Open Garden Squares Weekend 2014 by London Gardens Trust

14 – 15 June 2014

14 & 15 June 2014 Guidebook

www.opensquares.org @opensquares #opensquares

In association with

Contents Welcome to the Weekend

Essential information

National Trust

Cycling and walking tours

Organised by

London Parks & Gardens Trust

Garden listings and maps

Outer London map A North West London garden details

12 14

B North East London garden details

C South East London garden details

D South West London garden details

E Hammersmith, Acton, Chiswick

F Hampstead

G St Pancras, Islington

H Hackney, Bethnal Green

I Docklands

J Lambeth

K Notting Hill, Bayswater, Little Venice

L Marylebone, West End, Bloomsbury

M City, South Bank

N Kensington, Brompton, Chelsea

O Belgravia, Pimlico, Westminster

P North Lambeth, Southwark

Discount vouchers

103

Index of gardens

105

Organising the Weekend

107

In association with

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Supported by

OGSWGuide 2014

Welcome to the Weekend his year marks the 20th anniversary of the London Parks & Gardens Trust (LPGT) and the 17th anniversary of its largest and most popular annual event, Open Gardens Squares Weekend (OGSW). The LPGT was launched as an independent charitable trust at the Chelsea Flower Show in May 1994. As an educational charity, its objectives are to promote the arts and sciences of historic garden land, and to preserve, enhance and re-create historic garden land that may exist or have existed in and around London. Guided by the aims and targets set out in that strategic document, the Trust has become a wellrespected organisation, making London’s historic green open spaces as accessible as possible for the public. OGSW has unquestionably and singlehandedly improved the public awareness and public image of London’s extraordinary garden squares. In so doing, it has fulfilled the expectations of its founder, Caroline Aldiss, who organised the first open day in 1998 with the support of the LPGT and English Heritage. The original one-day event was intended to draw attention to the contribution that the participating green spaces made to the capital, and the importance attached to their conservation. It also provided an opportunity for non-residents to explore private gardens that were not generally

accessible to the public, and to enjoy them in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere of open-air concerts, historical exhibitions, craft displays and wine tastings. The annual weekend, now organised by the LGPT in collaboration with the National Trust and gratefully reliant on the generous exertions of 1,200 volunteers, has been a great success – indeed, it has become a regular fixture in the London garden calendar. Last year a record 17,000 visitors coursed through over 200 urban oases, a large number of which are ordinarily closed to non-residents. This year sees the addition of 22 new gardens to our line-up of gardens open, bringing the total to 219 gardens. Once again we shall be offering limited places – via a ballot – for tours of the garden at No. 10 Downing Street; and Arsenal fans will be pleased to see that Highbury Stadium Square gardens will be throwing open their gates as well. This year we are particularly grateful to the following organisations for their generous support: the National Trust, who are our main partner for the third year running, and Hamptons International and Time Out, both of whom supported us last year as well. Transport for London (TfL) have again very kindly produced our maps. Todd Longstaffe-Gowan President, London Parks & Gardens Trust OGSWGuide 2014

Don’t forget to let

Essential information Planning your weekend

Need more help?

To ensure you get the most out of your Weekend, it’s worth taking the time to plan which gardens you want to see and how to get there.

Our website is a fantastic resource for planning your weekend – use the garden selector tool to search by area, activity or type of garden.

This guidebook contains essential information for planning and getting around on the Weekend, though we recommend it is used in conjunction with a smart-phone map or London street map (such as an A-Z). Our website also has lots of information and options to help your plan your weekend www.opensquares.org/tickets/planning.html Transport for London’s Walking Division and their Legible London team have again produced a number of inner and central London maps, which we hope will encourage you to walk between the gardens shown on each map.

Maps, downloadable walking and cycling guides and detailed garden information are all also available on the website: www.opensquares.org Many of the gardens have detailed historical information available, indicated with a symbol. This is available at www.londongardensonline.org.uk

Use the garden listing key on page 11 to find out more about what’s going on in gardens, which ones are normally closed to the public, where you can take your dog and those that have toilet facilities. Essential Kit for the Weekend ● Tickets and guidebook ● Detailed London map ● Travel/Oyster card ● Suncream, hat (or possibly an umbrella!) ● Comfortable shoes ● Camera Tweet us @OpenSquares Use #opensquares facebook.com/LondonOGSW 4

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Our website will be updated with any amendments and last-minute withdrawals on Friday 13 June. We will also try and let you know of any public transport closures and anything else that might affect the Weekend.

us know what you think of this year’s event www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/opensquares

Gardens with special conditions

Don’t miss out We have a number of very special gardens participating this year, which can only be visited as part of a pre-booked tour. Downing Street Page 94 Places on this tour are allocated strictly by public ballot. The ballot will be drawn on 21 May and the winners will be contacted shortly after. Good luck!

We are delighted to be able to offer OGSW ticket holders some amazing discounted offers, so that you can continue enjoying your garden experience throughout the year. See page 103 for: ● Discounted membership of the

London Parks & Gardens Trust

Highbury Stadium Square Page 41 Places allocated by ballot. Winners will be notified in early June.

● 2 for 1 admission to Grow, London’s

West Ham Nursery Page 19 Advance booking only – call 020 8472 3584

purchases at N1 & W6 Gardening Centres

East Village Page 17 To book a place please email hello@eastvillagelondon.co.uk after 23 May saying how many places you require. Times and details will then be confirmed. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Page 18 Tours fully booked at time of going to press, however the Park is now generally open to the public HMP Holloway Page 41 Fully booked at time of going to press River Café Page 31 Fully booked at time of going to press

newest contemporary Garden Fair ● 10% discount on gardening

● 15% discount on the Open House

advance guidebook

Our volunteers work hard all year round to make sure you enjoy Open Garden Squares Weekend. We really appreciate your feedback as it helps us plan for future years. This year’s feedback survey is available at www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ opensquares All completed surveys will be entered into a draw to win £50-worth of gardening vouchers. OGSWGuide 2014

Osterley House Gardens AREA

Central London

Notting Hill n Bayswater n Little Venice

Fenton House

The National Trust was founded to protect open spaces, especially London’s. In fact our founder, the social campaigner, Octavia Hill, was inspired to create the charity after fighting, and failing, to prevent the meadows at Swiss Cottage being developed for housing. London is one of the world’s greenest cities and we hope it remains that way for many, many years. Octavia believed passionately in what she called ‘green living rooms’ – space for people to breathe fresh air and reflect, away from the frenzy of city life. Her legacy has been the 600,000 acres that the Trust now looks after ‘for the benefit of the nation’.

Today, in London, we care for several tranquil, green spaces: the vast park and farmland at Osterley, the 17thcentury garden at Ham House, the charming town garden at Fenton House and, more recently, a new little park at Rainham Hall. Even Sutton House in Hackney, a Tudor manor surrounded by dense housing, is transforming its old car yard into half an acre of outdoor space for families to enjoy. London’s squares and open spaces are one of the gems of Great Britain – the envy of Paris and New York. And we want to celebrate and support them with our colleagues at the London Parks & Gardens Trust.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/london 6

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Cycling and walking tours Enjoy a variety of activities in gardens over the Weekend including pop-up events, live music, art exhibitions, plant sales, puppet shows, children’s workshops and much more. You will find details of individual activities within the garden listings. In particular you might like to look out for these cycling and walking tours

Cycling tours

Kensington & Chelsea and Lambeth. No need to book – just turn up with your OGSW ticket and bike.

Back by popular demand are our cycling tours, led by experienced and friendly members of the London Cycling Campaign. Walking tours Where possible, the rides go through quieter, Our guided tours are always very popular characterful streets, many of which form and this year we are part of the London Cycle Network. Rides on pleased to be able to both days are expected to finish at about increase the number 5.30pm, with a return to the starting points. of walks on offer. You are welcome to leave or join the tours at Guided walks are any point. mostly led by experienced and friendly City of The ride will start at 10.15am from the Albert London and Blue Badge Guides. It’s a great Memorial on the south side of Kensington way to visit both some of the popular Gardens and will visit gardens in Kensington gardens or explore secret gardens. The & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham. themed walks include gardens that are generally open and not participating in the No need to book – just turn up with your Weekend and are a great way to learn OGSW ticket and bike. about London’s important gardens.

Saturday 14 June

Sunday 15 June

The ride will start at 10am from the Albert Memorial at the south side of Kensington Gardens and will visit gardens in

Saturday 14 June City Of London: Take a leisurely 90-minute walk and explore the historic City of London OGSWGuide 2014

Cycling and walking tours Walking tours continued

gardens. There will be walks in the morning and afternoon. This walk discovers some of the secret gardens of the Corporation of London and looks at both plants and history combined. You will hear about how these green spaces have been created over time within the city walls and how they still flourish today. Many are on historic sites of churchyards and burial grounds. Others form part of the modern urban landscape of the Square Mile. Visit a medieval herbal garden, a contemporary herbaceous planting in a 17th-century setting, a garden for common-man heroes and an awardwinning garden made from a bombsite. Pre-booking essential. Email marion.blair@mac.com after 1 May. City of London – Edible Walks: Morning walk of about one hour. The City of London has always had interesting gardens. From the Romans onwards City gardeners have grown a variety of plants that added interest to a limited diet, provided medicine or simply pleased the eye. The tradition of horticultural delight continues but there are many plants that have a nutritional or medicinal value, that can be eaten in a salad, infused in a tea or used to flavour a dish, as well as provide a healing balm. Come and get inspired and then see what’s growing in your own garden that is either tasty or useful. Pre-booking essential. Email marion.blair@mac.com after 1 May. The Green Patches of Clerkenwell: A 90minute morning walk through the green spaces of Clerkenwell. Among the things to 8

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discover are garden squares and a secluded medicinal herb garden, also olive trees in a municipal park as well as gardens covering an area which for three centuries provided much of London’s fresh water. Pre-booking essential. Email marion.blair@mac.com after 1 May. City Rooftop Garden Walk: This new walk will celebrate the large increase in green roofs in the Square Mile, which help the City to adapt to climate change and provide a valuable habitat for biodiversity within the urban centre of London. The walk will visit both rooftop gardens and street-level gardens, led by Dusty Gedge, a renowned green-roof expert and a City of London guide. Pre-booking essential. Email marion.blair@mac.com after 1 May. The Reclusive Gardens of Mayfair: From a former burial ground to an Italian garden on top of an electricity sub-station, come explore the hidden green spaces of Mayfair. While gardens are open to the public all year round, these 90-minute walks provide a great opportunity to (re)discover the history behind these gardens. No booking required, just turn up with your OGSW ticket. Meet by the gazebo in the middle of Berkeley Square, 11am and 2pm. World War One: Walk of Remembrance: A 90-minute walk through Whitehall, the heart of British government, where the Great War became a global conflict and the subsequent human cost is most poignantly remembered. This walk evokes the events leading up to WW1, its impact

on London, and the monuments, institutions and gardens which preserve its memory. Starting point in front of the Westminster Abbey shop (west door), 12pm and 2.30pm. Pre-booking required. Email elebaut@gmail.com after 1 May.

the guided tour of the BMA gardens. The walk takes in the iconic gardens and architectural wonders of Bloomsbury and conjures up the buoyant and scandalous times of the Bloomsbury set. No booking required, just turn up with your OGSW ticket. Tours start every hour, 10am to 4pm. Holland Park and Kyoto Garden Walk: Explore the history of Holland Park and gain insights into the concepts behind Japanese garden design. There are 12 spaces available per tour, 11am and 2pm. Each tour lasts around 90 minutes. Pre-booking required. Email yannick.pucci@gmail.com You can also find ideas for self-guided walks on our website: www.opensquares.org/activities/selfguided The Open Garden Squares Weekend team would like to thank all the guides who voluntarily plan and lead these walks for visitors.

Sunday 15 June Middle & Inner Temple Walks: Explore the secluded and secret garden courtyards of the Temple and discover the extraordinary prize-winning gardens of the Honourable Societies of Middle and Inner Temple. A city within a city, these unique gardens date back to before the 14th century. Meet the gardener from Middle Temple to find out more about the planting design and gardening methods used in this historic garden. The walk lasts an hour and is taken by a specialist tour guide. Walks in the morning and afternoon. Limited places available. Pre-booking essential. Email marion.blair@mac.com after 1 May.

METROPOLITAN PUBLIC GARDENS ASSOCIATION

Open Garden Squares Weekend The MPGS are delighted once again to be supporting this very special London event.

Visit our website to find out more about us, the grants we give and our Bulbs for London initiative

City of London: See Saturday entry. City of London – Edible Walks: See Saturday entry. The Bloomsbury Walks: Back by popular demand, these 90-minute walks start at Bedford Square and finish at the British Medical Association (BMA), just in time for

www.mpga.org OGSWGuide 2014

20 years

London’s Green Future A symposium to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of London Parks & Gardens Trust

In 2014 the London Parks & Gardens Trust (organisers of Open Garden Squares Weekend) achieves 20 years of garden education, promotion and enjoyment.

Hahahopscotch As part of the celebrations the LPGT is sponsoring a series of freckly, dishevelled and unrepentently nostalgic children’s activities in two gardens over the Weekend. Kensington Gardens Square 1pm-1.45pm Giggly & Green Fingered: Seeds, shoots, dirt and nibbling for those with little green thumbs

Photo: Paul Debois

2-3pm Garden Gallivant: A frolic through garden history involving bunting, a wheelbarrow relay, cuddly sheep, miniature topiary and ‘Roman’ statues. Cleveland Square 4pm-4.45pm Children’s Traditional Games: A giggly, wriggly play session allowing modern children to enjoy old-fashioned fun with an irresistible array of Hahahopscotch games: sack race, tug of war, egg-and-spoon and hoops. 5.15pm-6pm Traditional Games for Adults: We couldn’t resist! A chance for the older ones to indulge their inner child with these nostalgic games. And just in case you might feel inhibited, we’ve invited the Gin Garden along so you can soothe your nerves with a cocktail or two, made using fresh ingredients from the Square. To book please email haha@opensquares.org (if you’ve booked when you bought your tickets you don’t need to email) 10

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Thursday 12 June, 2pm-5.30pm Regent’s University London, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4NS

From the visionary to the practical, this symposium will review current government and local authority policies and programmes concerning London’s green future and showcase major new projects and a range of existing small-scale initiatives. Speakers include Dusty Gedge (Green Roof Campaigner and Designer) and James Hitchmough (Principal Planting Design and Horticultural Consultant for the Olympic Park) as well as representatives from the GLA, the Landscape Institute and the driving forces behind the London’s Garden Bridge project. Tickets include a wine reception and cost £25. There is a 20% discount for OGSW ticket holders and LPGT members, simply enter the promotional code OGSW when booking. To book please visit www.londonsgreen.eventbrite.co.uk or call 020 7839 3969 Wed/Thurs 11am-3pm.

London Gardens Online! Interested in finding out more about the historic elements of the gardens you have visited? The London Parks & Gardens Trust’s Inventory of Parks, Gardens, Squares, Churchyards, Cemeteries and other Green Spaces of Local Historic Interest is available online at londongardensonline.org.uk Gardens which can be found on the inventory are indicated by this symbol.

Garden listings and maps Garden listing key: Garden normally closed to the public Toilet available for visitors Disabled toilet facilities Dogs allowed on leads Info at londongardensonline.org.uk National Trust places

Cg Capital Growth garden

Dogs Working assistance dogs are allowed in all gardens. Other dogs are allowed only where indicated and must be kept on a lead.

Important information All information contained in this guidebook was believed to be accurate at the time of going to press. The London Parks & Gardens Trust cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information provided by participating gardens. Please note that events may be postponed or cancelled owing to weather or to circumstances beyond our control. Visitors are reminded that these are private gardens and are kindly asked not to intrude or inconvenience residents. Please ask permission before taking photographs.

The majority of gardens are not normally open to the public and these are indicated with the key symbol (left). Some public gardens are included, many of which will have laid on entertainment or interpretation for the event. Others are of historical interest and are included to enliven your walk along the way. Gardens are presented in separate geographical areas and the maps at the start of each section indicate approximately where each garden can be found. We also recommend that you use a detailed London map in conjunction with this guide. The main map (page 12) shows the approximate loction of gardens in outer London as well as the areas covered by the Transport for London maps for inner and central London gardens. Outer London gardens are listed in four sections: North West, North East, South East and South West. Each garden has a unique reference consisting of a letter and a number. The number refers to the map on which the garden location is shown. You can look for specific gardens by using the index on pages 105-106. Gardens have different opening hours, so do check the individual listings for details. OGSWGuide 2014

North West London

Outer London

Outer London map Enfield A 10

A41 A1

A406

B13

Haringey

Highgate

Harrow

Map F Hamp stead

A41

A3 B10

AREA

Map E HammerA 4Acton smith Chiswick

M4 A2

A4 A 20 5

South West London

AREA

D OGSWGuide 2014

Map O Map N Kensington, Belgravia, Pimlico, Brompton, Westminster Chelsea D5 D4 A 30 4

Map M City & South Bank

Wandsworth

C9178

D10

Lewisham Dulwich

A 20 5 A 2 14D11

Merton

A 20 2

Map J Lambeth

C10

A 23

C11

A 24 A 2 32

A 2 17

Croydon D2

Sutton

B11 B8

Map I Docklands

Map P North Lambeth & Southwark

A 32 12

A 3 16

Map L Marylebone, West End Bloomsbury

Map K Notting Hill, Bayswater, Little Venice

A 10

Map H Hackney & Bethnal Green

Camden

Outer London

B4 B2

A 5 0 3 B5

Map G St Pancras, Islington

A406

A40

Garden listings

AREA

A 11 B15

B12

A406 B7

Outer London

North East London

B14

Squares & Gardens

A B

A1. Canons Park – George V Memorial Garden A2. Osterley House Gardens

A3. Queen’s Wood Lodge Organic Garden A4. Roe Green Walled Garden A5. Walpole Park & Walled Garden A6. Waterlow Park Kitchen Garden

B1. Abbey Gardens – What Will The Harvest Be? B2. Abney Park Cemetery B3. Bowes Park Community Garden B4. The Castle Garden B5. Clissold Community Garden

B6. Core Landscape’s Pop-up Garden and Plant Nursery

B7. Eastbury Manor House Walled Gardens and Herb Garden B8. East Village B9. Garden withdrawn B10. Pooles Park Primary School

A 13

B11. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

B12. St Angela’s Ursuline School B13. Stephens House and Gardens

A 10 2

B14. Valence House Museum Herb Garden B15. West Ham Park and Nursery C1

AREA

C A 20

Outer London

South East London

C1. Ballast Quay Garden

C2. Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses C3. Centre for Wildlife Gardening C4. Charlton Manor Primary School C5. Culverley Green C6. Dulwich Upper Wood C7. Red House C8. The Secret Orchard C9. South London Botanical Institute C10.Sydenham Garden C11. Winsford Gardens D1. Bramford Community Garden

D2. Carshalton House Landscape Garden

D3. Growing Gardens Community Project at Deen City Farm D4. Fulham Palace

D5. Fulham Palace Meadows Allotments

D6. Grove House Estate (Roehampton University) D7. Ham House and Garden See individual listings for exact opening times

D8. Rookery and Streatham Common Community Garden D9. St Michael’s Convent D10.Share Community Horticulture Project D11. Tooting Community Garden OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Outer London

North West London

A1. Canons Park – George V Memorial Garden HA8 6RH Canons Park is a grade II-listed historic landscape and contains several listed buildings. The park was part of one of the grandest homes of 18th-century England, developed by James Brydges, the 1st Duke of Chandos. The George V Memorial Garden is a walled garden within the park, once part of the duke’s kitchen gardens. It was completely redesigned in the 1930s after the park became public. The garden celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2012 and reflects the 1930s period, with an evergreen structure accented by magnolia and other interesting tree species, flowering shrubs and seasonal groundcover planting. It features a central square pool with fountain, surrounded by a raised Yorkstone terrace with steps, informally planted flowerbeds and a pavilion with bench seating. In 2006–7 the garden and the park were restored with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The park has won Green Flag awards every year from 2010 to 2013. Open: Saturday: 1–5pm Entrance: Donnefield Avenue (closest to station), Whitchurch Lane, Canons Drive, Howberry Road

