Secret Gardens of London Discovering Hidden Green Spaces

Secret Gardens of London: Discovering Hidden Green Spaces

London is the largest city in the UK as well as being the capital of the country. With a population of almost 9.5 million people, London is a huge metropolis and one of the world’s more densely populated cities.

But London is also blessed with a surprising amount of green space. In fact, 18% of the city’s land area is designated as public open space. The 3000 or so parks of the British capital make it one of the world’s greenest cities.

Some of London’s more popular parks are among its top attractions. But besides the eight Royal parks like Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, which are known to travellers throughout the world, London also has some beautiful hidden spots where you can escape the tourist crowds and get some fresh air outdoors.

London’s weather can be unpredictable, but that just means you’ll need to prepare in advance. Bring a good rain jacket or umbrella, even if you’re traveling in the summer, you won’t have to let the rain put you off exploring these hidden green spaces. And if you find you’re carrying too much, don’t worry. Drop off your belongings in a Bounce luggage storage in London to make your trip to the city easier while you explore these hidden gems, the secret gardens of London.

Phoenix Garden

Rising from the ashes of what was a bomb site during World War II, this beautiful community garden has been in operation since 1984 and is the last of the community gardens in its area. Lovingly maintained by a team of dedicated volunteers, this garden makes a popular spot for office workers to take a break, for tourists to get away from the crowds of the city or even a place to get married.

Home to a variety of plants, including some that take advantage of London’s heat island effect to grow in a more northern location than you would think, the garden is also home to ponds that are great places for local wildlife such as frogs, hedgehogs, and dozens of species of birds.

The garden is located just north of Shaftsbury Avenue in London’s West End. Respect the rules of the community if you visit; no dogs are allowed, and no alcohol is permitted inside the park itself. Open seven days a week from dawn until dusk, this is a true hidden gem and a glimpse of the wilder side of London many people never get to see.

Postman’s Park

Beautiful St. Paul’s Cathedral is one of the main tourist attractions in London and a place you’ll definitely want to see if you’re visiting the city for the first time. However, in this crowded area of the city, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Take a break in the shade of the trees in this quiet park, and you’ll be able to continue learning about London’s history while enjoying the tranquillity of an urban park.

Located on the site of what was once the General Post Office, this large park was opened in 1880 and built on top of a former cemetery, which caused some controversy at the time. In 1900, the park’s most outstanding feature was established: George Frederic Watts’s Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice.

This monument consists of ceramic plaques that tell the story of otherwise unknown people who died saving the lives of others. You can even download an app that will tell you more about these often-forgotten stories of everyday heroes, so a visit to this park can be a very moving experience as well as a relaxing one.

Abney Park Cemetery

Visiting a cemetery isn’t everybody’s idea of a good time, but London’s historic cemeteries often provide a great place to get away from the crowds and enjoy some peace and quiet. And if you’re willing to lean into the slightly creepy vibe, London cemeteries don’t come much more atmospheric than this one.

Abney Park is recognized as one of the Magnificent Seven of London cemeteries and was first established as a burial ground in 1840. Located on Stoke Newington High Street in the Borough of Hackney, Abney Park has an overgrown feel that makes it seem constantly on the verge of being reclaimed by nature, but that only makes the unusual monuments of the cemetery even more fun to discover.

Along with an Egyptian Revival entrance, the cemetery is home to a Gothic chapel and is a great place to encounter local wildlife as well as impressive monuments and statues of Londoners past.

Queen’s Wood

Highgate Cemetery is another of London’s Magnificent Seven, so it’s a great place to visit if you’re on a cemetery kick. But close to the cemetery and just across the street from Highgate Wood, this lesser-known park offers an encounter with a more natural environment.

Queen’s Wood has a forest park full of native trees such as beech, ash and oak and you are sure to see numerous squirrels and birds. Take a wander along the leafy paths on a sunny day, and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve been transported miles away from the capital and into the English countryside. However, this park is just a short walk from Highgate Underground Station, so it is easy to reach as it is delightful to explore.

London’s green heart 

The green spaces of the UK capital are as much a part of the urban landscape as Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.

Make some time to visit the parks of London, whether you want to see one of the famous Royal Parks or prefer to explore one of these more low-key environments. The secret gardens of London are not only are the ideal places to recharge away from the hustle and bustle of London, but they are also free to visit, helping your budget stretch further in what is often a very expensive city.

For more ideas about travel to beautiful cities take a look at my post about visiting Japan or closer to the UK then these European Cities you can even reach in a day.

This is a collaborative guest post.  Images are my own or from Canva Pro / Freepix.