London’s Connaught Village pairs bonsai with miniature treehouses this summer

Oxford Square will turn into a bonsai-and-architecture site from July 4, when the Museum of Architecture opens Bonsai Treehouses as part of Connaught Village’s Village in Green season, which runs through August 31. The open-air exhibition brings living bonsai specimens together with miniature treehouses designed by architects, landscape architects, engineers and other creators, all under the theme Together.

Bonsai are not naturally miniature plants, but full-grown trees cultivated and styled over many years. Bonsai specialist Peter Warren completed a six-year apprenticeship in Japan under Kunio Kobayashi at Shunkaen Bonsai Museum.

Access is structured to welcome casual visitors as well as dedicated growers. The exhibition will run in open air at Oxford Square, with first entry at 9:00 a.m. and last entry at 6:00 p.m., and advance booking is strongly recommended. Standard tickets are priced at £13.50, children aged 4 to 15 at £8.50, and children 3 and under go free. A masterclass with Peter Warren costs £180 and includes one specially selected bonsai tree plus an exhibition group pass, while one exhibition group pass can cover up to four people.

Connaught Village is extending the program beyond the square itself. Workshops will let visitors design their own miniature treehouses and learn more about bonsai, while bonsai-inspired window displays will spread the theme across nearby streets and storefronts. The opening day on July 4 also brings a public opening of Cambridge Square for a one-day garden party from noon to 4 p.m., with live music, family activities, pop-up food and drink, and Paddington making a special appearance. The Paddington statue was permanently installed at Connaught Village Green in October 2024.

Cafés, florists and shops are offering promotions for Bonsai Treehouses ticket-holders during the run. It is also a charity fundraising event for the Museum of Architecture charity.