Queens Wood Lodge Organic Garden

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Access: Bonded gravel surface on paths to the Memorial Garden. Shallow steps to pond Nearest station: Canons Park Buses: 79, 186, 340 from Edgware Activities: Friends of Canons Park stall, featuring information and leaflets on the history and restoration of Canons Park. Fabulous music provided by a brass quartet. Stall featuring hanging baskets planted up by our park keeper, and a selection of vegetables home grown by a local volunteer. All proceeds to the Friends of Canons Park. RSPB information and sales table. Café on site selling lunchtime snacks, cream teas and other teatime goodies. 2pm to 5pm: guided visits to historic St. Lawrence’s Church, resting place of the Duke of Chandos and his family.Free entrance wwww.friendsofcanonspark.org.uk Gardener: Derek Roy MBE

A2. Osterley House Gardens TW7 4RB Osterley is the last remaining country estate in London with farm, parkland, gardens, 18th-century mansion and a Tudor stable block. The site, which covers 350 acres, is just eight miles from Hyde

Park Corner. The mansion and gardens were created in the late 18th century by architect and designer Robert Adam for the Child family. The 18th-century Pleasure Grounds have been recently restored, and include a grade-I listed Adam garden house with lemon trees, American border, Long Walk (including a new Diamond Jubilee wood), flower beds in the Picturesque style and ornamental vegetable displays in the Tudor walled garden. Open: Saturday: 11am–4.30pm, Sunday: 11am–4.30pm Entrance: Jersey Road Access: Level access but some gravel/uneven surfaces and narrow paths Nearest station: Osterley tube – 20 min walk Isleworth National rail – 30 min walk Bus: H91 Activities: Plants for sale. Cafe. Shop. Second-hand bookshop wwww.nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley Head Gardener: Andy Eddy

A3. Queen’s Wood Lodge Organic Garden N10 3JP This prize-winning garden is hidden away behind the old keeper’s lodge, now a café in Queen’s Wood, Muswell Hill. Formerly the lodge keeper’s garden, it became derelict and completely overgrown. The garden was rescued and restored 12 years ago with the help of Lottery funding and now has plots of fruit bushes and trees, vegetables, a frog pond, herbs and flowerbeds. It is surrounded by woodland and has many wildflowers around the edge and as companion planting in the beds. There are also beehives, plus habitats for insects and other wildlife. Local volunteers work the garden, which is closely linked to the Friends of Queen’s Wood. The aim is to demonstrate what can be achieved in a small garden and to provide education for gardeners in the form of information boards and booklets on organic gardening. Funds from plant sales provide the plants, seeds and equipment needed. The garden is also used by local residents, schools and teachers as a resource for learning about many aspects of gardening, including composting, taking cuttings and pruning. The garden has won prizes from Haringey In Bloom in 2009, 2010 and 2013 in the wildlife and community gardens categories. Work is being done in 2014 to increase the growing space in the garden and there may be some construction still under way during OGSW, but this should not affect the main areas for visitors.

Garden listings Open: Saturday: 1–5pm Entrance: 42 Muswell Hill Road Access: Only one path is wheelchair accessible and some of it is bark chippings. The whole garden can be viewed from this one path but other paths are narrow and sloping Nearest station: Highgate Buses: 43, 134 Car parking: No parking at the Lodge except to drop off disabled visitors Activities: Café. Plant sales wwww.queenswoodgarden.org Volunteer co-ordinator: Lucy Roots

A4. Roe Green Walled Garden NW9 9HA This Victorian walled garden, built in 1899 for the Duchess of Sutherland, has formal lawns with rose beds, a rockery, flower borders, a vegetable and fruit garden and a high-rise wildlife home. There is a ‘Devon bank’ which hosts a mixture of wildflowers, and a dry stone wall which offers a habitat for frogs, newts and other creatures. There are two ponds and a children’s area. Wildlife is encouraged, with bird boxes and feeders. Visitors are welcome to sit and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this secluded garden, which won a Green Flag Community Award in 2012. Open: Saturday: 10.30am–5pm Entrance: Kingsbury Road, opposite Valley Drive. Follow roadway through Roe Green Park Nearest station: Kingsbury Buses: 183, 204, 324 Car parking: Outside garden Activities: Children’s activities. Homemade refreshments. Sale of plants, woodcraft items, books and bric-à-brac wwww.bhcg.btck.co.uk

A5. Walpole Park & Walled Garden W5 5EQ Walpole Park and the Walled Garden have just been restored to their former Regency glory, with the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Regency vistas, ponds, flower garden and shrubbery walk have all been brought back to the time when Sir John Soane built Pitzhanger Manor House and designed this landscape. There are plenty of veteran trees and stunning oak avenues in the wider parkland and several listed features. There is evidence of a kitchen garden in Walpole Park before Sir John Soane bought Pitzhanger Manor in 1801 and this has now been returned to the Walled Garden, with a

Walpole Park & Walled Garden

focus on the glorious and unusual heritage varieties of fruit, vegetables and flowers. It is maintained by a number of local volunteers and community organisations with Ealing Council. Open: Saturday: 11am–5pm Entrance: Entrance to Walpole Park via Mattock Lane or Ealing Green. Entrance to walled garden within park is to the south of Pitzhanger Manor lawn Access: The entrance nearest Pitzhanger Manor house has a few steps but the entrance near the water garden is wheelchair-accessible Nearest station: Ealing Broadway Buses: 65, 207 Activities: Volunteers on hand to answer questions. Garden tours. Family activities, arts and crafts, music. Bee-keeping demonstration. Plant sale. Cakes, food and drink wwww.ealing.gov.uk/pmgwalpole Cg

A6. Waterlow Park Kitchen Garden N6 5HG In 1889, Sir Sydney Waterlow gave his gardens to the people of London as ‘gardens for the gardenless’. In 2011, the original site of the kitchen garden was restored and re-opened as a community resource for growing vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers. Surrounded by yew hedges, the garden has the feel of a ‘secret’ part of Waterlow Park. A place for

quiet retreat at times. At others, a busy place for active gardeners. There are 10 raised beds, each one managed and cultivated by a different local organisation. These include two primary schools, a mental-health agency, three local gardeners’ groups, staff from the nearby hospital and the Friends of Waterlow Park. The design of the garden was planned by a team from Camden Parks Department, volunteers from TCV, and the Friends of Waterlow Park. Waterlow Park itself offers stunning views over London and many other natural delights. Open: Saturday: 10am–4pm, Sunday: 10am–4pm Entrance: Dartmouth Park Hill – near second park gate from top Access: Hard surface paths in the park but some grass paths and some uneven paths in the kitchen garden Nearest station: Archway Buses: 210, 263, W5, 271, 143 Activities: See a range of plants and vegetables in the kitchen garden and meet some of the volunteer gardeners. Talks, walks and presentations – see our website for details. Café in the park at Lauderdale House. Conditions: Toilets at the Park Centre just above the kitchen garden. Ramp available. wwww.waterlowpark.org.uk Cg

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AREA

Outer London

North East London

B1. Abbey Gardens – What Will The Harvest Be? E15 3NF The design by artists Karen Guthrie and Nina Pope of Somewhere.org.uk for the Friends of Abbey Gardens, transformed a neglected wasteland into a unique openaccess garden where anyone can grow and harvest flowers, fruit and vegetables. The gardens surround part of the ruin of a protected 12th-century Cistercian abbey, where monks ran a productive garden, and also displays more recent 19th-century remains. Devised four years ago as a horticultural and social experiment, the project invited anyone to participate in the communal growing and harvesting of vegetables and flowers. The garden occupies a 2,000square-metre urban site in Newham, protected by English Heritage from development due to its medieval monastic and Victorian ruins. The local area – in a state of change and growth – provides an inspiring backdrop, bringing in new transport links, residents and commuters. Historically this echoes the hub of travellers, commerce, debate and food production that the Cistercian abbey would have been and the idea of returning the land to production was very influential on the project.Later influences such as wartime ‘Dig for Victory’ allotments and an early 20th-century

group of Newham ‘squatters’, the ‘Plaistow Landgrabbers’, also inspired the artists’ design. This group of unemployed men took over a nearby piece of empty land called their plot ‘The Triangle Camp’, which inspired the shape of the raised beds at Abbey Gardens. The slogan painted on the wall behind their camp provided the project name – What Will The Harvest Be? The contemporary garden design centres on formal raised beds arranged in a flag-like layout. As well as providing a striking structure it also dealt with the issue of polluted soil, allowing food production to begin. The design mixes flowers and produce and is informed by the practical requirements of vegetable growing. A dense network of paths throughout the beds enables access for gardeners and visitors. Free garden-club sessions from March to the end of October, and the site is open every day to visitors. Rather than individual plots, the idea is to treat the garden as a shared resource, distributing produce among the regular gardeners as well as through an honesty stall on site. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Abbey Gardens, Bakers Row Access: Grassed and bark paths, wide enough for wheelchairs Nearest stations: Abbey Road (DLR), West Ham or Stratford Bus: 276 Activities: Refreshments. Tours with the garden-club leader or one of the artist/designers. Friends of Abbey Gardens members present wwww.whatwilltheharvestbe.com Designers: Nina Pope & Karen Guthrie Cg

B2. Abney Park Cemetery

Abbey Gardens – What Will The Harvest Be?

OGSWGuide 2014

N16 0LH Abney Park was opened in 1840 as a Nonconformist garden cemetery and was laid out on the grounds of the Abney and Fleetwood estates. It is now a 32acre historic park, cemetery and nature reserve in a built-up inner-city area. It represents an important green resource for the local community and a unique experience for visitors. The Abney Park Trust, a registered charity, took over the management of the site in 1991 and now runs events including environmental education, training, volunteer projects,

guided walks, talks and workshops, as well as theatre productions, film locations, small music festivals and open days. Among the numerous important tombs and memorials are those to General Booth and Catherine Booth, founders of the Salvation Army, and to members of the Loddiges family. Open: Saturday: 8am–7pm, Sunday: 8am–7pm Entrance: Stoke Newington High Street Access: Generally level access but uneven surfaces and some narrow paths, steps and ramps Nearest station: Stoke Newington Buses: 67, 73, 76, 149, 243, 393, 476 Activities: Sunday 15 June, 2pm – guided walk with John Baldock Conditions: No alcohol on site Website: www.abneypark.org

B3. Bowes Park Community Garden N22 8LZ This garden, on the route of the New River Walk, is owned by Thames Water but run by the Bowes Park Community Association on a voluntary basis. As well as providing local residents with a restful green space, the garden is used for community events, such as picnics and concerts. The garden is well used by the local community and supported by Haringey Council and local businesses. Open: Saturday: 2–5pm Entrance: Myddleton Road Access: The garden is mainly grassed and uneven, but there is a wheelchairaccessible path leading to four benches Nearest stations: Bowes Park, Bounds Green Buses: 121, 141, 232, 329, 221 Activities: A fun-filled community picnic from 2pm, including music, facepainting, magician and Morris dancers. Homemade cakes and jam, refreshments and plant stall. Please bring a picnic and your family and friends! wwww.bowespark.org.uk Gardener: Lydia Navarro

B4. The Castle Garden N4 2HA The Castle is a large Victorian water pumping station, listed grade II*. Largely redundant by 1971, the building opened to the public in October 1995 as the Castle Climbing Centre and has dominated the indoor climbing market in London ever since. The Castle Garden has been created over the past four years and is primarily a food, wildlife and education garden. We follow the kitchen garden model, supplying our kitchen and

Garden listings café with delicious organic produce. which is made into vegetarian food that you can buy from our café. We are trying to be as self-sufficient and sustainable as possible, doing things like recycling and composting all our kitchen waste and teaching volunteers organic and sustainable food-growing methods. Come and see our garden, food-growing areas, beehives, mushroomery, round house, willow dome and much more! Open: Saturday: 11am–4pm Entrance: Green Lanes, south of Manor House junction Access: The site will not be suitable for anyone in wheelchairs or who has trouble with slopes Nearest station: Manor House Buses: 106, 141, 341 Activities: Garden tours. Café serving vegetarian food using gardenproduce wwww.castle-climbing.co.uk/gardenblog Head gardener and assistant: Ida Fabrizo and Jack Cox

a large part of it is accessible for wheelchair users and pushchairs. Canning Town station is step-free Nearest station: Canning Town Bus: 541 Activities: Eat cake and drink tea, garden tours, nature trail, bargain plant hunting, great plant-loving company. Inspiration for container growing anywhere wwww.core-landscapes.co.uk Horticultural Nursery Manager: Nemone Mercer

B7. Eastbury Manor House Walled Gardens and Herb Garden IG11 9SN

East Village

B5. Clissold Community Garden N16 9EX The garden is the prime example of Peter Bedford Housing Association’s horticultural therapy programme and their ‘plot to plate’ project, funded by the Big Lottery local food scheme. Hidden behind a row of Georgian terrace houses and bordering a very small wood, tenants and participants have used recycled materials and propagated plants over the years to create an established permaculture garden. Frequented by resident artists, food growers, bird watchers and sun-lovers this garden is open to the public for OGSW and events such as PBHA’s Harvest Festival. Access to the garden can be found between two Georgian houses on Clissold Road, which connects Albion Road with Church Street Stoke Newington. Open: Saturday: 10am–4pm, Sunday: 12.30–4pm Entrance: 23a Clissold Road Access: Access by two sets of steps, each with a handrail. Unfortunately we currently have no access for wheelchair users to the garden Nearest stations: Stoke Newington (1.5km), Manor House (1.8km) Buses: 141 & 341 to Stoke Newington Church Street, 73 & 476 to Stoke Newington Town Hall, 393 along Stoke Newington Church St Activities: All visitors will be given a tour. Produce and products from the garden for sale. Tea and cakes made by

participants from PBHA’s Plot to Plate project and catering enterprise. Art and joinery products to view and purchase, created by the Peter Bedford art group w www.peterbedford.org.uk Gardeners: The Clissold Gardening Group / Michael Turrisi Cg

B6. Core Landscape’s Popup Garden and Plant Nursery E16 Core Landscapes is a community plant nursery and ‘pop-up’ garden with a difference – it can move! We are custodians of a large ‘meanwhile’ site in East London, reclaiming and developing wasteland for community wellbeing and wildlife happiness on a temporary site. Land that would otherwise be inaccessible is opened up to the community for food and flower growing, volunteering, horticultural education and plant sales, in a supportive and friendly environment. We also offer horticultural support to other projects local to us. The whole project is designed to be movable from site to site. This year we will also have a new ‘Pop-Up Garden’ demonstrating what can be done with a few tyres, annual seeds and donated shrubs and perennials. Come and be inspired – and buy some lovely plants! Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm Entrance: On Silvertown Way opposite Hallsville Road Access: The site varies in accessibility but

Eastbury Manor is a grade I-listed Elizabethan manor with well-preserved walled gardens – a hidden gem. The walled garden retains its original internal brickwork, together with the bee boles used by the family for honey. An island of calm in a bustling location, the garden is attractively situated by the renewed façade of the house. The herb garden features herbs and flowers that would have been used in the Tudor era for cooking and medicines. Open: Sunday: 12–5pm Entrance: Main entrance in Eastbury Square Access: Wheelchair access via Eastbury Square. Some original staircases and steps may limit access to the house. Gardens fully accessible Nearest stations: Barking, Upney Buses: 287, 368 Activities: Guided tours throughout the day. Plant sales and garden rangers on hand to answer questions. Talks about Tudor Gardens at 2.30pm. More details of other activities nearer the time. Contact Katherine Diamond on 020 8227 5216, visit our website or see us on Facebook wwww.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/ eastbury

B8. East Village E20 Special Conditions apply London’s first Olympic legacy neighbourhood, on the doorstep of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The new neighbourhood will deliver high-quality new homes for individuals, couples and families. Set in 75 acres of land (equivalent to St James’s Park), the neighbourhood is characterised by its green spaces, offering five park areas, traditional garden squares teeming with nature, courtyards and play areas. The OGSWGuide 2014

Area B: North East London gates to the school Access: Level access, ramps Nearest station: Finsbury Park Buses: W7, W3, 210 Activities: Seed sowing. Face painting. Environmental art workshops. Music and food wwww.poolespark.com Environmental Educator: Sophia Ioannou Cg

B11. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park E20 1FL

Pooles Park Primary School

East Village Wetlands, the largest new wetlands in western Europe, not only offers residents access to wildflower meadows, lawns and wildlife but plays a fundamental role in the village’s innovative water recycling scheme. Inside the homes, similar innovations are capturing and re-using water for flushing toilets and irrigating the grounds. Living green- and brown-roof gardens on all buildings over 100m high complement the local environment. All apartments above ground floor level have at least one balcony and a partially enclosed glazed winter garden. Entrance: Meet at Management Office on Celebration Avenue, E20, adjacent to Stratford International Station, the opposite side from the shopping centre Nearest station: Stratford International Activities: Visit the Waterglades, never seen before. Access to the roof gardens in Vesta House. Pre-booked tours only. To book a place, please email hello@eastvillagelondon.co.uk after 23 May, saying how many places you require. Times and details will then be confirmed Conditions: The site can only be visited on a guided tour booked in advance. wwww.eastvillagelondon.co.uk

B9. Garden withdrawn 18

OGSWGuide 2014

B10. Pooles Park Primary School N4 3NW The Pooles Park Community Garden is a beautiful, interactive green space just five minutes’ walk from Finsbury Park station. Set within the school grounds it has, with much passion, care and commitment by the staff, children, families and many volunteers, evolved into a small oasis for the benefit of wildlife and us. In our productive Global Food Garden we grow a variety of organic fruit and vegetables from all over the world. Our greenhouse keeps our chillis, aubergines and okra plants warm. A mini trained-fruit orchard enhances a south-facing wall. We have extensive composting facilities and rainwater collection tanks. Our hens are very friendly and happy. The wildlife pond and bog garden, mini-woodland, native hedgerows, wildflower meadows and circles support both visiting and resident wildlife and enable the children of Pooles Park to grow up experiencing and seeing a variety of wildlife. We often fire up our earth oven to cook fresh, organic food from the garden. The environmental education journey began almost 10 years ago and our garden has since been used, studied, explored and developed by children and staff , visiting schools and organisations and a multitude of volunteers from the local and wider community. Open: Saturday: 11am–4pm Entrance: Hatley Road via the back

Created to host the highly successful London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, the park has now been transformed to become the centrepiece of five new residential neighbourhoods bringing new homes, schools, jobs and recreational facilities to the east end of London. Opened to the public in April 2014, visitors can now experience the gardens, landscaping and many of the venues which became world famous during the Games. To celebrate OGSW special walking tours will be provided by Blue Badge Guides. These are fully accessible and will cover the area prior to construction works which started in 2005 through to the bio diverse landscape now. Walkers will get to see and hear about the Royal Horticultural Society Garden, 2012 Gardens, James Field Corner, wetland planting, wildflower planting and history trees. Entrance: Westfield Avenue Access: The park is fully accessible Nearest station: Stratford Bus: 388 + others at Stratford Activities: Walking tours each day at 11am and 2pm, of around 90 minutes. Pre-booking essential. Private tours may also be booked throughout the year wnoordinarypark.co.uk

B12. St Angela’s Ursuline School E7 8HU The small group of Catholic Ursuline Sisters came from Holland to Forest Gate in 1862. They bought a large house with a very extensive piece of land and established the school known today as St Angela’s Ursuline School. The garden is very mature, indeed it boasts one of the oldest flowering tulip trees in this part of the country. In spite of the growth in the demands of the school, this veritable secret oasis in Newham has been retained and developed, and is currently tended lovingly on two days a week all year round. As the entire school campus is walled, its green refuge has given

