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A London beauty spot is being praised as ‘pretty’ and ‘stunning’ while drawing comparisons to Japan thanks to the abundance of cherry blossom trees that are starting to bloom there

A “stunning” beauty spot has been branded “special” and “pretty” for offering visitors a taste of Japan, all without leaving the UK.

With spring now in full swing, countless nature enthusiasts are eager to embrace the kaleidoscope of colours emerging as flora and fauna transform with the changing seasons. The bare branches and dormant plants of winter are quickly changing and bursting into bloom.

Cherry blossoms are a highly sought-after sight, strongly linked with regions of Japan. Referred to as Sakura in the East Asian country, blossom trees are the most widespread tree throughout the country, with many tourists timing their Japanese holidays around the cherry blossom forecast.

However, those unable to jet off across the globe in pursuit of picturesque pink petals are in luck, as one corner of London features an impressive display of cherry blossom trees.

Rita Farhi, a digital content creator who focuses on “noticing quiet magic in everyday life” in “London and beyond”, shared a video on Instagram showcasing a “hidden cherry blossom spot” in leafy northwest London.

In the caption alongside the footage, Rita wrote: “London has a few hidden cherry blossom spots… and this little path near Swiss Cottage is one of the prettiest.

“For a few weeks every spring it turns completely pink and feels like walking through Japan. It’s already starting to bloom this year. If you love cherry blossom walks, this one is worth saving for the next sunny afternoon.”

She added: “Have you seen it yet? Swiss Cottage, London. Spring in London never stays long… which makes these little moments feel even more special.”

In the comments section, Rita provided further detail about her video and explained: “Filmed a few springs ago. The blossoms often start pink and turn paler as they open.”

Felloe social media users were quick to share their thoughts. One person commented: “So pretty”.

Another wrote: “What a beaut!” A third said: “So beautiful” while a fourth agreed: “Stunning”.

Someone else enquired: “This is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing. Where in Swiss Cottage is this?”

Rita replied: “Very close to the tube station”.

Another Instagram user shared: “I saw it yesterday and it’s so beautiful”. While another added: “How beautiful! Love this area”.

For those hoping to spot cherry blossoms across the UK, the Natural History Museum explains: “Most of the common cherry trees planted in the UK blossom in April. Mild winters can result in the trees flowering earlier, sometimes in March, but in cooler years they might not do so until May.

“In London, and other particularly warm and sheltered locations, cherry trees can sometimes burst into flower as early as February.”

United States President Donald Trump has said the country’s military bombed military installations on Iran’s Kharg island, warning the area’s critical oil facilities could be next if Iran continues to block the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran, in turn, threatened on Saturday to reduce US-linked oil facilities to “a pile of ashes” if oil structures on the island were attacked, as the US-Israel war on Iran, now in its punishing third week, spilled over into a global oil price crisis already in the making.

Kharg island is where more than 90 percent of Iran’s oil is exported. Crude oil prices have surged more than 40 percent since the war began.

Trump said on Friday that US forces had “totally obliterated” all military targets on Iran’s Kharg island oil export hub, describing it in a social media post as “one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East”. He provided no evidence of that.

The US president said he had chosen not to “wipe out” oil infrastructure on the Iranian island, for now.

“However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision,” he added.

Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported, quoting sources, that more than 15 explosions were heard on Kharg island during the US attacks.

The sources said the attacks targeted air defences, a naval base, and airport facilities, but caused no damage to oil infrastructure. Iran’s Fars news agency reported thick smoke was seen rising from the island.

Al Jazeera’s Mohamed Vall, reporting from Tehran, said Iran’s potential retaliatory attacks on Gulf oil facilities would be a “catastrophic scenario” for the region, and for the “entire industry of oil and gas”.

“The Iranians are keeping this, apparently, as a card to use,” he said. “They’ve been talking about restraint and the possibility of that restraint ending if the Iranian oil facilities are attacked, as the Americans are hinting and threatening.”

US ground operation in the works?

Meanwhile, 2,500 more Marines and an amphibious assault ship are being sent to the Middle East, a US official told the AP news agency.

Elements from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli have been ordered to the region, according to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans.

Marine Expeditionary Units are able to conduct amphibious landings, but they also specialise in bolstering security at embassies, evacuating civilians, and providing disaster relief.

“What we’re to make of this is that the US is very slowly increasing its military posture in terms of prosecuting the war, and that it is not intending to wrap things up any time soon,” Al Jazeera’s Rosiland Jordan reported from Washington.

The deployment does not necessarily indicate that a ground operation is imminent or will take place.

Trump dismisses prospect of deal

Following the attack on Kharg island, Iran would be “wise to lay down their arms, and save what’s left of their country”, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

“The Fake News Media hates to report how well the United States Military has done against Iran, which is totally defeated and wants a deal – but not a deal that I would accept!” he posted separately, providing no evidence Tehran was seeking any sort of deal.

At least 1,444 people have been killed and 18,551 injured by US-Israeli attacks on Iran since February 28, Iran’s Ministry of Health says.

Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi, reporting from Tehran, said US-Israeli air attacks hit targets across the country, including in Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan and Tabriz. He said this was a sign that “we are not close to de-escalation.

“Iranian officials are talking about retaliatory strikes, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps talking about using what they call their most advanced weaponry, including Heidar missiles, to target Israeli territories and US bases in the region,” he said.