With all of London’s many nooks and crannies, you can bet there are a fair few unused spaces. Well, Londoners have taken it upon themselves to turn them into urban gardens, full of gorgeous blooms and often providing veg and herbs for nearby kitchens. Take a look at these gorgeous urban gardens hidden in and around London.
1. The Story Garden, King’s Cross
A community garden that’s cleverly used skips (as in the things commonly found on building sites) as giant beds for their many plants, hence the name. Everything at this garden has been made using recycled materials and they even have a kitchen where they cook up veggie delights from the produce on site.
π Tapper Walk, Kingβs Cross, N1C 4AQ.
π Nearest station is King’s Cross.
2. Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, Dalston
This community garden has been created along the old Eastern Curve railway line that used to link Dalston Junction with the goods yard and the North London line. Now it’s a lovely green space dotted with wooden benches and a pavilion for events such as yoga and live music. There’s also a cafΓ© with a selection of food and drinks ranging from soup to cakes, and coffees to beers.
π 13 Dalston Lane, near Dalston Junction station, E8 3DF
π Nearest station is Dalston Junction.
3. Rembrandt Gardens, Little Venice
These gardens are hidden alongside the Little Venice canal so you’d be forgiven for not knowing about this one. Perfectly sunken away from the canalside but also offering great views from your wooden bench. One for those tranquil evenings or afternoons when the only thing you want to do is chill by the water.
π 6 Warwick Ave, near Warwick Avenue station, W2 1XB
π Nearest station is Warwick Avenue.
4. Brown Hart Gardens, Mayfair
If you’re looking for a calm oasis away from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street then this is your place. Just off of Duke Street (and basically opposite Selfridges) lies this rooftop garden that’s open and free to the public. It’s built on top of the old Duke Street electricity substation and even has a cafΓ© on one end.
π Brown Hart Gardens, Mayfair, near Bond Street station, W1K 6JQ
π Nearest station is Bond Street.
5. Culpeper Community Garden, Angel
This small green oasis is perfectly hidden amongst the streets of Islington and acts as a public park as well as a local space. It’s all managed by the residents around it and with ponds, paths and lots of plants, it’s the perfect place for a leisurely stroll or summer picnic.
π 1 Cloudesley Road, near Angel station, N1 0EJ
π Nearest station is Angel.
6. Bow Creek Ecology Park, Lee Valley
This one’s not really one you’d take a sarnie and picnic blanket along to but is one to enjoy, all the same. This former ironworks, shipyard and coal wharf is now home to lots of interesting wildlife such as newts, water scorpions and birds. A great place to just sit back, take it all in and obviously, it’s great for all you nature lovers out there.
π Bidder Street, E16 4ST.
π Nearest station is Canning Town.