Garden listings thousands of students and staff great joy over the last 152 years. Open: Saturday: 10am–4pm Entrance: Corner of St George’s Road and Upton Lane Access: The paths are completely level all around the school site. Ramps to access the toilets inside the building (up two small steps) Nearest station: Upton Park Buses: 25, 325 Activities: Sixth-form students will conduct tours of the garden and give a brief history of the school. Refreshments available wwww.stangelas-ursuline.co.uk Gardener: Dave Smith

B13. Stephens House and Gardens N3 3QE Surrounding the imposing grade II-listed mid-Victorian mansion Avenue House these extensive gardens contain a unique collection of trees. The land used to be known as Temple Croft Fields, after the Knights Templar who were granted it in 1243. From 1312 it belonged to the Knights Hospitaller until their estates were seized by Henry VIII in 1540. In 1732 it was bought by Thomas Allen. In 1859, the Reverend Edward Cooper, a relative of the Allen family, built the villa which became known as Avenue House. It was bought in 1874 by Henry Charles ‘Inky’ Stephens, son of the inventor of the famous blue-black ink. He died in 1918, bequeathing Avenue House to the people of Finchley. The gardens were designed by Robert Marnock, said to be the best landscape gardener of his time, with commissions from Bretton Hall in the late 1820s to Rousden in Devon in 1889. His distinctive ‘gardenesque’ style relied on a superb eye for landscape and good judgement, and appears to have remained unchanged throughout his career. The square-shaped kitchen garden behind the Bothy was built in 1882. It comprised three walls with corner towers, a gardener’s house with storage for carts, aquatic tank, potting shed and glasshouses. Today the garden looks quite different. It is divided into three main areas. Where once the glasshouses stood, there is now a large lawn. The aquatic tank has been filled with plants, and there is a wild garden filled with unusual plants, a formal garden with box edging and a pergola draped in roses. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: East End Road

Access: Level access, but some gravel paths and uneven surfaces Nearest station: Finchley Central Buses: 82, 125, 143, 326, 460 Activities: Bothy garden open. Tree trail around the historic arboretum. Homemade lunches and afternoon teas wwww.stephenshouseandgardens.com Head gardener: Sheila Staniland

B14. Valence House Museum Herb Garden RM8 3HT Valence House is a grade II*-listed building, dating from the 1400s. It is the only one surviving of the five manor houses of Dagenham. The house, now a local history museum, is sited in parkland and partially surrounded by a moat. The herb garden, which opened in 1992, was created by historic gardens consultant Virginia Nightingale. The central feature is a green pergola, surrounded by formal beds of roses and herbs. A new World War Two Garden has been created. Open: Saturday: 10am–4pm Entrance: Becontree Avenue, Dagenham Access: Herb garden and ground floor fully accessible. Accessible toilets in visitor centre Nearest stations: Becontree / Chadwell Heath, then bus 62. Buses: 5, 62, 128, 129, 364, 368 Activities: Guided garden tour, explaining about herbs and the World War Two Garden. House and visitor centre open. Café for light refreshments. Buy our Healing Herbs of Valence House

leaflet. For more details of other activities nearer the time, phone 020 8227 2034 wwww.lbbd.gov.uk/MuseumsAndHeritage/ValenceHouseMuseum

B15. West Ham Park and Nursery E7 9PU West Ham Park grows over 250,000 bedding plants for world-class displays that can be seen in the Square Mile, on Hampstead Heath and also for three of the Royal Parks at Richmond, Greenwich and Bushy. For OGSW, we will be opening our nursery to the public for a guided tour behind the scenes. Visitors will be shown around our glasshouses and see plants used for floral functions for state banquets at the Guildhall and Mansion House, residence of the Lord Mayor of London. Entrance: Main gate, Upton Lane Access: Level access but narrow paths Nearest stations: Plaistow, Upton Park, Stratford (2.25KM, bus) Buses: 104, 238, 328, 678 Activities: Guided tour on Saturday, 12.15-1.30pm. Advance booking essential. Call 020 8472 3584 to book a place. Opportunity to ask questions and purchase bedding plants.Following the tour, free self-guiding walks leaflets are available to the park and its amazing seven-acre ornamental gardens wwww.cityoflondon.gov.uk/westhampark Nursery Supervisor: Paul Harwood

Valence House Museum WW2 Garden OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Outer London

South East London

Buses: 2, 3, 37, 57, 68, 196, 322, 432, 468 Activities: Homemade afternoon teas. Plant sales. Greenhouses open to visitors. Lots of new information sheets for you to learn about plants in our displays wwww.brockwellparkcommunitygreenhouses.org.uk Community gardener: Alison Alexander

C3. Centre for Wildlife Gardening SE15 4EE

Ballast Quay Garden

C1. Ballast Quay Garden SE10 9PD This riverside garden is run by and for the neighbours of Ballast Quay. It was a wharf until the 1960s. For this weekend we welcome everyone and have sculpture on sale by Brian Greaves, blacksmith, and Kevin Herlihy, who designed and made the goat memorial. Dogs are very welcome, but owners beware: it’s a dangerous site. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Ballast Quay Access: Wheelchair access is difficult but not impossible with a carer Nearest station: Maze Hill Bus: 188 Activities: Exhibition on the history of the wharf. display by Men In Sheds. Homemade teas. Sculpture for sale Conditions: This is a riverside site, so great care is needed

C2. Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses SE24 9BJ We are a small charity providing local people with a space to garden, a beautiful setting for visitors to enjoy and a rich wildlife and horticultural resource for our many educational activities. This is a thriving community space with herb,

OGSWGuide 2014

medicinal, dye, vegetable, fruit and forest gardens as well as indoor displays in the two greenhouses. Managed and maintained largely by volunteers with the support of part-time staff, enthusiasm and love have turned the gardens into what you see today, a far cry from the disused municipal plant nursery of 20 years ago. Covering just under one acre, the gardens are made up of a series of garden rooms with a wildlife corridor running the length of the boundary. We share an original grade II-listed wall with the neighbouring Walled Garden. The two Clearspan aluminium-framed greenhouses date back to the 1980s and are the last of their kind in London. We aim to offer visitors and the local community a relaxed and tranquil environment where they can learn about ornamental and crop plants from around the world, wildlife and the environment as a whole. Volunteering is open to everyone, and we are open throughout the year, come rain or shine. Please contact us via the website, where you can also find information about events and education activities. The project received a Green Flag Community Award in 2013. Open: Sunday: 1–5pm Entrance: Dulwich Road, Brockwell Park Gardens, Brixton Water Lane or Tulse Hill Access: Some uneven paths, but the greenhouses and most of the garden are accessible Nearest station: Herne Hill

A mosaic of inspiring mini-habitats demonstrating how you can help wildlife, whatever size of space you may have. The plant nursery supplies wildflowers, herbs and cottage-garden plants, as well as native trees and shrubs in season. The centre won a Green Flag Community Award in 2013. Open: Sunday: 12.30–4.30pm Entrance: 28 Marsden Road Access: Fully accessible Nearest stations: East Dulwich, Peckham Rye Buses: 185, 40, 37, 176, 484 Activities: Children’s crafts and games. Wildlife gardening advice. Plant sale. Refreshments wwww.wildlondon.org.uk Site and projects manager: Lorna Fox

C4. Charlton Manor Primary School SE7 7EF Hidden away behind Charlton Manor Primary School dining restaurant you will find our secret garden. A number of years ago it was derelict and overgrown. Today it’s a haven that includes raised beds, vegetable plots, fruit trees and vines, a large heated greenhouse, wildlife area with pond, bird hide, chickens and our very own observation beehive. The garden is used all year round by all ages with a variety of gardening clubs at lunchtime and after school. In 2012 Charlton Manor led a group of other schools in Greenwich on a learning journey into plant care, which resulted in us growing the most beautiful cut flowers, being awarded a silver gilt medal at the Chelsea Flower Show and meeting Her Majesty the Queen. In 2013 we were again awarded a silver gilt medal at Chelsea and gained further awards at Hampton Court Flower Show and RHS Capel Manor. We have been invited to enter all again in 2014. Since the beginning of 2013 we have been working closely with Woodlands Farm, Shooters Hill, on our very own school vegetable plot, giving children the experience of a

Garden listings real working farm and the opportunity to grow produce to be used in our state-ofthe-art teaching kitchen and newly furnished dining restaurant. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–4pm Entrance: Indus Road Access: Gravel paths may be difficult for wheelchairs, but we can assist Nearest station: Charlton Buses: 53, 54, 89, 422, 486 Activities: Tea, coffee and homemade honey cake made from our own honey. Pond-dipping. Talk and exploration of our observation beehive. Tour of the garden with staff available to answer questions wwww.charltonmanor.greenwich.sch.uk School gardener: Nicholas Shelley Cg

C5. Culverley Green SE6 2JZ The gardens here form a triangle at the junction of three roads and were originally laid out as part of plans for an early Edwardian estate, now a conservation area. The planting scheme comprises informal groupings of shrubbery set in a lawn. The spring bulb planting scheme has continued with the planting of more bulbs in the autumn of 2013 and some raised beds. The local residents’ association continues to campaign for funds to upgrade the planting scheme – with some success – and to replace the chain-link fence by reinstating the boundary railings, as well as use the green as a focus for communal activities. Open: Sunday: 2–5pm Entrance: Culverley Road Nearest station: Catford Bridge Buses: 54, 75, 124, 136, 181, 185, 202, 208, 284 Activities: Garden fête on Sunday afternoon. Teas and homemade cakes and jams, local honey (from surrounding roads). Plant stall, local crafts for sale, raffle, face-painting, games for small children and music wwww.culverleygreen.org

miles from Herne Hill to the southern tip of Sydenham Ridge. This was mostly covered by mixed oak woodland and was part of the Great North Wood, which then extended from New Cross to Croydon. When Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries in 1542, he had the Dulwich estate surveyed. In 1605 the manor was sold to Edward Alleyn, who later set up the College of God’s Gift, which today owns Dulwich Upper Wood. Within this area lie two old woodland boundaries, a line of ancient coppiced and pollarded trees and a ditch marking the subdivisions of the Great North Wood. In 1852 the Crystal Palace from the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park was re-erected on the ridge of Sydenham Hill. With the Crystal Palace came the high-level railway station and residential roads. It was at this time that eight large houses with gardens were built along the east side of Farquhar Road. In 1936 the Crystal Palace burnt down and thereafter the area went into decline. The railway station fell into disuse and was eventually demolished, with prefabricated houses erected on the site. Some of the Victorian houses were bombed during WW2. Others were neglected and had to be demolished. By 1960 most of the site was overgrown and only 18 Farquhar Road was still lived in. The basements of the houses can still be seen today and have become an important feature of the

wood. In 1981 the Dulwich Society, together with the Greater London Council and Southwark council arranged for the Trust for Urban Ecology (then the Ecological Parks Trust) to manage the wood as a nature reserve. Spinney Gardens Housing Estate was built in 1986, with Bowley Lane linking it to Farquhar Road. This link road cut through the southern section of the wood, separating a small triangle of land from the rest of the wood. Since 1988 a number of improvements have been made to the site to enhance wildlife value, and improve educational facilities and disabled access. This includes the fungi and fern gardens developed in the basements and a pond/marsh area, made using the London clay under the site. A grant was obtained in 2003 to renovate the terraces/wild area. A new woodland centre is soon to open to help with interpretation and management of the site. A new woodland food garden has just been created. Open: Sunday: 10am–4.30pm Entrance: East side of Farquhar Road Access: Some of the site is on slopes, so is not suitable for wheelchairs, with some steps, etc, but there is a path that goes right through the nature reserve that is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. There are a couple of bark paths Nearest station: Gipsy Hill or Crystal Palace

C6. Dulwich Upper Wood LNR SE19 1SS The present-day shape of Dulwich Upper Wood can be traced back to the Great North Wood and the rapid land-use changes within the Crystal Palace area since the mid-1800s. From the 12th to the 15th century, the Manor of Dulwich – the area which today contains the wood – belonged to the Abbot of Bermondsey. The Manor stretched for more than two

Charlton Manor Primary School OGSWGuide 2014

Area C: South East London Buses: 3, 122, 157, 202, 227, 322, 358, 363, 410, 417 to Crystal Palace Activities: Walk around a lovely woodland local nature reserve – guided tours at 11am and 2pm. Portakabin with local history and wildlife information wwww.urbanecology.org.uk/ dulwich.html Site manager/warden: Jim Murphy / Malcolm Crewe

Buses: 89, 96, 422, 486, B11, B12, B14, B15, B16 Activities: Tearoom and shop. House can be visited for an additional entry fee (National Trust members free) after 1.30pm. Guided tours of the house from 11am to 1.30pm by prior booking only wwww.nationaltrust.org.uk/red-house/

C8. The Secret Orchard C7. Red House DA6 8JF Simple garden and orchard surrounding the only house commissioned, created and lived in by William Morris, founder of the Arts and Crafts movement. Red House is a building of extraordinary architectural and social significance. When it was completed in 1860, it was described by Edward Burne-Jones as ‘the beautifullest place on earth’. Open: Saturday: 11am–5pm, Sunday: 11am–5pm Entrance: Red House Lane, Bexleyheath Access: Difficult access for wheelchairs with uneven brick paths and some steps Nearest station: Bexleyheath

South London Botanical Institute

OGSWGuide 2014

SE14 6AF The features of this garden include a soft fruit area, a newly planted urban orchard with heritage pear varieties, apples and cherries, and an espalier wall planted by Cafe Crema and the London Orchard project. Visit our wildlife pond, meet the ducks and look around our greenhouse and potting shed (which has a small reference library and lots of gardening magazines). Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Through Café Crema, 306 New Cross Road, or from Laurie Grove Access: Difficult for wheelchairs coming through café entrance. For side entrance, wheelchairs are possible but not ideal, as

the ground is woodchip and uneven Nearest stations: New Cross, New Cross Gate Buses: 21, 53, 136, 171, 172, 177, 225, 321, 343, 436, 453 Activities: Fully licensed vegetarian and vegan café. Local honey and homemade cakes and lunches on sale, Fairtrade and organic teas and coffees. Freshly laid duck eggs from our Indian Runners (subject to laying mood). Come and feed the ducks. Mini-stall selling local produce. Strawberry plants for sale. Homemade, homegrown raspberry tarts, gluten-free Conditions: No picnics wwww.cafecremaevents.co.uk Gardener: Kiri Lewin Cg

C9. South London Botanical Institute SE24 9AQ The South London Botanical Institute (SLBI), which celebrated its centenary in 2010, continues to fulfil its original remit to inspire local people to find fascination in the plant world. The SLBI supports London’s smallest botanic garden, which is densely planted with over 500 labelled

Garden listings species, grown in a formal layout of themed borders. Traditional medicinal herbs grow beside plants used in current pharmaceutical research. Ferns, carnivorous plants, British natives, scented plants, monocots and droughttolerant plants are all featured, alongside rare trees and shrubs from the southern hemisphere. This year we are in the process of creating a moss trail. Two years ago, we created a new pond and wetland area at the heart of the garden. There is access for pond-dipping and new planting which will continue to provide a home for frogs and newts. We have recreated the ‘living museum of strange visitors’, as the original garden was described in a newspaper article in 1912. The writer marvelled at the profusion of wildflowers allowed to flourish in the garden, and this tradition continues. Other features include a specially commissioned mosaic, designed by Emma Biggs, to celebrate the centenary. Open: Sunday: 2–5pm Entrance: 323 Norwood Road Access: Narrow paths Nearest station: Tulse Hill Buses: 68, 196 322, 468, 2, 201, 415, 432 Activities: Opportunity to explore the Institute’s fascinating building. Unusual plants for sale. Exhibition of botanical illustrations. Homemade teas wwww.slbi.org.uk Head gardener: Sarah Davey

Sydenham Garden

Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 11am–4pm Entrance: 28A Wynell Road Access: Site ifully accessible with purpose-built ramps Nearest station: Forest Hill Buses: 75, 202, 356 Activities: Refreshments (drinks, cakes), plant and art and craft sales. Awardwinning resource centre also open wwww.sydenhamgarden.org.uk Garden manager: David

C10. Sydenham Garden SE23 2LW

C11. Winsford Gardens

Sydenham Garden is an award-winning charity providing gardening, nature conservation and creative opportunities for the well-being of local residents. We provide a place where local people, particularly those coping with ill-health, can gain confidence and self-esteem through work and community. Referred clients, known as co-workers, work alongside regular volunteers and trained staff to help maintain the community garden and nature reserve. For those who prefer to develop their creative skills, we also offer a wide range of arts and crafts courses and activities. The centre and nature reserve is for the whole community, but will particularly help those coping with ill-health. The garden includes a pond, nature reserve, raisedbed vegetable growing area, Victorian-style greenhouse and planted beds. Our resource centre, built to Passivhaus principles, received a best mental-health design award in the Building Better Healthcare awards.

SE20 7RN Once the private gardens of Winsford House, the garden retains many original features, including ornamental shrub beds, fruit trees, rose gardens and lawns. More recently, while open as a public park, the gardens were neglected. Environmental charity The Conservation Volunteers (TVC – formally BTCV) recruited local volunteers to form Penge Green Gym in May 2011. Since then the group has worked to breathe life into the gardens, transforming the site into an exciting, attractive community space and wildlife garden. In May 2013, Penge Green Gym became a community group, independent of TCV and now manages the site. Weekly sessions by Penge Green Gym have increased colour and vibrancy in the gardens, created a sustainable food-growing space, herb garden and propagation area, developed native wildflower meadows, increased wildlife habitats through constructing stag

beetle loggeries, insect hotels and wood piles, and planted an urban orchard and hedgerows. Last year we installed an interpretation board, built some natural seating and created a children’s play area. Where possible we use only natural, locally sourced and sustainable materials and we have successfully encouraged recreational use of the park by the local community once more. More funds will help us to create a bog garden, to renovate our damaged willow dome and arch, and help to build a compostable toilet facility for volunteers. Winsford Gardens is now a beautiful and peaceful community environment and we have won awards. In 2012 our efforts were recognised by Bromley Council, which honoured us with their environmental award. In 2013, Winsford Gardens was given a Penge In Bloom award for the Most Interesting Residential/Community Area. Open: Saturday: 11am–4pm Entrance: Croydon Road or Garden Road Access: Wide central path and level lawns allows access for all users Nearest stations: Kent House, Anerley, Penge West Buses: 176, 197, 356, 358, 75 Activities: Children’s crafts including making bird feeders and bug hotels. A treasure hunt. Plant sale. Lawn for picnics. Informal guided tours of the garden with Penge Green Gym volunteers. Refreshments stall wwww.pengegreengym.org.uk Penge Green Gym committee officer: Electra Thompson Cg OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Outer London

South West London

D1. Bramford Community Garden SW18 1EW

D2. Carshalton House Landscape Garden SM5 3NY

Bramford Community Garden is designed and managed as a model of sustainability. Run by Transition Town Wandsworth volunteers, it aims to provide wildlife benefit, incorporate productive elements and be beautiful, contributing to its setting within a public park and educating the community on environmental issues in gardening. The garden includes herbs, wildlife-attracting and other productive plants, mixed among colourful herbaceous borders, to demonstrate that a planting scheme can be productive and sustainable as well as attractive. Open: Sunday: 2–5pm Entrance: Old York Road, opposite Homebase entrance Access: The garden is situated within a park and can be easily viewed from the public footpath. The raised bed area is accessible for pushchairs Nearest station: Wandsworth Town Buses: 28, 44 (stop outside) + 28, 37, 39, 44, 87, 156, 170, 270, 337, 670 (500m) Activities: We’ll be offering gardening workshops and the opportunity to take home a wide selection of herbs wwww.ttwandsworth.wordpress.com/ community-garden

