With the arrival of spring in the UK, London's myriad cherry trees are starting to blossom again.

Beautiful bouquets of pink flowers are already lining streets and parks over the capital, including a host of green spaces in south London.

The petals or Sakura are Japan's official flower, and the beautiful vistas they create typically arrive in March or April, sometimes lasting right through to May and the start of summer.

Here's a rundown of some of the best places to catch them and the magical aura they create in the capital this spring.

Battersea Park

Your Local Guardian: Battersea Park, March 24, 2021. Image: Kirsty O’Connor/PABattersea Park, March 24, 2021. Image: Kirsty O’Connor/PA

The south London park's cherry trees are already in full bloom at the moment, making this urban green space one of the most convenient places to marvel at them.

One of the main walkways through the park is lined on both sides with cherry trees, surrounding visitors in a fluffy embrace.

Greenwich Park

Your Local Guardian: Greenwich Park. Image: Marathon via geograph.orgGreenwich Park. Image: Marathon via geograph.org

Perhaps the best place to see the cherry blossoms in south east London, Greenwich Park boasts an avenue bordered with cherry trees that has earned it heady comparisons with Japan itself in the past.

The overlapping trees, on the path leading up to a Georgian villa called Ranger’s House, create a tunnel-like effect that is truly breathtaking, which is probably why so many photographers of varying degrees of seriousness flock there at this time of year.

Regents Park

North of the River and closer to central, Regents Park offers not just one but two groups of pink and white clouds to marvel at.

Check out the Chester Road entrance and Avenue Gardens respectively for some jaw-dropping spring visuals.

Kew Gardens

Your Local Guardian: Kew Gardens. Image: Peter Jeffrey via geograph.orgKew Gardens. Image: Peter Jeffrey via geograph.org

London's biggest and best botanical gardens are still open for visitors (on the outside at least) during coronavirus but you'll need to book a slot.

The stunning boulevard of cherry trees and the rain of blossoms you'll find on the garden's very own 'Cherry Walk', which starts at the Rose Garden at Palm House, makes that more than worthwhile.

St Paul's Cathedral

Your Local Guardian: St Paul's Cathedral. Image via wikipediaSt Paul's Cathedral. Image via wikipedia

Although one of London's most iconic buildings boasts fewer cherry trees than any other location on our list, it makes up for the fact in the incredible contrast they bring to the area at this time of year.

The juxtaposition of the sakura with Christopher Wren's masterpiece is genuinely breathtaking.