and precision has gone into planting and maintaining the flowers.
Italian Garden
The Italian Garden still has an air of grandeur about it, despite not much being there anymore. The entrance to it can be found opposite the lake, through an iron gate. It’s where the kitchen garden would have been, providing Cannizaro House with fruit and veg as well as nearby houses. It’s surrounded by tall walls and there are different terraced levels and steps, a key feature inspired by Italian gardens.
Millennium Fountain
The Millennium Fountain was created at the park’s entrance following a national competition backed by the Royal Society of British Sculptors. As its name suggests, the Millennium Fountain was created to celebrate the beginning of the 21st century. It’s made from bronze, in a teapot-like shape with spouts and handles asymmetrically positioned. It is one of the first sights you see upon entering Cannizaro Park.
Herb Garden
The Herb Garden, created in 1984, features a wide variety of herbs. Some of the best-known ones include thyme, mint, coriander, lavender, rosemary, fennel, chamomile, and sage. This spot is tucked away in the corner behind the Sunken Garden, offering a peaceful setting with a couple of benches where you can sit and take in the surroundings. You can book onto seasonal talks held at the Herb Garden and find out more about the medicinal qualities that many herbs have.
Trees
Whilst I appreciate trees and everything they do for us, I’m certainly not an expert on them. But for anyone who is a dendrophile (thanks to Google for telling me this is the official name of a tree expert) there are over 200 species of tree to admire in Cannizaro Park. More than 30 of the trees have been recognised as ‘Champions’ for Greater London by The Tree Register of the British Isles (TROBI). This means that they are the tallest and/or have the thickest trunks of their species!
In addition, there are a number of trees noted as ‘Veterans’ by the Woodland Trust in their Ancient Tree Inventory (ATI). This means that they have some of the features found on an ‘Ancient’ tree but are not so old.
Cannizaro House
Cannizaro House is a Georgian mansion that looks out over the park, and was once the home of the Duke of Cannizzaro. Today, it is a boutique hotel called Hotel du Vin, with 48 individually designed rooms. I stayed here several years ago and it was a stylish experience. The Orangery has great views across the main lawn and is an airy, light-filled place to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner.
What’s near Cannizaro Park?
Adjacent to Cannizaro Park, Wimbledon Common is a large open space with woodlands and a pond. It is also home to Wimbledon Windmill Museum, offering insights into the history of windmills and their role in London’s past.
Just a short walk away is Wimbledon Village. You can make a day of it if you visit here too, as there’s plenty of cafes/restaurants/pubs to enjoy a meal, and a charming selection of boutique shops to browse.
A must-visit for tennis fans, the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum is located within the grounds of the All England Club, home to the world-famous Wimbledon Tennis Championships. You can explore the history of tennis and even take a tour of the iconic tennis courts.
Getting to Cannizaro Park / Parking at Cannizaro Park
Cannizaro Park is situated adjacent to Wimbledon Common and West Side Common, two other popular green spaces in the area. The main entrance is on West Side Common next to Hotel Du Vin.
For those travelling by public transport, Wimbledon Station is the nearest station and is served by both London Underground and British Rail. From the station, visitors can take the 93 bus and it’s less than a 10 minute walk to the park entrance.
If travelling by car, there is no dedicated car park but there are spaces bordering the Common which you have to pay for (they are free on Sundays).
Friends of Cannizaro Park
I couldn’t finish the blog without giving a shout out to the Friends of Cannizaro Park. This registered charity was founded with the aim of preserving and enhancing the park for the benefit of the local community and visitors. The 35 acres of park is maintained and improved by hardworking volunteers and they do an incredible job!
Cannizaro Park FAQs (2026)
Yes. The park is a public space managed by Merton Council and is free for everyone to enter. While it feels like a private estate, it has been open to the public since 1948.
Yes. The park is located on the edge of Wimbledon Common. You can enter through the main gates next to the Hotel du Vin or via several smaller paths leading directly from the Common.
Yes, but they should be kept on a lead in most areas to protect the formal flower beds and rare plant collections.
Yes. Picnics are allowed and are very popular on the main lawn. The park has a “leave no trace” policy so be sure to take all rubbish with you or dispose in the bins. Because the lawn is close to the hotel, ball games and loud music are generally discouraged to maintain the tranquil vibe.
Mostly. The main paths around the house and the Sunken Garden are paved or hard-packed gravel and are relatively flat. However, some of the wooded paths and the lower sections can be steep and muddy, especially after rain.
While the park is beautiful year-round, late spring to early summer is peak season. This is when the park’s famous collection of azaleas, rhododendrons, and camellias are in full bloom. However I have been as late as September before and still seen incredible flower displays here!
There are public toilets in the park, they’re a bit hidden away in the trees, about five minutes walk if you turn right when you first enter and follow the long path. There is no cafe on-site but the Hotel du Vin does food (although on the pricier side), or nearby Wimbledon Village which is a 10-minute walk away, is full of independent cafes.
Sophie is a freelance writer and editor, and the founder of Britain and Beyond.