The grounds of 17th-century Carshalton House feature the remains of a formal landscape garden of 1716–20, laid out for Sir John Fellowes, sub-governor of the South Sea Company. The early gardens may have been designed by Charles Bridgeman, and include a water tower by architect Henry Joynes. A serpentine lake (now dry) with sham bridge was added in the later 18th century, replacing an earlier formal canal. The chalk-and-brick hermitage or grotto dates from around 1750. The remains of a wilderness survive as boundary plantings. The ornate brickand-stone water tower is a fine example of baroque architecture, and contains an orangery, pump chamber, saloon and plunge bath, with ornamental ceiling and tall arched openings. Open: Sunday: 1–5pm Entrance: Pedestrian entrance to water tower in West Street Access: The water tower is wheelchairaccessible. Access to Hermitage via steps. Please phone 020 8647 0984 in advance regarding disabled access Nearest station: Carshalton Buses: 127, 157, 407 Car parking: No car parking on site. Parking in Festival Walk or Carshalton village Activities: Water tower open all afternoon. Guided walks of the grounds and hermitage according to demand wcarshaltonwatertower.co.uk

D3. Growing Gardens Community Project at Deen City Farm SW19 2RR

Growing Gardens Community Project

OGSWGuide 2014

The Growing Gardens Community Project is a hidden garden on a city farm, begun in 2003 on a disused, overgrown part of the farm. Once bramble- and nettleridden, now visitors can wander its colourful paths and be inspired by the quirky, creative approach to gardening. There are raised vegetable areas, allotment and demonstration composting areas, a wildlife garden and pond. The garden is maintained by a steady stream of garden volunteers. At the back of the garden is a turf maze, overlooked by an eco-cob building, which features a Fizzy

Bottle Roof designed by artist William Waterhouse, created by the community out of 5,000 plastic bottles. The building won the Guardian Green Award for Best Green Building 2009. The project hosts monthly workshops on subjects such as bee-keeping, kitchen gardening and medicinal herbs, which tie in with the garden’s ethos on sustainability. Green Fingers educational tours are also held for local schools. Growing Links allows people with mental health problems to do a spot of gardening on a Wednesday. The garden, supported by the City Bridge Trust, has won several awards over the years, including Merton in Bloom Best Community Garden 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013. Open: Saturday: 10am–4.30pm, Sunday: 10am–4.30pm Entrance: Along the river Wandle Access: Some narrow paths but the garden is mainly wheelchair-accessible Nearest stations: Phipps Bridge, Colliers Wood Bus: 200 wgrowinggardensproject.blogspot.co.uk Community gardeners and garden manager: Lucy Hyde, Cressida Knapp and Louisa Loakes

D4. Fulham Palace SW6 6EA Fulham Palace was home to the Bishops of London from AD 700 to 1973. The palace itself is an architectural treasure, including elements from the Tudor, Georgian and Victorian periods. It lies in 13 acres of lawn and gardens that still reflect the 18th-century landscape design. There are many interesting and unusual trees and plants. During 2010-12 the gardens and nearby Bishops Park were restored, thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Hammersmith and Fulham council. Visitors can view the rebuilt vinery and ongoing work within the re-opened walled garden. Open: Saturday: 11am–4pm Entrance: At end of Bishop’s Avenue by gates to Bishop’s Park or by gate close to All Saints Church in Bishops Park Access: The walled garden is accessible but some paths are narrow. The surface of the gravel paths varies, so manual wheelchair users may need assistance Nearest station: Putney Bridge Buses: 14, 74, 220, 414, 430 Activities: Three special guided tours by volunteers for OGSW ticket holders at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Head gardener and members of the gardening team present in the walled garden. Museum open 1-

Garden listings 4pm. Drawing Room café serving light meals and refreshments, open 9am5pm. Plants for sale wwww.fulhampalace.org Head gardener: Lucy Hart

D5. Fulham Palace Meadows Allotments SW6 6EA Fulham Palace Meadows Allotment Association runs this site by the Thames in the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. A gift from the Bishop of London in 1916, the site is exceptional in that it covers an Anglo-Saxon site of historical importance. It is set within a designated Scheduled Ancient Monument area and under the jurisdiction of English Heritage. In the later Middle Ages, Fulham Palace is reputed to have been the largest moated area in Europe. Run by dedicated volunteers, FPMAA plays a vital part in local life. With 406 plots, an amazing cross-section of LBHF residents from all walks of life gain a unique and exceptional experience within this innercity haven. Open: Saturday: 11.30am–3.30pm Entrance: From Fulham Palace Access: Narrow paths with uneven surfaces, so not very suitable for wheelchairs Nearest station: Putney Bridge Buses: 14, 74, 22, 414, 430 Activities: Guided tours. Teas and light refreshments. Plant and produce stall wwww.fpmaa.com

D6. Grove House Estate (Roehampton University) SW15 5PJ Roehampton Great House originally stood on this site, built in 1625 for the Lord High Treasurer of England under Charles I. Some of the foundations are still visible in the cellar of Grove House. James Wyatt built the present house in 1792 for Sir Joshua Vanneck. Now part of Roehampton University, the beautiful listed grounds of Grove House were first laid out in the 18th century, when Capability Brown is believed to have been consulted. The formal gardens, lily pond with fountain and limestone terrace were added in the 19th century, as well as the grotto (it is said, to deaden the noise from the adjacent convent!) There is also a lake, a sham bridge and a mausoleum. The icehouse was only discovered in 1998, when exploratory work on the grotto revealed a bricked-up door.

Fulham Palace Meadows Allotments

Open: Saturday: 11am–4pm Entrance: Roehampton Lane Access: Most of the circuit of the garden is accessible by wheelchair. There are some steps but alternative routes are available. Uneven surface in places Nearest station: Barnes (1km) Buses: 72, 265 and 493 stop outside, 85 and 170 a few minutes’ walk away Car parking: Parking available on site. Activities: Self-guided walks with information sheets wwww.roehampton.ac.uk/froebel

D7. Ham House and Garden TW10 7RS One of a series of grand houses and palaces alongside the River Thames, Ham House and Garden stands as one of Europe’s greatest 17th-century houses. The house is surrounded by beautiful formal gardens that have been largely restored to their original 17th-century splendour. The restoration project is based upon a plan dating back to 1671 by Slezer and Wyck, which can be seen on display inside the house in the library closet. Highlights of the garden include the much-photographed cherry garden and its geometric lavender and santolina parterres, the maze-like planting of

hornbeam hedges in the wilderness and a beautiful walled kitchen garden. The kitchen garden has been at Ham since at least 1653 and is currently one of the most productive walled kitchen gardens in London. It provides the café with produce all year round, from purplepodded peas to salsify, skirret and scorzonera – the gardeners aim to be as true to the 17th century as possible. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Ham Street Nearest stations: Richmond (1¾ miles/2.8KM, bus) Bus: 65 to Sandpits Road or 371 to Ham Street (10-15 minute walk) Car parking: Free council-owned car park 400m away Activities: Regular free half-hour tours of the garden with our friendly volunteer garden guides. Choose from a variety of freshly made sandwiches, cakes and homemade soups in the Orangery café. Children’s garden trail available from visitor reception (small charge applies) Conditions: Visit to house not included in event. Last entry 4.30pm wwww.nationaltrust.org.uk/hamhouse Garden and countryside manager: Patrick Kelly

OGSWGuide 2014

Area D: South West London

Rookery and Streatham Common Community Garden

D8. Rookery and Streatham Common Community Garden SW16 3BZ Mineral wells were discovered here in 1659, adjacent to Streatham Common, which established Streatham as a fashionable spa village. Around 1786 a large house, later known as the Rookery, was built in three acres of private gardens. After the wells moved elsewhere in Streatham, the house was occupied by a number of notable residents. In 1912 the area came under threat from development. A local resident, Stenton Covington, led a campaign to save the site as a public garden. The house was demolished and the gardens, created by Major Maud of the London County Council, opened to the public on 23 July 1913. The wide lawn and terrace – with its magnificent cedar and surrounded by rhododendrons – are typical of Edwardian gardens. Wide steps lead down to the originally walled Old English Garden, part of it known as the White Garden. This garden was made popular by Queen Mary and the Princess Royal, who made a private visit in 1936. Having now celebrated its centenary year, you can now see one of the original well heads and the cascade, and view some of the exotic plants, including striking azaleas,

OGSWGuide 2014

Japanese acers, gunneras and bamboos. The Streatham Society has recently published a fully illustrated history of the gardens which is available for purchase. Streatham Common Community Garden is a local food-growing project in a historic ‘secret garden’. Now in its third full year, the project has brought the Rookery’s Old Walled Nursery Garden back from neglect and into productive use, continuing a history of nursery foodgrowing on the site going back 230 years. The garden is now a charity in its own right. Once a kitchen garden featuring a heated greenhouse and coldframes, this garden had fallen into disrepair after many successful years of use as a council plant nursery. Volunteers are involved in the project, which aims to spread foodgrowing and sustainable-living skills, with work having started to restore this very special and much-loved garden to its former glory. Gaze up at our 200-yearold mulberry tree, see the newly planted heritage fruit garden and explore our edible hedge. Admire the new fruit trees planted in the adjacent orchard, which have been funded by Streatham Action using a grant from the Mayor of London. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Top (NE) end of Streatham Common South. The Community Garden is reached via the Walled Garden

Access: Wheelchair access available Nearest stations: Streatham Bus: 249 Activities: Horticultural trail designed by students of Capel Manor College. Full history of the site available, published by the Streatham Society. Information sheet and conducted tours of the community garden. Photo displays. Sale of plants and produce to raise funds for the gardens. Café at the park entrance

D9. St Michael’s Convent TW10 7JH Four acres of garden, behind a convent, including a walled vegetable garden, orchards, vine house, ancient mulberry tree, extensive borders, labyrinth, meditation and Bible gardens. Open: Saturday: 2–5pm Entrance: 56 Ham Common Access: Some gravel paths difficult for wheelchair users Nearest station: Richmond (4km; bus) Bus: 65 to Ham Gate Avenue Activities: There are seats and benches around the garden to sit and be. Walking the labyrinth wwww.sistersofthechurch.org.uk Gardener: The Garden Sister

Garden listings

D10. Share Community Horticulture Project SW17 7DJ This beautiful 2.5-acre walled garden, set within the grounds of Springfield University Hospital, maintains a strong link with its historic past in both planting and function. The project is based in the Gillian Webb Memorial Garden, which was once the Male Airing Court in the days when Springfield was the Surrey County Pauper Lunatic Asylum. In 1841, the space was laid out with vegetable plots maintained by the patients. Today Share, a charity that provides training and employment support for disabled adults, uses the space as a hub for its thriving horticultural training project. The site includes a number of polytunnels and a glasshouse, which trainees use all year round to produce bedding plants, food crops and decorative plants to use in Share’s kitchen or for sale. Other features include colourful herbaceous and shrub borders, a herb garden, a pond and a willow arbour with a mosaic floor. A recent addition to the site is a ‘beelovely’ garden, specially planted to encourage bees at a time when these useful little creatures are in national decline. The garden is also the headquarters of Share Gardening, one of Share’s social enterprises, which provides a pathway to work experience and employment for many of our students in

a safe and supported environment. Drinks and refreshments are provided throughout OGSW by Share Catering, another of our social enterprises. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Vehicle access in Glenburnie Road; pedestrian and bicycle access also from Burntwood Lane. The garden is situated in a walled enclosure to the northwest of the Main Building, facing the golf course Nearest stations: Tooting Bec (1.4km), Wandsworth Common (1.7km) Bus: G1 to Springfield Hospital Car parking: Parking close to the garden. Disabled drivers can park in the garden. All drivers need a parking permit, available at the Gatehouse at the Glenburnie Road entrance Activities: Plant sale. Tea, coffee and cake. Cold drinks Conditions: No alcohol wwww.sharecommunity.org.uk Horticulture Manager: Jenny Shand

D11. Tooting Community Garden SW16 1RN Tooting Community Garden provides a space for local people to learn and practise sustainable food production. More than just a vegetable garden, this previously unused space has undergone

a transformation to become a green space enjoyed by many in the community – for gardening, gettogethers, education and discovery. The garden is nestled behind a large house on North Drive, very close to Tooting Common’s magnificent Lido, and is a Tooting Transition Town project. Visitors can explore the garden, following the paths through natural areas, vegetable plots, herbs, fruit trees and the willow yurt. Children can play on the slide and swings, while you relax in the grass or under the holm oak. Join in with activities in the new garden room. There will be plenty of opportunities to do some gardening, swap home-grown recipes tried and tested at Tooting’s annual autumn Foodival, and much more. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Through the black gate on the left hand side of 5 North Drive Access: We have some uneven ground in the garden which may make it difficult for wheelchair access Nearest stations: Streatham (1.1km, bus), Tooting Bec (1.5km, bus) Buses: 249, 319 Activities: Range of fun activities for everyone, young and old. Stay up to date with plans on our Facebook page wtransitiontowntooting.blogspot.co.uk

St Michael’s Convent OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Inner London

Hammersmith + Acton + Chiswick Legible London

c Acton Acton Park e Central E1

The Oaks Shopping Centre

H S TRE

Acton Mosque

Virgin Active Health Club e

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St Paul’s P l’ St. Preparatory School

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St. Mary’s Convent & n Nursing Home r

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Griffin Fuller’s Brewery

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Ravenscourt Park

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CHISW Christ Chiswick h Turnham Church Police Station Church of E C Green RRA Our Lady of Grace LD TE E I F H H E AT & St. Edward RC Church Chiswick Town Hall

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South Acton

Askew e Road Library a

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Garden listings

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© Transport for London Based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery OfÀce © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. TfL Licence Number LA100032379 2014

F Transport for London

OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Inner London

Hammersmith + Acton + Chiswick

E1. Acton Community Garden W3 7JT A small garden featuring a ‘Capital Growth’ community vegetable-growing area, nature pond and example hedgerow, meadow and woodland. Maintained by the Borough’s Rangers with assistance from community groups and volunteers. Open: Saturday: 11am–3.30pm Entrance: Via The Lodge, Acton Park, The Vale, Acton Access: Some inclined paths, mostly accessible by wheelchairs with assistance Nearest station: Acton Central Buses: 70, 207, 266, 607 Activities: Informal tours Cg

E2. Chiswick House Walled Gardens W4 2QN These spectacular 17th-century 2.5-acre walled gardens were created in 1682 by Sir Stephen Fox, Paymaster General of the Armed Forces and Samuel Pepys’ employer. In the early 19th century the gardens were incorporated into the 6th Duke of Devonshire’s estate at Chiswick House. What had begun as a fashionable ‘wilderness’ of shrubs and specimen plants evolved into a productive garden, finally falling into decay in the late 20th century. Under the umbrella of Chiswick

House and Gardens Trust, restoration works based on documentary research and archaeological evidence have recently transformed the gardens. The northern walled garden has been turned from an abandoned modern nursery into a cherry orchard. In the southern walled garden, lost paths have been reinstated and over 240 historic fruit trees and soft fruits planted by volunteers. The appointment of a community gardener in June 2010 (funded by the Big Lottery Fund’s local food scheme) has led to the recruitment of many more volunteers and on-going contact with local community groups and schools. As well as regular volunteering sessions, a schools education programme is running one day a week and therapeutic gardening sessions are offered to groups who benefit from ‘hands on’ horticultural activities. The garden continues to develop. As well as our existing herb, flower, fruit and crop rotation a new fruit cage has been constructed with the help of volunteers. We have a colony of bees established through the London Mayor’s Capital Bee initiative. The walled gardens are reached via the newly restored Italian garden and splendid 300ft conservatory built in 1813. Open: Sunday: 11am–3pm Entrance: Via the Conservatory Access: Gravel paths in the walled

garden. The garden is accessible via two ramped entrances in the conservatory for those visitors who find steps difficult Nearest station: Chiswick Buses: E3, 190 Activities: Special tours of the restored walled gardens and conservatory at 12 and 2pm. Plant, flower and vegetable sales. All funds raised support the continued preservation of Chiswick House Gardens. Check www.chgt.org.uk for more garden events and walled gardens open days wwww.chgt.org.uk Community gardener: William Rallison

E3. John Betts House W12 9NJ John Betts House is part of the Hammersmith United Charities’ Almshouses. This is a private garden for older people. It is a past gold medalwinner in the London Gardens Society and Hammersmith & Fulham in Bloom competitions. The garden features many interesting plants, hanging baskets, a greenhouse, raised vegetable beds, a water feature and balconies with residents’ container gardens. The garden is a beautiful safe haven of which the residents are rightly proud. Open: Saturday: 2–5pm Entrance: Goldhawk Road / Rylett Road Nearest station: Stamford Brook Buses: 94, 237, 272 Activities: Homemade cakes and plant sales wwww.hamunitedcharities.org.uk Gardener: Jackie Thompson

E4. Ravenscourt Park Glasshouses W6 0UL

Chiswick House Walled Gardens

OGSWGuide 2014

Situated within Ravenscourt Park next to the café, Ravenscourt Park Glasshouses were formerly used by the local authority and fell into disrepair. Hammersmith Community Gardens Association received permission to take over the management of the two large glasshouses and walled garden and have brought the garden back to life. The display glasshouse showcases fruit, vegetable and flower growing, with an emphasis on unusual varieties, which are

Garden listings very popular with our school groups who regularly visit the site. Our Shelf Life project is extremely popular with children and adults, as it shows plants growing in food containers – for example, chickpea plants in a humous tub, tomatoes in a ketchup bottle and potatoes in a crisp packet. The second greenhouse is a nursery and used by volunteers to raise seedlings and cuttings for the site and other local community gardens. The beautiful walled garden includes a medicinal herb border and vegetable plots, as well as benches for picnics. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm Entrance: To the right of café in the park Nearest station: Ravenscourt Park Buses: 27, 94, 190, 237, 266, 267, 391, H91 Activities: Herbal activities. Live music. Make a pedal-powered smoothie on our smoothie bike. Café next door w hcga.org.uk

E5. The River Café W6 9HA Special Conditions apply Fresh, seasonal produce has been a cornerstone of The River Café since it opened in 1987. Situated beside the Thames, its garden is a natural extension of this approach to food. A variety of Italian salad leaves, vegetables and herbs are grown, which make their way onto the daily changing menus. In fine weather, the restaurant extends throughout the garden among the long planters and fruit trees. For gardener Simon Hewitt, there are many challenges – from growing everything in containers to the exposed riverside conditions – which are balanced with all the rewards – a freshly picked and podded broad bean, or some intensely flavoured quince paste served with a cheese plate. Entrance: Thames Path at Rainville Road Nearest station: Hammersmith (about 1 mile) Buses: 190, 211, 220, 295 Activities: Meet the gardener, Simon Hewitt, who will be giving two guided walks around the garden on Saturday at 9.15am and 10.15am and answering any questions. Now fully booked Conditions: The garden can be visited only on an escorted tour. Advance booking essential. Now fully booked wwww.rivercafe.co.uk Gardener: Simon Hewitt

Sycamore House

designed and planted in March 2012. Features include plants to encourage bees and butterflies, a fishpond, pergola and arches for climbing plants, and raised beds for residents to do their own gardening. This is a completely hidden oasis right in the middle of Shepherd’s Bush. Sister scheme to John Betts House. Bronze winner for large community garden from the London Garden Society 2013. Open: Saturday: 2–5pm Entrance: Sycamore Gardens Access: This garden is designed for easy access for all abilities. Nearest station: Goldhawk Road Buses: 94, 237 Activities: Tea, coffee, homemade cakes. Plant and craft stalls. whamunitedcharities.org.uk/housing /sycamore-house Head gardener: Jackie Thompson

E7. William Morris Society W6 9TA

E6. Sycamore House W6 0AS Sycamore House is sheltered housing for the over-55s run by Hammersmith United Charities. The garden was

William Morris lived at Kelmscott House for the last 18 years of his life. He wrote: ‘The situation is certainly the prettiest in London... the garden is really most beautiful’. The gardens have altered in

size since Morris’s time and this is a rare opportunity to view them. The small, shady lower garden contains a variety of ferns, which thrive well in its microclimate. The upper walled garden was replanted in 2007 and the largest garden contains a variety of roses, wild strawberries and a wonderful magnolia tree. The lower floors of Kelmscott House are now the headquarters of the William Morris Society and contain a registered museum dedicated to his life and work. The museum is open on Thursdays and Saturdays 2–5pm, although the gardens are not normally open. Open: Saturday: 2–4.30pm Entrance: 26 Upper Mall; through the coach house in the cobbled courtyard, to the left of the house Access: Access to garden up three steps. Museum partly accessible to wheelchair users Nearest station: Hammersmith Buses: 27, 91, 267, 290 Activities: Museum open. Book and gift stall. Handout containing Morris’s description and plan of the 1880s garden. Display of Morris’s designs. Children’s quiz and trail. Refreshments available wwww.williammorrissociety.org.uk

OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Inner London

Hampstead

Legible London walking scale 0

5 mins

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Lyndhurstt Hall (Air Aii SStudios) Studi dios) s))

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Royal Free Hospital

C Transport for London

Garden listings AREA

Inner London

Hampstead

F1. Branch Hill Allotments NW3 7LT On the corner of Oakhill Way, Branch Hill and Frognal, the allotment site was once the garden of Branch Hill House, a substantial Edwardian mansion occupied for some years by John Spedan Lewis, founder of the John Lewis Partnership. It was converted to council accommodation for the elderly in the 1970s. The gardens had uncertain status during the 1980s, but enterprising locals and would-be gardeners nudged the planners in a green direction by growing vegetables and informally maintaining the estate. They were supported by local residents and The Heath Society, leading Camden Council to earmark the land for community use as allotments. Today there are 32 plots, managed by Camden. Some are divided in half, so some 40 people have a contractual arrangement. Probably half as many again (friends of holders) garden there and visiting schoolchildren are pleased to assist. The glorious combe, in an area previously frequented by poets such as John Keats and Gerard Manley Hopkins, and artists John Constable and George Romney, is home to a variety of wildlife. The Branch Hill Allotments Association contributes to the maintenance of the estate and

Squares & Gardens Key F1

Branch Hill Allotments

Fenton House Garden F3 Gainsborough Gardens F4 The Hill Garden & Pergola F5 World Peace Garden Camden F2

Opening Days Open Saturday & Sunday Please check individual listings for times

Key Underground station Overground station

A3 A3 B3 A2 C4

Branch Hill Allotments

represents gardeners’ interests in general. The aim is to allow wildness while developing cultivation. We hope you enjoy your visit! Open: Saturday: 2–5pm, Sunday: 2–5pm Entrance: Corner of Oak Hill Way and Frognal Rise Access: Steeply sloping site with narrow grass paths and steps Nearest station: Hampstead Buses: 46, 210, 268 Conditions: Visitors are advised to keep to the main paths

F2. Fenton House Garden NW3 6SP The Extensive walled gardens of a 17thcentury manor house with formal walks and lawns, a rose garden, kitchen garden and a historic orchard. The garden lies at the top of Hampstead’s Holly Hill and is divided into upper and lower levels. On the upper level, to the south of the house, a path runs through an avenue of false acacia trees. To the north are perimeter terrace walks around a formal lawn and sunken rose garden. The planting is relaxed, within a structure of trimmed yew and box

hedges, and gives successive colour and interest through the year. Steps beyond the rose garden lead down to the garden’s most charming feature – a sunken, walled area of orchard, glasshouse, culinary herb border, cut-flower beds and vegetables. In spring the lawn below the orchard is transformed into a flowery meadow. More than 30 varieties of English apple are grown in the orchard. Open: Saturday: 11am–4.30pm, Sunday: 11am–4.30pm Entrance: Hampstead Grove Access: Upper walk, with views over whole garden, accessible to wheelchair users. Large number of steps to lower terraces of garden and orchard Nearest station: Hampstead Buses: 46, 210, 268 Activities: Throughout Sunday only: short guided tours of the gardens by the gardener (no booking required). Display of historical photos of the grounds. A variety of plants from the gardens for sale. Tickets for entry to the house wwww.nationaltrust.org.uk/ fenton-house Gardener-in-charge: Andrew Darragh

OGSWGuide 2014

Area F: Hampstead

F3. Gainsborough Gardens NW3 1BJ In the 18th century Hampstead Wells were popular with fashionable Londoners, who visited the pump room to take the chalybeate waters and socialised in the assembly rooms, south of Well Walk. The area soon developed a reputation for rowdy behaviour and new spa buildings were erected in 1730 further along Well Walk. Eventually the buildings were converted to other uses, including an evangelical chapel, and finally demolished at the end of the 19th century. This area today is the site of Gainsborough Gardens, a circular enclosure with mature trees and luxuriant planting at the centre of a gated enclave of private houses. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Well Walk (north), Heathside (south) Nearest stations: Hampstead, Hampstead Heath Buses: 46, 268 + 24 Gardener: Adrian Crimmin Gainsborough Gardens

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OGSWGuide 2014

Garden listings

F4. The Hill Garden and Pergola NW3 7EX One of London’s secret gardens at the rear of Inverforth House, formerly The Hill, which was Lord Leverhulme’s London residence from 1904 to 1925. The 800ft-long pergola, which is listed grade II, was designed by Thomas Mawson and refurbished by the City of London in 1995. There are fine views of Harrow Church and Hampstead Heath. The Hill Garden and Pergola are open to the public all year round, weather permitting. Open: Saturday: 1–4pm, Sunday: 1–4pm Entrance: Inverforth Close NW3 off North End Way Access: Rough gravel footpaths lead to the gardens. Some sections of the pergola are not wheelchair-accessible Nearest stations: Hampstead (1.25 km), Golders Green (1.5 km) Buses: 210, 268 Car parking: Nearest public car park is at Jack Straw’s Castle (0.5km) Activities: A display of old and modern photographs showing the different stages and development of the garden Conditions: Toilets (inc. disabled) are available in Golders Hill Park (300m)

wwww.cityoflondon.gov.uk Head gardener: Caroline Turner

F5. World Peace Garden Camden NW3 2SB A wasteground area for more than 100 years next to Hampstead Heath station, the site was bought by local traders, residents and visitors, who financed it and volunteered to transform this site into a woodland garden glade. Tony Panayiotou has redesigned the ponds and soft landscape with Michael Wardle focusing on the hard landscaping. Consultants Simon Berry and Andy Darragh remain on board as advisers. Peace tiles from Friends of the Peace Garden greet visitors inside the entrance at the top of timber steps. Either side of the steps are informal seating arrangements for appreciating performances from a stage at the bottom. There are three small ponds and a wishing-well feature with a varied fragrant blossom planting. The garden features climbers, magnolias and interesting pathways. This is a sanctuary, a place to contemplate peace, while children love the sheer adventure of this

woodland glade – despite the contradiction of being next to Hampstead Heath station. Let’s encourage more Community Peace Gardens, please. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Parliament Hill, next to Hampstead Heath station Access: Not easily accessible: steps, narrow paths. It can be viewed from the road through the railings Nearest stations: Hampstead Heath (no service Sunday 15 June), Belsize Park or Hampstead Buses: 24, 46, 168, C11 Activities: Children: tie a tag to Tree of Hope: ‘What they want the world to be like when they grow up.’ Wishing-well: send your positive feelings to wish someone well with your coin to the charity 15 Second Peace. Record on video your own peaceful experience for our website. Music, song, poetry, storytelling, talks, art classes (subject to weather conditions). Please check website nearer the time wwww.worldpeacegardencamden.org Consultant/gardener/landscape 2013: Andy Darragh/T.Panayiouto/S.Berry

The Hill Garden and Pergola OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Inner London

St Pancras + Islington I

Legible London

CALEDONIAN ROAD

Pi HM Prison Pentonville

OGSWGuide 2014

Business Design Centre

G15

City of London Academy Islington

BARNSBU

X SE

ISLINGT TO N ET

RY ROA D

N.B There is no service from Essex Road station at the weekend

LIVERPOOL ROAD

G3 B Barnard P Park

T MARKE HAPEL

DO MAYOR OF LONDON

St. Stephen’s r Church and Centre

Essex Road

R I C H M O N D AV E N U E

OA D Islington Town Hall

St. Mary g Islington

Kings Place

BA B A R N S B U RY R

S OD

Canonbury Academy

G7 S

Y O R K WAY

n t’

Granary Square

STREE

OAD NIAN R

COPENHAGEN ST

OAD OL R

CALEDO

G16

University of the Arts London

RPO

Cally Pool

CANONBU G13

UPPER

O OFF

LIVE

WAY

Caledonian Road C & Barnsbury

Highbury & Islington

Islington s Tennis Centre T

KING’S G1 C RO S S St. Pancras Hospital

GROVE

S T. P A U L’

YORK

AGAR

Canonbury r

a Caledonian Park MA

r Highbury Fields

g Re

RS HU PA AD RO

GROVE

H I G H B U RY Y

G14

LIV

Caledonian Road

E CK

LOW OW E R O HOLL LO LOW WA W AY A Y

London Metropolitan University

HIGHBURY

PA R K

Holloway Road

N.B There is no service from Drayton Park station at the weekend

Drayton Park

London Metropo o olittan Metropolitan University

Islington College

M CA H IL LM

RO N City &

HM Prison Holloway G11

Arsenal FC

AUBERT

TON

HOLL LOWAY LO WAY AY Y

ROA

D R AY

SEY

Highburyy Stadium SquareG10

N TO

Nags Head Shopping Centre

H I G H B U R Y N E W PA R K

ROAD

K L L PA R

Arsenal

Sobell e Centre Leisure

15 mins

PA R

TUFNE

10 mins

5 mins

HIGHBURY

walking scale 0

ANGEL D

t ’s

Garden listings

Squares & Gardens Key GRE EN LANES

Stoke Newington Police Station

B Butterfield G Green

ALBION

EE LA NE

M AT T H I A S R O A D

Newington Green AD

WA L

Dalston Kingsland

LACE

INGTON

ROA

GRE

YN OS

G12

BALLS POND RO AD

LL IF O RD

St. Peter De Beauvoir Town

ST RE

H G AT

Barnsbury Square

Barnsbury Wood

Caledonian Park and Community Orchard A2

Camley Street Natural Park

Culpeper Community Garden

Freightliners Farm

G10

Highbury Stadium Square

G11

HM Prison Holloway

G12

King Henry's Walk Garden

G13

Melissa Garden Bee Sanctuary

G14

The Olden Garden

G15

St James Close

G16

The Skip Garden, Global Generation

SOUT

Open Saturday only

Key

Overground station PENN ST

RD XT O N ST

Barnard Park

Underground station

Special Conditions apply

Britannia a Shoreditch Leisure Centre t Park

Open Sunday only

Rose Lipman Communityy Centre

Arlington Square

Please check individual listings for opening times

N U T TA

LL ST

HOX XT TO TO N E

KINGSLAND ROAD

W RI

Alara Permaculture Forest Garden

Open Saturday & Sunday

Haggerston

DOWNHAM RO AD

IELD RO AD

KINGSLAND ROA D

H G AT SOUT

ENGLEF

E RO AD

Open Days

Regent’s Ca nal

G2 l

Dalston Junction

DE BEA AU UV VO I R TO TO OW WN Rosemary Gardens

E RO AD

AD RO

X SE ES H

KINGSLAND HIGH S TREET

LE CR

S ROAD

U RY

STOKE NEWINGTON ROAD

ROAD

S TO K E N E W I N G TO T N

PETHERTON ROAD

PA R K

Clissold Leisure Centre

National rail station

F Hox Hoxton xton Transport for London

OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Inner London

St Pancras + Islington

G1. Alara Permaculture Forest Garden N1C 4PF These garden spaces on Camley Street have been formed from the unused land around commercial buildings on an industrial estate close to King’s Cross in central London. The first job was the removal of about 50 tons of rubbish, plus four months spent digging out Japanese knotweed. The largest area was enclosed and terraced using coppiced sweetchestnut logs. Planting as a permaculture forest garden began in 2006 with silverberry, pomegranate, Japanese wineberry, apricot, apple, pear, plum, edible hawthorn and many other perennial food plants. There are beehives, a wormery and a rainwater-fed fishpond. To this has been added a vineyard next to a lorry park, an orchard by a cash & carry car park, community raised beds and a communal compost heap. In 2014 we plan to re-site the beehives, introduce chickens and build an anaerobic digester. There have been a huge number of people involved in this garden, who have turned up to help on the many planting and party days that have been held here. Day to day, the gardens are maintained by the team at Alara. In 2013 we harvested almost 750kg of fresh foods from these gardens and plan for more every year as the gardens mature.

Arlington Square

OGSWGuide 2014

Open: Saturday: 10am–4pm, Sunday: 10am–4pm Entrance: Camley Street – between Booker Cash & Carry and Alara Access: Vineyard, orchard and raised beds suitable for wheelchairs. Permaculture garden has steps and very narrow paths Nearest stations: Camden Road, Camden Town, King’s Cross, St Pancras, Buses: 46, 214 Activities: Plants for sale, including goji berry bushes walara.co.uk Gardener: Alex Smith Cg

G2. Arlington Square N1 7DR The Victorian terraces that surround Arlington Square, in a quiet conservation area of Islington, were completed around 1850. But the large, open rectangle in the middle only became a garden square in the early 1950s, when it was laid out by Islington council. Before that, it had simply been an unkempt open space, used during WW2 for trench shelters and barrage balloon moorings. The square today has large mature trees, shrubs, lawns, roses and other flowerbeds. A newly revitalised residents’ association holds regular gardening sessions. Over the last three years volunteers have

transformed the beds by digging in over 20 tonnes of compost and manure and planting more than 30,000 bulbs, plants and shrubs, as well as magnolias, acers, palms, rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, 150 rose bushes and a handkerchief tree. In 2012, with help from a Big Lottery Groundworks grant, locals transformed a neglected dump in the corner of the square into a popular small community garden with raised vegetable, herb, fruit and flowerbeds. Arlington Square’s large and peaceful space is now much loved and appreciated by Islington residents. The ongoing restoration of the square by residents from the surrounding streets is a stirring example of how communal gardening can bring neighbours together and forge friendships. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 2–5pm Access: Level access. However, the gate opposite 10 Arlington Square has a step Nearest stations: Angel, Old Street Buses: 21, 76, 141, 271 (New North Road), 38, 56, 73, 341, 476 (Essex Road) Activities: Leaflets, guided tours, recipe ideas for herbs and veg, homemade refreshments and Arlington Square produce wwww.arlingtonassociation.org.uk Lead community gardener: Paul Thompson-McArthur

G3. Barnard Park N1 0JW A 10-acre public park with a rich history, from the beginnings of cricket with Thomas Lord in the 18th century to WW2 bomb damage. Wartime devastation was followed by prefab housing before the park was created in the 1960s. This is an area of dense housing with very little open space. Recently much has been transformed by the local park Friends group, including the creation of three new gardens with hundreds of plants and bulbs. There’s a herbaceous area in an old shrub bed and a herb garden in the children’s play area, partially maintained by a local primary school, both created in April 2010. From autumn 2012, ongoing improvements have been made to the long, dry, shady border along Barnsbury Road. Last year Friends volunteers contributed the equivalent of roughly 13 hours a week on gardening and maintenance projects. The park has large grassy areas for sunbathing and picnicking and a large games pitch. Open: Sunday: 11am–4pm Entrance: Charlotte Street off Copenhagen Street and four others

Garden listings Access: Main paths are tarmac, some sloping. Much of the grass is sloping and can be muddy. Two separate steps into the photo display area Nearest stations: Angel, King’s Cross Buses: 153, 274 (Copenhagen St), 17,91, 259 (Caledonian Rd) many more at Angel Activities: The last of four community ‘pop-up’ Sundays on June 15 will focus on the history of the park area. Display of early photos from the Islington Museum and local residents. Talks from 2pm. Selfguided tours of the garden with plant lists available. Refreshments, including tea/coffee and ice cream wwww.barnardpark.org

G4. Barnsbury Square N1 1JL A peaceful square framed by trees in the heart of residential Islington. Features include a rose bed (installed according to the wishes of local people) and flowerbeds. A woodland planting scheme is at the heart of the square. The hut in the square is open regularly on Tuesday afternoons and Saturday mornings for visitors and residents to meet and enjoy tea and coffee. There are opportunities to help with gardening too, which helps bring people of all ages together and make for a greener square. Open: Saturday: 1–3pm Entrance: Thornhill Road Nearest stations: Caledonian Road & Barnsbury, Highbury & Islington Buses: 153, 17, 91, 4, 19, 30 Activities: Park keeper’s hut open. Refreshments available wfriendsofbarnsburysqgardens.com

G5. Barnsbury Wood N1 1BW Barnsbury Wood is London’s smallest Local Nature Reserve. This delightful hidden woodland was originally the garden of a house built in the 1840s. It eventually became abandoned to nature and is now home to a wealth of wildlife.The wood is owned and managed by Islington Council. Due to its small and vulnerable nature, it is only open to the public on Tuesday afternoons (and on Saturday afternoons in summer). However, at other times the site is used by school groups for environmental education sessions. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Crescent Street, off Huntingdon Street Access: Rough, unsurfaced and narrow paths around the wood. Can be muddy after heavy rain. However there are no

Caledonian Park and Community Orchard

slopes or steps Nearest stations: Caledonian Road & Barnsbury, Caledonian Road Buses: 17, 91, 153, 259, 274 Activities: Stroll round the woodland and enjoy the hidden nature of this special site wwww.islington.gov.uk

G6. Caledonian Park and Community Orchard N7 9PL Caledonian Park and Community Orchard is located on the site of the 19th-century Metropolitan Cattle Market and retains at its heart the market’s imposing listed Victorian clocktower and railings. The architect responsible for the market, the clocktower and four public houses at each corner of the market – three of which remain today – was James Bunstone Bunning, who worked mainly in Italianate style. The clocktower was constructed on the site of a demolished 17th-century manor house, Copenhagen House, in an extensive area of open fields, known as Copenhagen Fields. A notable event there was the huge demonstration in April 1834 to support the Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of agricultural labourers deported to Australia for attempting to form a union. The Metropolitan Cattle Market was opened by Prince Albert in 1855 and operated as a market until its slaughterhouses closed in 1963. The associated Cally ‘flea’ market closed in 1939. Islington Council bought the market site and in 1970 created Caledonian Park on 18 acres. Extensive tree and shrub planting gives the park its

tranquillity and provides habitats for many nesting and visiting birds. The park is a borough grade 1 nature conservation area, mainly for its woodlands, and offers contoured woodland walks. It is currently undergoing improvements: ‘natural play’ area opened in 2010 and new section of the park with formal garden spaces and extensive tree, shrub and herbaceous planting was opened in August 2013. In 2010 the Caledonian Park Friends Group planted a small community orchard of apple, plum and pear trees, both modern and heritage varieties, to add to the biodiversity. The group is responsible for the watering, pruning and general maintenance of the trees. In spring 2013, the group will take over one of the new garden spaces in the park and develop it as a nature garden, introducing plants and other features attractive to bees, butterflies and birds. Open: Sunday: 11am–5pm Entrance: Market Road and via Drovers Way and Shearling Way off North Road. Access: Market Road, Drovers Way and Shearling Way entrances and others from North Road and most of park are wheelchair accessible. The Orchard/long grass areas and woodchip woodland walks are not Nearest station: Caledonian Road Buses: 274, 390, 393 + buses along Caledonian Road Activities: Orchard tour, woodland walks, children’s natural play area, newly planted garden areas and wildlife garden under development. Refreshments Conditions: Dogs allowed off leads wwww.caledonian-park.co.uk Cg

OGSWGuide 2014

Area G: St Pancras + Islington

G7. Camley Street Natural Park N1C 4PW Camley Street Natural Park is a local nature reserve on the banks of the Regent’s Canal in the heart of London’s King’s Cross area. Created from derelict land and opened in 1985, the two-acre site has since become internationally acclaimed. The park offers a landscape inspired by nature: a mosaic of meadow, marsh woodland and open-water habitat. These habitats are intensively managed to maintain their diverse wildlife value and include many species of birds, bees, butterflies and amphibians, and a rich variety of plants. We also have projects to inspire sustainable lifestyles, such as our newly created Floating Forest Garden on the canal and an anaerobic digester creating renewable energy. The park is next to the Regent’s Canal, where we are improving the natural environment and community awareness through the Wildlife on your Waterways project. The park, which is managed by the London Wildlife Trust, provides the local community with a valuable resource: visitor centre, open-access green space, environmental education for schools and lifelong learning, a varied events programme and opportunities for volunteers to help manage the park. It won a Green Flag award in 2010 and 2011. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Off Camley Street Nearest station: Kings Cross and St Pancras

Buses: 45, 46, 63, 214 Activities: Special weekend programme for OGSW, see our website. For email updates about our events contact camleyst@wildlondon.org.uk Conditions: No alcohol or smoking wwww.wildlondon.org.uk

Buses: 4, 19, 38, 43, 56, 73, 205, 214, 274, 394, 476 Activities: Garden tours. Children’s trails and activities. Plant sales. Homemade refreshments wwww.culpeper.org.uk Garden worker: Martha Orbach

G8. Culpeper Community Garden N1 0EJ

G9. Freightliners Farm N7 8PF

Named after the herbalist Nicholas Culpeper, this green oasis is a unique project with small plots for local people and community groups to tend. It has a communal lawn, ponds, a rose pergola, wildlife area and a dry garden, inspired by Beth Chatto, as part of Islington’s climate-change adaptation strategy. The garden contains a vast array of shrubs and herbaceous perennials. This year we are working on pruning overgrown shrubs, replanting our communal flowerbeds and restoring the paths.Open daily to the public, the project encourages the involvement of many disadvantaged groups, as well as children and young people. In 2012 the garden won a Green Flag Community Award and a Gold Award for Best Community Garden: Islington in Bloom. Open: Sunday: 10am–4pm Entrance: South end of Cloudesley Road or through park from Tolpuddle Street Access: Level access via Culpeper Open Space Nearest station: Angel

Freightliners Farm

OGSWGuide 2014

Freightliners City Farm was established on its present site in 1978 with the aim of bringing a little bit of the countryside to the inner city. The farm is set within Paradise Park, a small area of green space cleared of Victorian housing in the 1960s. The farm gardens can broadly be categorised as ornamental, wildlifefriendly and productive food-growing. Our paddocks, hedgerows and wild corners reflect sustainable management practices on rural farms, with hedgerow improvements such as planting for biodiversity and traditional laying, meadow flowers and field edges. We focus our produce gardens on growing to provide really local food for the farm café and local people. We aim to make a clear connection for visitors between growing, processing and eating food and to enable people to successfully grow their own. This year our ornamental gardens also have a food-growing theme, being planted as a potager garden with decorative herbs and vegetables used as bedding amongst the flowers.As well as the gardens, you can meet the

Garden listings

Highbury Stadium Square

traditional and rare-breed farm animals who help to maintain the grassed areas of the farm, teach visitors more about where their food comes from and always enjoy making new friends. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Chalfont Road (not shown on all maps), off Sheringham Road Access: Bark paths around vegetable garden. Some steps and bark paths around hedgerow walk. Crazy-paved area in ornamental garden is slightly uneven Nearest stations: Highbury & Islington, Caledonian Road, Holloway Road Buses: 43, 153, 271, 393 Activities: Staff on hand to discuss planting schemes and give advice where they can. Meet the farm honey bees and find out about our wildlife and pollinator friendly planting. Plant sale, including grow-your-own veg plants and pollinator-friendly planting scheme sets. Vegetarian café serving special gardenproduce menu, including salads, sandwiches, mains and cakes. All homemade. Tea, coffee and soft drinks wwww.freightlinersfarm.org.uk Gardener: Peter Hall

G10. Highbury Stadium Square N5 1FE Special Conditions apply Highbury Stadium Square, known locally as Highbury Square, is a new garden at the centre of the former Arsenal football stadium, which was based in Avenell Road from 1913 until 2006. The stadium was designed by Archibald Leitch and built in the Art Deco style. The football pitch is now a minimalist, modern garden, comprising hedges and grassy spaces, intersected by Perspex walls with integrated lighting and water features. This large garden now comprises the inner courtyard of the apartment blocks formed from the Arsenal stadium building. The garden is not normally open to the public and will open for the first time for OGSW 2014. Entrance: Avenell Road Nearest station: Arsenal Buses: 4, 19, 236 Activities: Guided tour comprising 15 minutes in the viewing room and 30 minutes touring the garden. There will be a short leaflet outlining the history of Highbury Stadium Square and light refreshments (teas and coffees) Conditions: You can only visit this garden on a pre-booked tour. There will be nine tours over the Weekend, with 12

places on each 45-minute tour. Visitors will be chosen from ticket-holders by ballot. You will not be able to change tour times or days once allocated. When purchasing your ticket on line, you will be asked if you wish to enter the ballot for a tour of this garden. Tickets will be drawn at the end of May Gardener: Mark Walker

G11. HM Prison Holloway N7 0NU Special Conditions apply A unique chance to see an inner-city prison garden, planted and maintained by prisoners. The prison grounds are large, with a variety of open green spaces. The central garden boasts seasonal flowerbeds, a new perennial flowerbed and standard roses, set in grass and surrounded by low clipped hedges. Planting against the perimeter walls is restricted for security reasons, but other garden areas contain mature trees, which play host to a wide variety of birds. We are piloting a new project with the British Hen Welfare Trust and we have adopted ex-battery hens for the prisoners to look after and gain experience in small-animal care, which it is hoped will lead to a qualification in the OGSWGuide 2014

Area G: St Pancras + Islington

The Olden Garden

future.You will be invited to sit in the main area and enjoy the garden.Please do not be put off by the rules and regulations – we would love to see you on the day! Entrance: Parkhurst Road Nearest station: Caledonian Road Buses: 17, 29, 91, 253, 259 Activities: Pre-booked tours at 9.30am (Saturday) and 9.30am (Sunday). Advance booking essential) Conditions: The garden can be visited only on an escorted tour lasting up to two hours. Advance booking essential. Tours of this garden are now fully booked. You must have your ticket with you on the day. One prison tour per ticket holder. Visitors must be over 21 and provide two forms of identification, one with a photo and one with a current address. No recording equipment or backpacks. Mobile phones and small cameras can be left at reception. Visitors will be subject to search procedures

G12. King Henry’s Walk Garden N1 4NX This once-derelict site has been transformed by volunteers into a beautiful organic garden, where local residents can grow their own vegetables, fruit and flowers, join in the year-round programme of workshops and events, or simply relax in a peaceful environment. The garden has a large raised bed along the south-facing wall, planted with espalier and fan-trained fruit trees and split into small plots for allocation to local people. Visitors can enjoy the beautifully planted flower borders around the lawn (the garden is open to the public twice a week) or observe water wildlife at close hand from the low bridge across the pond. The garden was

OGSWGuide 2014

designed for accessibility and a number of large metal planters are particularly suitable for people in wheelchairs or who have difficulty bending down.The site also includes a small area of woodland, most unusual in this part of Islington, managed as an area of wildlife habitat. All planting has been planned to encourage biodiversity and attract beneficial insects. The garden is run on sustainable principles. All garden waste is composted and reused on site. The raised beds and brick paths were built using recycled materials. A custom-built system collects rainwater and distributes it to butts around the garden. Awarded an RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood Champion of Champions Achievement Certificate in 2013 and a National Certificate of Distinction in 2012, the garden was voted Best Community Garden in London in Bloom 2011, 2010 and 2008. In addition to receiving awards for community participation and wildlife friendliness, it has been commended by Britain in Bloom judges as ‘a centre of learning excellence’. Open: Saturday: 12–4pm, Sunday: 12–4pm Entrance: 11C King Henry’s Walk (to the left of the adventure playground) Nearest stations: Canonbury, Dalston Kingsland, Dalston Junction Buses: 21, 30, 38, 56, 141, 277 Activities: Homemade refreshments. Plant sale. Traditional summer fête on the afternoon of Saturday 14 June wwww.khwgarden.org.uk

G13. Melissa Garden Bee Sanctuary N1 2UN This very small garden is adjacent to the Union Chapel, which was first built in 1809. The space was unused for many years and hidden away from the public.

Its enclosed and unique feel is due to the Victorian Gothic church tower, a landmark in the local area, which overshadows the garden. Just two minutes away from Highbury & Islington Tube station, off busy Upper Street, this is a bee sanctuary, with two beehives installed in 2012. Not surprisingly, due to its high percentage of greenery, Islington is a favourite location for bees. The bee sanctuary was established to create a space for bees, not in order to harvest the honey, but to give them a protected home following natural beekeeping principles. The Melissa Garden Bee Sanctuary (Melissa being the ancient Greek word for ‘bee’) was established by a local educational charity, New Acropolis Cultural Association, built and maintained by volunteers. It has been planted with mostly native plants, including some bee-friendly ones. It is open to members of the association and neighbours, but has so far remained unknown to the rest of Islington. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: 19 Compton Terrace, via side gate Access: While most of the access is level, there is a step leading down into the garden, which we will bridge with a ramp. However, the entrance door is not very wide (82cm), so may be difficult for wheelchair users Nearest station: Highbury & Islington Buses: 4, 19, 30, 43, 271 Activities: Guides on hand (and literature available) to provide information about bees, their behaviour and the threats to their survival, and also about ‘bee-friendly’ plants – interesting for adults and children alike. Opportunity to learn about and visit Compton Terrace Gardens in front of Union Chapel, where volunteers regularly help with planting and maintenance (some as part of the ‘Edible Islington’ project). Refreshments wwww.newacropolisuk.org Garden maintenance manager: Miha Kosir

G14. The Olden Garden N5 1NH The Olden Community Garden is a community-based garden project less than five minutes’ walk from the Emirates Stadium. It is a haven for wildlife, an oasis of quiet amongst the hustle and bustle of Islington and a great source of pride to us in Highbury. The garden, which is run by a group of hard-working volunteers, covers over

Garden listings two acres of open space off Whistler Street and Drayton Park, on a former railway embankment. There is a formal community garden which is fully accessible, a woodland, a greenhouse, an orchard of apple and plum trees, a wildflower meadow, allotments and growing spaces, and a small building called the Garden House. All the fundraising is done by volunteers, centred on regular garden work days and social events. Children from the nearby Drayton Park Primary School have started their own vegetable garden within the site and benefit from the outdoor activity, as do students from City & Islington College’s Learning Difficulties Department, who have set up a food-growing project with the garden. Open: Saturday: 2–5pm Entrance: Whistler Street, opposite no. 22 Access: The garden is on a former railway embankment. The formal garden has disabled access, as do the toilets and garden house. The rest of garden is only accessible by steps with uneven surfaces Nearest stations: Arsenal, Highbury & Islington

Buses: 17, 43, 153, 271, 393 + 4, 19 Activities: Tea, coffee and cake stall Cg

G15. St James Close N1 8PH Private communal garden surrounded on three sides by a church and Victorian almshouses. The property belongs to the Church of England and most of the residents have some connection with the church. The garden consists of a small lawned area and beds of herbaceous perennials and shrubs. It is a secluded haven of calm in a busy, densely populated area and much appreciated by the residents. Open: Saturday: 2–5pm, Sunday: 2–5pm Entrance: Bishop Street, behind St James’ Church Access: Two steps up from street Nearest station: Angel Buses: 38, 56, 73,271, 341, 476 Car parking: Difficult, even at weekends Gardener: Maggie Ford

G16. The Skip Garden, Global Generation N1C 4UZ The Skip Garden is a mobile allotment on the King’s Cross development site, built by

a combination of many local partners as an example of organic urban agriculture. The functions of an organic garden are separated into separate skips – including a growing house and green engine! The garden serves as an educational platform where local children, young people and business employees work together on tangible projects to improve local sustainability. This is a Capital Growth growing space and an exciting example of organic urban agriculture on one of the largest development sites in Europe. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Right-hand (east) side of Beaconsfield Street. From King’s Cross, go up York Way and turn left opposite Copenhagen Street into Handyside Street then right into Beaconsfield Street Nearest station: King’s Cross/ St. Pancras Buses: 46, 214 Activities: Regular tours of the garden. The Skip Garden Cafe will be open serving delicious homemade food and drinks wwww.globalgeneration.org.uk Gardens Manager: Paul Richens Cg

These delicious wines, a white Chenin Blanc and red Shiraz, are sourced from South Africa which is home to The Garden Route. This unique 125 mile stretch of coastline around the Western Cape boasts a diverse and spectacular array of flora and fauna; a gardener’s paradise. Stockist: Tesco @OffPisteWines www.facebook.com/OffPisteWines OGSWGuide 2014

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Hackney + Bethnal Green

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OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Inner London

Hackney + Bethnal Green

Arnold Circus

H1. Arnold Circus E2 7JF A unique garden and heritage asset at the heart of the 1890s Boundary Street Estate in East London. Originally designed to form the centrepiece of Britain’ first publicly funded social housing scheme, it was intended to improve public health, promote exercise and be a ‘stage’ for the local community. Its form and tiered ‘wedding cake’ arrangement inspired the layout of the surrounding estate. In latter years, the garden fell into decline and was rescued by the local community, led by the Friends of Arnold Circus. In 2010, the gardens underwent a major regeneration, led by LDA Design, which balanced restoration, sustainability, improvements and design. Months of careful research were followed by meticulous workmanship to restore the historic elements and add new ones. A vibrant new planting scheme created colour, seasonal interest and improved biodiversity. The focal point, the ‘at risk’ bandstand, was restored with handmade roofing tiles matching the originals. Modifications were made to historic railings, incorporating new seating. A rainwater-harvesting system with underground storage has reduced mains usage and provides recycled water for planting, improving sustainability and reducing maintenance costs. The gardens have been restored to their original

OGSWGuide 2014

beauty, highlighting the principles of sympathetically revitalising buildings ‘at risk’ and registered landscapes, to make them sustainable, accessible and attractive. Local people are delighted with their renewed cultural and muchloved space, used for a diverse range of events. The Friends have a partnership agreement with the council to maintain the space, showing how communities can influence local improvements. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Access: Access by steps only Nearest stations: Shoreditch High Street, Old Street, Liverpool Street + bus Buses: 8, 26, 47, 48, 55, 67, 149, 242, 243, 388 Activities: Friends of Arnold Circus present for background information and to answer visitors’ questions whttp://foac.org.uk and www.lda-design.co.uk Gardener: Andy Willoughby

H2. Cordwainers Garden E8 3RE Cordwainers (named because it’s on the site of a former shoe-making college) is a small community garden in the middle of urban Hackney, tucked behind a wall in the lee of a large college building. The garden was created by a group of

neighbours who transformed a neglected area into a thriving growing space for local people as well as visiting gardening groups and volunteers. We’ve built raised beds for growing fruit and vegetables and created mixed borders for wildlifefriendly plants. We’ve also planted fruit bushes, hedging and trees. An important ethos of the garden is to grow plants not just for eating or decoration, but to enjoy and promote their many other uses. We have a small medicinal plant bed and are in the fourth year of growing dye plants. We hold regular dye workshops using flowers, leaves, ‘weeds’ and barks gathered from the garden. This year we and the college are growing flax as part of a London-wide project to grow a garment entirely within the bounds of the M25. Some of the garden has been left as a wild space, where we have built a pond inhabited by many frogs. We also have a beehive. All the beds are built from reclaimed materials – mostly scaffolding planks – and we have turned polycarbonate sheeting into cold frames. For the last year we’ve been building a recycled shed, made mainly from pallets and found materials and decorated with woven willow. The garden is run and maintained wholly by volunteers. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm Entrance: 182 Mare St (London College of Fashion) Access: Mostly flat grass and space between beds wide enough for wheelchairs.Pond area not accessible. Small step from entrance to the grass Nearest station: London Fields or Hackney Central Buses: 26, 30, 38, 48, 55, 106, 236, 254, 276, 277 Activities: Small exhibition showing the development of the garden.Natural dye workshop (booking essential). Plants, cakes, seed bombs, silk scarves dyed with colours from the garden and other products made from plants grown at Cordwainers for sale wwww.cordwainersgarden.org Cg

H3. Cranbrook Community Food Garden E2 0QU Cranbrook Community Food Garden was created in 2009 by residents of the estate. It consists of 21 raised beds, a shed, greenhouse, composting facilities and a large patio area with seating, where the gardeners get together to socialise, organise fundraising events (so that the garden can remain free) and make plans. Last year’s project was to erect a pergola with a ‘living roof’ to

Garden listings attract bees and other pollinating insects to the garden, and to offer shelter over the gardeners’ seating area. This task was very successfully completed in November 2013, designed and built entirely by garden members and local residents. A garden club is held every Thursday evening and Saturday morning so that people can meet, socialise and work together, but members can access the garden at any time. The Cranbrook Estate, built in 1961-8, was designed by Skinner, Bailey & Lubetkin. The novel layout achieves its effect by playing with scale and perspective. The estate is also the site of Elisabeth Frink’s sculpture The Blind Beggar and his Dog. Open: Saturday: 11am–3pm, Sunday: 11am–3pm Entrance: The Avenue, Cranbrook Estate Roman Road – opposite Usk Street Access: Wheelchair access to most of the garden, although ground uneven Nearest station: Bethnal Green Buses: 8, D6 Activities: Plants and seeds for sale. Refreshments, fresh produce and preserves available wwww.towerhamletshomes.org.uk/ growing_communities/cranbrook,_mace_ street.aspx Head gardener: Laura Buckley Cg

H4. Dalston Eastern Curve Garden E8 3DF Created in spring 2010 to provide muchneeded public green space in an area with little or none. Just off busy Dalston Lane, this secret garden is hidden behind a hoarding next to the Hackney Peace Carnival mural. Visitors enter through a wooden doorway into a peaceful haven. The garden was built on the site of a disused railway line that had been derelict for over 50 years. It was developed as part of Making Space in Dalston, a Design for London-funded project to improve public space in the area. It won a Hackney Design Award in 2010 and Making Space for Dalston won the Landscape Institute’s President’s Award at the end of 2011. A large wooden pavilion is a focal point for community events and regularly houses music, dance, cooking and gardening activities, as well as being a relaxing meeting place. Most of the garden furniture has been constructed on site from reclaimed wood and recycled pallets from the nearby Ridley Road Market. Structural planting includes silver birch and alder, small ‘copses’ of hazel and wild cherry, and a native hedgerow. Fruit, vegetables and herbs, chosen for their ornamental value as well as taste, are grown in large raised

beds and are used in the garden’s onsite café. The garden is tended by volunteers, including children and young people. No chemicals are used, all garden material is composted on site and we collect rainwaterin recycled whiskey barrels. Other projects include a greenhouse for garden and environmental education (the Pineapple House), a community-built clay oven for cooking with garden produce, beefriendly planting and wildflower-meadow planting as part of the ‘East London River of Flowers’. Open: Saturday: 11am–6pm, Sunday: 11am–6pm Entrance: 13 Dalston Lane, next to the Hackney Peace mural Access: Some bark paths and grass – can be difficult for wheelchairs Nearest stations: Dalston Junction, Dalston Kingsland Buses: 30, 38, 56, 67, 76, 149, 242, 243, 277 Activities: Volunteer gardeners available on Saturday and Sunday 2-6pm to answer questions. Café selling refreshments using produce grown in the garden. Plants for sale wwww.dalstongarden.org Cg

Dalston Eastern Curve Garden OGSWGuide 2014

Area H: Hackney + Bethnal Green restored to its former glory by local residents. The square has retained its original Victorian layout of paths winding round island beds and lawns, as well as many original lime trees around the perimeter.Bruno Court, on the northwest corner of Fassett Square, is a grade II-listed former hospital building influenced by the Bauhaus school of architecture. It was converted into flats in 1999 and has a roof terrace with a panoramic view of London. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: North end of square Access: Shallow gravel path throughout the garden. Steps at entrance to Bruno Court Nearest stations: Hackney Downs, Dalston Kingsland, Dalston Junction Buses: 38, 242, 277+ 30, 56, 236 Activities: Refreshments and bookstall Gardener: Nancy Raeburn

H7. Geffrye Museum Gardens E2 8EA

Geffrye Museum Gardens

H5. FARM:shop E8 3AZ FARM:shop is a project by the design practice Something & Son, who consist of an artist, engineer and sociologist. Using some of the latest technologies alongside the oldest techniques, FARM:shop is an experiment to see how much food can be grown in a condensed urban setting. The world’s first farm in an inner-city shop consists of farmed fish in the front of the shop through an aquaponics system, a café amongst the various growing systems, a propagation/library room, vertical growing walls, a hydroponic fruiting room, a polytunnel filling the backyard that doubles as a cinema and café space, plus chickens providing daily eggs. The project is maintained by a large network of volunteers and project partners. To make the project selfsustainable, we have set up a café as well as meeting facilities and desk space for hire.

OGSWGuide 2014

Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: 20 Dalston Lane Access: Ground floor including back garden: ramps and toilet facilities for wheelchair access. Basement, first and second floors only accessible by stairs Nearest stations: Dalston Junction, Dalston Kingsland Buses: 30, 38, 56, 67, 76, 149, 236, 242, 243, 277 Activities: Project space tours, Sat and Sun: 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Growing techniques on show. Fresh food and drink served amongst the growing systems wwww.farmlondon.weebly.com Designers: Something & Son Cg

H6. Fassett Square E8 1DQ Famed as the inspiration for the stage set for the BBC television series Eastenders, this garden has been lovingly

The Geffrye Museum is set in the former almshouses of the Ironmongers’ Company. When the almshouses were sold to the London County Council in 1911, the existing paths and beds were removed to create an open recreational garden, complete with bandstand. The gardens have now been restored to their 18th-century appearance to strengthen the historical context of the setting. In 1992 a derelict site adjacent to the museum was transformed into an award-winning herb garden with over 170 different herbs and plants traditionally associated with herb gardens, such as roses, honeysuckle and lilies. In 1998 the gardens behind the almshouses were laid out as a series of period garden ‘rooms’ to show the changing nature of English town gardens over the last 400 years. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 12– 5pm Entrance: Main gates on Kingsland Road Access: Ramped access to museum and gardens. Accessible toilets. Audio guide Nearest stations: Hoxton (behind museum), Old Street (1.25km), Liverpool Street (1.5km) Buses: 67, 149, 242, 243, 394 Car parking: Three hours accessible parking 10am–4pm on Kingsland Road for disabled badge holders Activities: Sunday: family activities. Restaurant overlooking the period gardens wwww.geffrye-museum.org.uk Head gardener: Heather Stevens

Garden listings

H8. Gloucester Square Residents’ Gardens E2 8RS This award-winning community garden is located within a peaceful tree-lined residential square situated between Haggerston Park and Regent’s Canal, built by the architect John Nash between 1812 and 1820 to link the Grand Junction Canal’s Paddington Arm to the Thames at Limehouse. In the late 19th century, Gloucester Square was the site of workers’ cottages serving the nearby factories and gasworks. After bombing in WW2, the site became a breaker’s yard. In 1987 the square was redeveloped as affordable housing and today is all privately owned. It is unusual for the locality in its character and style, due to its low housing density. The developers allowed ample space for gardens, but over the years these spaces became neglected until 2009, when residents decided to rejuvenate the flowerbeds and modernise the landscaping. This process is still in progress but there are now four established garden areas within the square, each with different themes and styles. There is a small woodland garden, a central landscaped area used as a recreational space and two flowerbeds themed as English cottage garden-meets-French potager, where plants, herbs and vegetables are seamlessly planted within borders. We emphasise economical gardening, so the majority of the plants have been propagated or rescued from the streets. In 2013 the residents entered the ‘Hackney in Bloom’ gardening competition for the first time and won Gold in the Best Community Project (Non-professional) category. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 11am–5pm Entrance: Cester Street, off Whiston Road Access: Level access but some uneven surfaces Nearest stations: Haggerston, Hoxton Buses: 394, 236 Activities: Hourly barge rides along Regents Canal towards Angel basin. For advance bookings and details, please email hamzahdesai@gmail.com. Refreshments. Plant sale and gardenrelated crafts by artists and designers Conditions: Toilet available in Haggerston Park whttp://gloucestersquare.weebly.com Voluntary head gardener: HamzahAdam Desai

Oaklands School Roof Gardens (see page 50)

H9. The Growing Kitchen N1 7HU A resident-led community garden project on the Wenlock Barn Estate, a deprived and often forgotten area of Hoxton. With a lottery grant of £10,000, a formerly disused site has been transformed into a lovely shared garden growing organic fruit and vegetables. There are now 35 micro allotments, a raised seated herb area, rose wall, communal foraging area with wildlife pond, and covered space with clay oven for monthly meetings, fun events and workshops. Most residents live in flats, so the Growing Kitchen has become a valued oasis of calm in which to garden, socialise and share food and ideas. With a diverse and multicultural membership, it is the garden which unites us. Everyone has an equal say and input, allowing the garden to evolve into a unique environment and source of

pride for residents. Our collective aim is to reduce isolation, encourage healthy eating and invite new membership and involvement. Shaping the garden has empowered us to expand into other disused areas. Most recently we partnered with the London Orchard Project and have established an orchard and wildlife area in the heart of Wenlock Barn. Through tenant engagement, more open access and diverse planting we are looking to challenge the council’s current gardening practices on our estate. Last July we received the London ‘Local Food Hero Award’ and were shortlisted nationally, receiving a ‘highly commended’ that cited our good work on governance. Noted by one resident as a ‘hidden piece of countryside in Hoxton’ all guests will be received with a very warm welcome. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Napier Grove OGSWGuide 2014

Area H: Hackney + Bethnal Green deep shade and full sun. Traditional perennials jostle with half-hardy tropicals in the borders, their colours supported by annual bedding schemes. Features include sculptures by Matt Caines and the ‘Oasis’ water feature in the front courtyard, also a wide variety of hardy geraniums. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Mare Street, north of Victoria Park Road Access: There are some slopes Nearest stations: Bethnal Green tube (1.25 km) , London Fields (0.5 km) Buses: 26, 48, 55, 106, 254, D6 Activities: Cream teas. Fundraising stall wwww.stjh.org.uk Head gardener: Jocelyn Armitage St Josephs Hospice Garden

Access: Main entrance has two steps into garden. Secondary entrance on the other side has wheelchair access. Slight slope with narrow wooden decking leading to communal area Nearest station: Old Street Buses: 21, 76, 141, 271, 394 Activities: Peppermint tea and homemade cakes for sale. Informal guided tours. Seating plus picnic table

H10. Oaklands School Roof Gardens E2 6PR The ‘One Roof, Two Gardens’ initiative features two unique gardens shaped by secondary school students on the roof of their classroom in Bethnal Green, East London. The project places an edible classroom/productive garden next to a traditional Islamic garden that offers a peaceful space for reflection. Each has different aims and is led by a different organisation, but share a commitment to engaging inner-city students in the pleasures and possibilities of gardens and gardening. Oaklands edible classroom, an in-house initiative supported by community volunteers, aims to help students develop their knowledge and skills in food production as well as school garden design. Our Islamic garden, led by the charity Faith Regen, sets out to develop adults’ and young people’s awareness and understanding of Islamic gardening traditions. A unique opportunity to see ‘emerging’ gardens, now 16 months old. The edible classroom, built on permaculture principles using recycled materials, will be proudly displaying its first intake of fruit trees as well as other fruit, vegetables and herbs. The Islamic garden will have its structure

OGSWGuide 2014

and first planting in place, showing the principles and philosophy of Islamic design. The gardens, which cover approximately 200 square metres, are situated on the roof of the school’s new building, designed by Bouygues (UK) and completed in 2012. Views of Lasdun’s Keeling House and the award-winning housing scheme by Karakusevic Carson. Open: Sunday: 12–4pm Entrance: Mansford Street Access: Staircase to garden or lift for those with mobility needs Nearest stations: Bethnal Green, Cambridge Heath Buses: 8, 26, 48, 55, 388, D3 Activities: Homemade cakes, teas, coffee and soft drinks for sale, as well as jams and preserves and plants. First crop of salad leaves, fresh from the garden. Scarecrow competition, roof garden quiz. Giant bubble-maker and other activities organised by Year 7 and 8 pupils. Local artists and craftsmen/women showing art and artefacts Community volunteer gardener: Catherine Tidnam / Brian Gaffney

H11. St Joseph’s Hospice Garden E8 4SA One hundred years of garden tradition have provided the largest and most modern hospice in Europe with an award-winning garden to suit the needs of visitors, patients and staff alike. Intended for both recreation and contemplation, seven distinct garden areas provide plenty of interest for visitors. Completion of major building works has resulted in a completely different shape for the south end of the gardens, providing contrasting areas of

H12. St Mary’s Secret Garden E2 8EL This community garden covers threequarters of an acre. It offers horticultural therapy and training for people with mental-health issues, learning disabilities, physical disabilities and other health problems, so as to enhance everyone’s physical and mental well-being. We provide gardening courses and training for the local community, particularly specialising in food-growing initiatives. We also provide outreach services to other organisations and planting workshops at festivals and events. There are herbaceous borders, a herb and sensory area, vegetables, a woodland with working honey beehives, a small orchard with a forest-food growing area, a small pond, a wildlife meadow and a greenhouse – all maintained by service users, learners and volunteers. Our ‘Wish You Well’ garden, created for and by people with experience of mental distress, is now open for everyone to enjoy. There are many areas of the garden for sitting and relaxing. Or, if you are more active, follow the minibeast trail with your children and watch our honey bees at work. In 2012 we were cited as an example of good practice in food growing and urban agriculture projects research by City & Guilds and we also achieved our Green Flag Community Award. We won Gold for best voluntary garden (professional) in Hackney in Bloom in 2012 and 2013. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 11am–4pm Entrance: Corner of Pearson and Appleby Streets Access: Fully accessible Nearest stations: Hoxton (250m), Old Street (1.25km), Liverpool Street (1.5km)

Garden listings Buses: 26, 48, 55, 67, 149, 242, 243, 394 Activities: Low-cost organic plants for sale, including herbs, annuals, perennials and trees. Seasonal vegetable produce. ‘Pop-up’ cafe with snacks and cakes produced by volunteers, staff and service users. See website for other activities wwww.stmaryssecretgarden.org.uk

H13. St Peter’s Bethnal Green Church Garden E2 7AE Built in 1841, over the last 173 years, the church garden has been a Boys’ Brigade parade ground, school play yard and cholera pit. Today it is a thriving community garden enjoyed by many. The garden is a haven for local wildlife and green-fingered enthusiasts alike and is bounded by London plane trees almost 200 years old. Ten community allotment patches engage local residents and church congregation members in growing fresh vegetables and flowers. A new biodiversity project is assessing conditions beneath the plane trees. Colourful flowerbeds abound as the garden wraps round the historic church. Open: Sunday: 2–5pm Entrance: South side garden entrance

from St Peter’s Close Access: The garden is fully accessible but there are some narrow and uneven paths. The church building is wheelchair accessible from the front via a temporary ramp Nearest stations: Bethnal Green, Hoxton Buses: 8, 26, 48, 55, 388 Activities: Pop-up café running in the garden during the afternoon. Tours of the church and the crypt below, which is normally closed. Opportunity to see the test beds of a biodiversity project run by the local gardening club wwww.stpetersbethnalgreen.org

H14. Zander Court Club House E2 7AY Zander Court Community Garden is a small (50 square metres), L-shaped patio garden attached to a community centre or ‘club house’. The garden, made up of plants that thrive in an urban setting, is very much an outward-facing one, designed and looked after by residents to maximise the pleasure and interest for passers-by. The garden and club house is at the heart of a housing estate, built in the 1970s by Stillman and Eastwick-Field

and noted by Pevsner for its irregular, low-rise and human-scale design. The garden had become neglected when residents decided to make a difference and renovate it and turn it into an attractive and well-maintained space. Zander Court is only a couple of minutes from Elver Gardens, Oaklands School roof garden and St Peter’s Church garden, which are also taking part in OGSW. It is five minutes from Columbia Road flower market and Goldsmiths Row book market, and 15 minutes from Brick Lane, all of which are open on Sunday. Open: Sunday: 12–4pm Entrance: Either from Nelson Gardens or St Peter’s Close. The garden is attached to the single-storey detached brick building in the middle of Zander Court Nearest stations: Hoxton, Bethnal Green, Cambridge Heath Buses: 8, 26, 48, 55 Activities: Tea, coffee and homemade cakes. Plant sale (herbs, vegetables, ornamentals). Giant bubbles for young and old wwww.facebook.com/pages/ZanderCourt-Garden-Club Volunteer gardener: Catherine Tidnam

the Gin Garden A Travellling Gin Experience:

we pop up in unexpected spaces, mixing, serving and talking about gin drinks. We work with local distilleries, complementing the botanicals of their gin with local herbs, fruits and flowers. If you’d like The Gin Garden to visit you drop us a line at info@gingarden.com www.gingarden.com St Mary’s Secret Garden OGSWGuide 2014

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Inner London

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CABLE STREET

St. Katharine Docks

The Shard AS

S Shadwell

GARNE

London Bridge City

Tower of London

T H E H I G H WAY

Custom House

ROTHERHITHE TUNNE L

AX RY

R ST EET . T H

TOW T TO OW E R

ER T HAMES STREET

London Bridge ST

Tower Hill

M17

AD T RO

LOW

EET CABLE STR

Royal Mint Court

REE ON ST

Tower Gateway

The Monument

JUBILEE STREET

SG OP SH

BI S T.

LL ST

Fenchurch Street

Monum ment n Monument

ALDGA AT TE

MANSE

RIES

FENCH

MINO

BANK

H URC

ROAD CANN

SUTTON STREET

Aldgate

Y S T E P N E Y W AY

CHRISTIAN STREET

EDLE

Aldgate e COMMERCIAL East LE

DNE

e Independe t Hospital

STEPNEY

WHITE EC CHAPEL

London Metropolitan University

D R O A The Londo o

AY EY W STREET

T ST

EET N S TR WI

LSO

STEPN

n Royal London Hospital

NEY

Tower 42

e Whitechapel Gallery

RO EL

London q Mosque

30 St. M Mary Axe St. t Botolph i without Royal Exchange L E A D E N H A L L S T Aldgate l CORNHILL Leadenhall Lloyd’s of T London Market EE

REA

AP CH ITE W H East

Petticoat Lane Market

ND E E

SID

Christ Church Spitalfields

Heron Tower Bank of England

MID

DON

IIce Ri R k Rink

MIL

STREET

LD ST

Whitechapel

BRUSHFIE

LAN

Old Spitalfields Market

Sainsbury’ss VA L

BRICK LANE

REE

BUXTON S TREET

m The Old Truman Brewery

Step t Gree

Anchor Retail Park

d The Broadgate Tower

Bethnall Green

Shoreditch High Street

Liverpool Bishopsgate s Broadgate Street b Library

LON

RE ST

AN TS L

HEA

CHESHI

COL

RID

PA U L S T R E ET

THREE

E ST DUNBRIDG

15 mins

CAMB

10 mins

SIDNEY

5 mins

TH ROAD

walking scale 0

Garden listings

Squares & Gardens Key BURD

Queen Mary University of London

OAD ETT R

pney en

BOW CO MM

LAN

TE HO RS

AN E L E

D PA

U L’ S

WAY

SWELL RD

sC LANE

St. Anne’s Church

Bacon’s College C ll

Canary Wharf

RIVER THAMES

Ecological Park AD RO ER

Y Q

YS D

ROAD

Woollen House Communal Garden

St Dunstan's in the East

Open Sunday only

National rail station Bus station Overground station Pier

Surrey Quays Shopping Centre

Hilton Docklands Nelson Dock

HERHITHE

Winterton House Organic Garden

Docklands Light Railway

Heritage e Museum u

ROAD

Underground station

I4 Rotherhithe ER

C1 E3

Key

RIVER THAMES

6SLWDOÀHOGV &LW\ )DUP The Compound, Stave Hill Ecological Park

Please check individual listings for opening times.

Limehouse a Basin

LIMEHOUSE

Open Saturday only

RO BUTCHER

B4 E3

COMMERCIAL ROAD

Limehouse

Garden Barge Square at Downings Rd Moorings Lavender Pond and Nature Park

Open Saturday & Sunday

nt’ MON

The Troxy

Reg e

SAL

Open Days

anal

Hamlets e

D4 D2

M17

ETT

S T.

ney ens

A N RO

Brunel Museum Gardens Cable Street Community Gardens

Mile End Park Leisure Centre & Stadium ONSO BEN J

I1 I2

Mile End Park

on ent

Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

IFF

d Transport for London

OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Docklands

I1. Brunel Museum Gardens SE16 4LF The Brunel Museum, directly above the Thames Tunnel, has engineering sculptures and a secret potager garden designed by Lottie Muir, the ‘Midnight Apothecary’. Herbs ring a giant sundial and lifecycle mural, and with fruits from the garden they appear in special concoctions served till late at the ‘hottest pop-up bar in town’. A staircase below the garden leads into an underground chamber where Isambard Kingdom Brunel nearly lost his life. To the north, a brick-paved square and café overlook the river. Benches shaped like Brunel bridges sit beneath false acacia trees (one held together by huge stainless-steel bolts). To the south, the Thames Tunnel marquee overlooks a sheltered garden stocked with shrubs and trees chosen by Brunel for his château in Watcombe, Devon. A bas-relief sculpture in wood and ceramic shows miners working in the tunnel. Concrete fishes by Liz Leyh ring the shaft. The gardens won a Silver Award in Southwark in Bloom and a silver medal in the Green Tourism Business Scheme. See article ‘Brunel the Gardener’ at www.opensquares.org/docs/Brunel.doc Open: Saturday: 10am–10.30pm, Sunday: 10am–10.30pm Entrance: Railway Avenue Access: Access to underground amphitheatre and roof garden by temporary stairs. Contact us for details Nearest station: Rotherhithe (London Overground) via Canada Water (Jubilee) Buses: 47, 188, 225, 381 Activities: Guided descents of the Grand Entrance Hall on the hour, £6. Last descent: 9pm (bookable on day). Garden

Garden Barge Square

Activities: Tea and cake (proceeds to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution) w www.towerbridgemoorings.co.uk Gardener: Corinne Chater

Inner London

OGSWGuide 2014

tours (free information sheet). £2 discount on cocktais for OGSW ticket holders,5-7pm. Open till 10.30pm on both Saturday and Sunday wwww.brunel-museum.org.uk Cocktail gardener/midnight apothecary: Lottie Muir

I2. Cable Street Community Gardens E1 0EL A well-established community garden situated in the heart of a busy inner-city area. We have over 50 plots, tended individually by members and their families. We also have wildlife areas, several small ponds, a traditional British hedgerow, a sensory garden under development and, most recently, a small greenhouse. We are community-based and run by volunteers. All are welcome to enjoy this peaceful haven in the heart of the city. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Hardinge Street Access: Some narrow paths but main entrance and roadway easily accessible Nearest station: Shadwell Bus: 100 Activities: Guided garden walks. Local history talk/walk, 2pm. Light refreshments. Homemade produce. Craft stalls. Children’s activities

w www.cablestreetcommunitygardens.org

I3. Garden Barge Square at Downings Roads Moorings SE1 2AX Garden Barge Square is situated at Tower Bridge Moorings, Downings Roads, Southwark. These historic moorings date back 200 years or more. Gardens have been created on the decks of many of the barges to form an ‘inside-out’ floating garden square. Open: Saturday: 2–5pm, Sunday: 2–5pm Entrance: Reed’s Wharf, 33 Mill Street Access: We advise everyone to wear low heels and to hold on tight to ropes and railings: access is on the rocky side. You visit the moorings at your own risk Nearest stations: Bermondsey (less than 1km), also London Bridge, Tower Hill Buses: 47, 188, 381, RV1

I4. Lavender Pond and Nature Park SE16 5DZ LLavender Pond Nature Park, created in 1981 and designated a local nature reserve in 2005, is one of the oldest urban nature reserves in the country. Covering 2.5 acres in total, the park’s main feature is the pond. Boardwalks allow access through extensive stands of reed, a colourful marsh area and on to a woodland shelter belt. Created on the site of an old timber pond, the original dock walls and locks remain. Alongside the old pumphouse, which was once used to maintain water levels in the docks, these features add both a contrast to the natural habitats of the park and also a fascinating historical aspect. The park provides a resource for creative ecology and conservation, demonstrating how new habitats can be created for wildlife while allowing local people contact with nature through community involvement, education and training. Lavender Pond is a key demonstration site, recognised as far afield as Japan and Korea as a prime example of good practice in the design of nature parks. It has laid down some ground rules for new urban ecological sites such as the Bow Creek Ecology Park, Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park and the London Wetland Centre at Barnes. Lavender Pond received a Green Flag Community Award in 2012. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Cobbled car park on Lavender Road Access: Reserve fully accessible, although paths and boardwalk require care Nearest station: Canada Water Buses: C10, 381 Car parking: Cobbled car park at entrance wwww.urbanecology.org.uk Wardens: Michael Turner & Mathieu Pendergast

I5. Spitalfields City Farm E1 5AR A community garden and city farm, founded in 1978. It has taken us slightly longer than anticipated to reach the closing stages of the community garden, but it has been an interesting process, fraught with all sorts of obstacles, and has been a real learning experience for our community gardener, Richard Walker.

Garden listings Our famous Coriander Club gardens are still producing the most amazing herbs and vegetables with no sign of this feast of traditional Bengali growing ever coming to an end! Lutfun Hussain (Coriander Club co-ordinator) manages it, year in and year out, with the muchneeded assistance and expertise of the ladies who help out every week. The Club manages our large polytunnels, which are full of Bangladeshi vegetables. The prolific new community garden produced 4,000 meals in two months from July to September 2013. The garden is completely off-grid, managed with rain water and was reclaimed during 2012 and 2013 from 0.16acres of postindustrial wasteland. It is now a thriving organic vegetable garden and the beginnings of a young forest garden. Open: Saturday: 10am–4.30pm, Sunday: 10am–4.30pm Entrance: Buxton Street Access: Farmyard area has uneven surfaces and cobbles due to the age of the area Nearest stations: Whitechapel,Shoreditch High Street, Liverpool Street Bus: D3 Activities: Garden staff and volunteers will be on site all weekend to meet and greet visitors. Checkout our sustainable cafe, or on Sunday our up cycling market. Interact with our farm animals – sheep, donkeys, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks and geese. Visit the polytunnels. Plants for sale along with seasonal veg. Picnic on our grass road and let your ‘inner child’ out by climbing up into our treehouse wwww.spitalfieldscityfarm.org Spitalfields Community Gardeners: Olivia Burt / Lütfün Hussain/ Richard Walker

I6. The Compound, Stave Hill Ecological Park SE16 6AX Set within the main ecology park, the Compound is the site in miniature, with a wildlife ‘city’, beehives, allotment and woodland walk. As access to this area is usually restricted, we have been able to focus primarily on the wildlife, and the Compound has their needs as its focus. We aim to create a space where visitors can find peace, inspiration and ideas to take away. The Compound is also the base for the practical work carried out in the surrounding woodland and meadows, and is a workspace. Here is where gabions, bird boxes and art works are created for the park. The SHED, Stave Hill’s green-roofed railway-sleeper

Winterton House Organic Garden

building, is also within the Compound. Open: Saturday: 10am–4pm, Sunday: 10am–4pm Entrance: Dock Hill Avenue, Timber Pond Road SE16 6AX – behind Bacon’s College Access: Hoggin paths, some slopes Nearest stations: Canada Water, Rotherhithe Buses: 1, 225, 381, 395 Activities: Children’s craft activities. Beekeeper on site (Sunday only). Nature info trails. Quiz trails. Join the Stave Hill Saturday team in a practical activity – creating a wildflower meadow, digging out the marsh or building an insect house w www.urbanecology.org.uk/ stavehill.html

I7. Winterton House Organic Garden E1 2QR This large community-based flowers and vegetable walled garden is maintained by the residents of Winterton House on a voluntary basis. Residents have their own growing spaces, which have been cultivated organically with great success. We have in addition a greenhouse/polytunnel, a largeish alpine/rockery bed, ducks and rare-breed chickens. We now have a wildlife pond and a Mediterranean garden. This is an opportunity to view a secret garden normally not on view to the general public. Since its inception, we have won many awards and recommendations. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Deancross St,just off the Commercial Road Access: Step entrance to allotment area Nearest stations: Shadwell, Whitechapel Buses: 15, 100, 115, 135, 339, D9 Activities: Guided tours with one of our volunteers. Mammoth plant sale at very low prices. Refreshments including

homemade cakes and ethnic food Gardener: Melvyn Smith/Ken Davis Cg

I8. Woollen House Communal Garden E1 3ES This communal garden, just to the south of Sidney Square is a haven of peace and quiet in a busy neighbourhood. There are a number of established flowering plants, from foxgloves and blossoming trees to old-fashioned roses. In 2013, a foodgrowing project was started, made possible by the Can-Do fund. Residents and their children embraced the project, growing vegetables, berries and potatoes in the first year. The herb garden is a complement to the vegetables and the garden is working to increase their total growing capacity this year. Sidney Square will also be open. With the cooperation of households around the square and neighbouring streets, a project to bring richer plant life back to the square has begun. Initially composting the beds and planting spring bulbs, now with the assistance of a small grant, this will include additional trees and plants in the borders. All proceeds raised by Woollen House Communal Garden on the day will be donated to Christian’s Appeal Fund, established to achieve a life-changing operation for this young boy. Open: Sunday: 11am–5pm Entrance: Corner of Clark Street and Sidney Square Access: Woollen House garden – no paths, just grass once inside garden. Sidney Square – paths all around Nearest stations: Whitechapel, Shadwell Buses: 339 + 15, 115, 135 Activities: Tea, coffee and cake Voluntary gardener: Patricia Quinn

OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Inner London

Lambeth Legible London AD

FEN

HA LA

W H

ON R OA BRIXT

OUGH R

TORY

Lambeth Hospital

Brixton Recreation Centre

PULROSS RD

BEDFORD ROAD

G HI

O2 Academy Brixton

T E S

REC

ROA

Clapham North C

TR R S

A CL

DOR

LAN

N OLD TOW

ROAD

LO O

FERNDALE ROAD

Brixton

EN T

RD EL

Lambeth Lamb a eth College Colleg C gge

Effra Road Retail Park RN

N H IL

RO LE

OGSWGuide 2014

BRIX XTO TO N T

MAYOR OF LONDON

ACRE LANE

ROA

A M PA R K R O

J5 Lambeth Town Hall

Lambeth College

XTO

BRI

EFF

CLAPHAM COMMON

Clapham C Common C

K I N G S AV E N U E

LONG ROAD

HBOR

Clapham High Street

LOUG

CLAPHAM TH

RO HA

SART

GROVE

Mostyn y Gardens e

ROAD

W AY

OA L R

Wandsworth Road

ROB

VE GRO

PA R K

BRIXTON ROAD

CL LA

S TO OCKWELL

AD M HA AP CL AD RO

J2 ST

Stockwell

Springfield Medical Centre i

E W AY

D AN

Kenningto

St. Mark’s Church

SDOWN

’S

LAN

Queenstown Road (Battersea)

Oval

NDS WA

TE AT B

AD TH RO

WA N D SSW W WO O RT H ROA RO OA O AD

Battersea Park

South Lambeth Library

New Covent Garden Market

TIM

AMBE SOUTH L

Battersea D Dogs & Cats K R R Home PA

OVA O AL

Vauxhall Park

NINE ELMS

The Oval

15 mins

Battersea Power Station (Disused)

E AN S L LM E 10 mins NE

5 mins

PA R R Y S T

New Covent Garden Market MILE S

TH LAMBE

RTH R OAD

walking scale

SOU

RIVER THA

Garden listings

Squares & Gardens Key

K’

I RR

St. Michael & All Angels C of E Academy d WYND

HAM

R HU

MEDL

AR ST

A RO

DENMAR

CAMBER RW WELL2

Opening Days

Please check individual listings for opening times

Key Underground station Overground station

Kingdom n Hall a

K H ILL

LL RO

Carnegie Library

SU NR

WOOD ROAD

I E H

MILK

Ruskin Park

Loughborough Park

Windrush Square

King’s Hill College Hospital

Trinity Hospice

Denmark

Maudsley ley Hospital tal

Eden at St. Paul’s Community Garden

National rail station

OUGHBOR RO OUGH JUNCTION OU

K HILL

LILFORD RO AD

Loughborough Junction

B AR

Durand Gardens

Open Saturday Only Camberwell ell ll Green Magistrates’ e es’ Court

Camberwelll Leisure Centre tr tre

Lambeth Archives & Minet Library

ROAD

Carnegie Library

Open Saturday & Sunday

N MA AK

Myatt’s Field Park

ROAD

OAD ELL R

Burgess Park

CAMBERW

N KI

T EE

WELL ROAD

on Park

CAMBER

4 UE

PO ST

E H ILL

SSunray un nra n ay ay Park Par P ar

Transport for London

OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Inner London

Lambeth

J1. Carnegie Library SE24 0AG Over the past seven years the Friends of Carnegie Library have renovated the formerly derelict enclosed garden at the rear of a delightful Arts-and-Crafts listed building, in co-operation with Lambeth Council and with funding from the Big Lottery Fund under the BBC Breathing Places scheme and the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association. The space is now a garden devoted to reading and wildlife, much appreciated by library users of all ages. It incorporates mature trees, shrubs and a lawn, a bog garden, accessible raised beds and a children’s planting area. The garden is available as a place to sit and read whenever the library is open. The Friends and the Libraries Service also lay on several events each year for adults and children. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Via steps from the library (Herne Hill Road) or by a gently sloping path from the side of the library in Ferndene Road Nearest stations: Loughborough Junction, Herne Hill, North Dulwich, Denmark Hill Buses: 42, 68, 468, P4 Activities: Refreshments. Display on the history and development of the garden. Garden trail. Conducted tours. Storytelling and other children’s activities w www.friendsofcarnegielibrary.org.uk

J2. Durand Gardens SW9 0PS Durand Gardens are an unusual Dshaped space in the Stockwell Park Conservation Area. The shape of the garden is said to be derived from it being the site of a plague pit. The area was developed from around 1840 to 1870, with houses built around the garden on a pattern-book system in a wide variety of styles. The gardens themselves were neglected for many years until the residents bought them in the 1980s. Since then they have been kept as woodland gardens and are at their best in the spring, with large displays of bluebells and daffodils. The main group of trees are limes and oaks, with a scattering of specimen trees amongst them. The central grass area is a delightful spot for a picnic. There is now a residents’ scheme to develop a wider season of plant and

OGSWGuide 2014

Durand Gardens

tree display. An exhibition will explain the history and plans for the gardens. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Opposite No. 19 Access: Uneven ground: wheelchairs can get in but may find it uncomfortable. Nearest station: Stockwell Buses: 155, 333 (Clapham Road), 3, 59, 133, 159, 415 (Brixton Road) Activities: Small exhibition on the garden’s history

J3. Eden at St. Paul’s Community Garden SW4 0DX Eden Community Garden is a tranquil green space in the middle of inner-city Clapham. It was founded in 2000 on the site of an ancient burial ground, dating back 1,000 years to the original church of Clapham, and is part of St. Paul’s churchyard. In the 17th century the land here was connected to the manor house owned by Henry Atkins, physician to King James I. It was a burial ground for parishioners who died from the plague, followed by Roundhead soldiers killed in the Civil War battle for Battersea

Marshes. Our aim is to create and maintain a sustainable habitat for wildlife and promote recycling and biodiversity through planting native British species and organic gardening. An apiary and a wildlife pond help us achieve this aim. We hold summer solstice and autumn celebrations. Volunteering days are on Mondays and some weekends throughout the year. The garden has won a Green Pennant for seven years running and four Green Flags, and received an ‘outstanding’ commendation in the London in Bloom competition, 2011. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Matrimony Place off Rectory Grove Nearest stations: Wandsworth Road (500m), Clapham Common (1km) Buses: 77, 87, 88, 322, 417, 452 Activities: Saturday: St. Paul’s Church Summer Fair 12-3pm. Cake stall, tombola, coconut shy, plant stall and other attractions w www.stpaulssw4.org Community gardener: Sam MacDonald

Garden listings

J4. Trinity Hospice SW4 0RN Trinity’s gardens were designed by John Medhurst according to plans drawn up by American landscape architect Lanning Roper, who in 1982 had offered to design Trinity’s gardens but sadly died before he could finish the job. John Medhurst took up the mantle and incorporated many of Lanning Roper’s ideas. Little of the garden pre-dates 1983 (when Medhurst finished his work) except hedges and trees, notably a purple beech planted in 1981 by the late Queen Mother. Two old mulberries, a plane, horse chestnut and a swamp cypress give maturity to the garden, while the cherries add colour. The trees are protected by preservation orders and have to be carefully maintained. The garden covers just under two acres. At the far end is a pond stocked with goldfish. A sculpture, Four open horizontal squares, by George Rickey sits in the pond, moving in the wind with the slightest breeze. A new in-patient centre opened in 2009, making more work necessary on the garden to fit around the new buildings. The newer parts of the garden were designed by T.P.

Bennett. They are intended to be viewed from both the upper and lower levels of the in-patient centre, with steep slopes of shrubs and herbaceous planting falling towards the building. The inpatient centre and gardens were officially opened in July 2009 by HRH the Duchess of Cornwall and a tree was planted to mark the occasion. The weeping cherry sits in the middle of one of the new lawns created and will add lovely spring flowers to the gardens. In time, the gardens will mature into something even more special for the residents to enjoy within the grounds of the hospice. Open: Saturday: 11am–4pm, Sunday: 11am–4pm Entrance: 30 Clapham Common North Side Access: Steps can be avoided by using ramps Nearest station: Clapham Common Buses: 35, 37, 88, 137, 155, 345, G1 Activities: Plant sale. Refreshments w www.trinityhospice.org.uk Head gardener: Terry Salter

J5. Windrush Square SW2 1JQ Windrush Square is a public open space in the heart of Lambeth, opposite the Edwardian town hall. Part of the historic Rush Common, it was formed by the amalgamation of Tate Library Gardens with the adjacent old Windrush Square. The part of Rushcroft Road that used to separate the two areas has been closed and incorporated into the new square. The works to create the square were carried out by Transport for London and the square opened in February 2010. It is surrounded by important Victorian and Edwardian buildings and contains a number of interesting monuments. This is our fifth year of participating in OGSW. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 11am–5pm Entrance: Effra Road / Brixton Hill Nearest station: Brixton Buses: 2, 3, 35, 37, 45, 59, 109, 118, 133, 159, 196, 250, 333, 415, 432, P4, P5 Activities: Brixton Society stand with displays of local history and local history publications for sale. Heritage walks led by knowledgeable guides w www.brixtonsociety.org.uk

Windrush Square OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Central London

Notting Hill + Bayswater + Little Venice Legible London

DB RO KE

RK PA

ROA

VE N A

RO AD

AY TW ES

LL IN

KE GR

TBOU

RNE

Notting Hill Gate E

ALA N P

GAR

D ER ROA

Kensington Palace

HU N C

DEN

GTO

SIN CH

HOLLAND PA R K

EE T

Holland Park a

N D RD

IDG

ER S T

KENSI GAR

GTO

Coronet Cinema

HOL

OGSWGuide 2014

MAYOR OF LONDON

P’S

B AY BA YSW

B AY S W AT

SIN

T L GA

O ISH

Queensway

KEN

CRE

K14

West 12 Shopping Centre

Lit Ve

Bayswater

Shepherd’s Bush

PA ND

St. Sophia Greek o Cathedral

K11

Westfield London

Whiteleys

PA L A

Holland Park k

K16

WES

K10

K12

IL NG H

KEN

Elim Church Kensington Temple NOTTI

OA ’S R

U S RO

ANN

N S WAY

S T.

OS T CR

St. John’s Notting Hill

QUEE

E GROV

WES

AVO V O N DA VO ALE

ROAD

K18

K13

Paddington Library

NO OT T I N G HILL RIDGE

Westbourne Grove Church

Royal Oak

ROAD

Portobello l Road Market M k t

L A D B RO K E G RO ROV OV E

Latimer Road

RTO

BRAMLEY ROAD

Kensington Leisure Centre t

PEMB

Lad dbroke d o Ladbroke Grove

T ES

K AR

North Kensington Library

D E G

STOW

G RID

PORCHES

CHEP

’

P O RT TO T O B E L LO

. M

MAID DA A VA ALE

Westminster s Westbourne Academy d Green at the h Naim m Dangoor Centre W E S T WAY

R E G

AV E

TIN

Westbourne u P Park

Maida Vale V

W i k Warwick Gr Padand U Avenue din nio gto n C n B an ran al ch

LAD

K17

S T. Q UIN

T SU

GRE

St. Charles’ Centre

N GI

BBC Maida Vale Studios

RO ON

I LG

HAR

O Y R

RLB

MAID DA HILL

KENSAL TO OW WN

RLA

W ROA D

Sainsbury’s

Paddington Recreation Ground

KIL

SHI

HARRO

Jubilee Sports Centre

15 mins

ROW

10 mins

FERNHEAD ROAD

5 mins

FIFTH A VENUE

City of Westminster College

walking scale HAR

Kensington Ken en nsingggton t Town Tow wn Hall w Ha all al

The e Barkers Bar arkers Building Buiild ldiing ngg D

KENS

INGT

ON R D

Garden listings

Squares & Gardens Key Lord’s Cricket k Ground u ’S

RO AD

Arundel & Elgin Garden Cleveland Square K3 Cleveland Gardens

Leinster Square Gardens

K11

Norland Square

LI ON

K5 K6

E RD

K10

K19

Crescent Garden Formosa Garden Hanover Gardens Kensington Gardens Square Kensington Nursing Home (BUPA) Ladbroke Square Garden

B3 E3 E3 D1 D1 B3 D3 C4 C3

JO T.

D OO

London Central Mosque

G W

Marylebone

RE RO

Edgware Road

ttle enice

HARROW ROAD

C3 B3 A4 F3

E RR

St. SSt John’s JJohn s Church

U A

K18 K19

Triangle Garden

K15

A4 A2

K17

Hilton London Paddington o

E SS

Paddi d nggto on o Paddington

St James’s Gardens St Quintin Avenue Community Kitchen Garden Stanley Crescent Garden

K16

WA WAT AT E R CR

St. Mary’s S T R Hospital t ED A

Edgware Road

PA D D I N G T PA TO ON

O E R

Pembridge Square K13 Rosmead Garden K14 21 Royal Crescent Gardens K15 St George’s Fields

K12

Lancasterr London Hotel H

B AY S

W AT E

Opening Days

D R ROA

Open Saturday & Sunday

Open Saturday only

Lancaster Gate

Open Sunday only

HYDE PA R K

NGT TO ON RDENS

Please check individual listings for opening times.

Key Underground station

Princess Diana Memorial

Albert Memorrial Memorial Me al

The Serpentine

Serpentine n Gallery

Overground station National rail station

KENSING

TON ROAD

Transport for London

OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Central London

Notting Hill + Bayswater + Little Venice

K1. Arundel & Elgin Garden W11 2ER A friendly and informal garden square with mature trees, plants and shrubs, laid out to the original Victorian design from an old map of 1862. It is dominated by a very tall plane tree in the centre. Arundel Gardens and Elgin Crescent were built between 1852 and 1862 as part of the residential development of the Ladbroke Grove area. Open: Sunday: 2–6pm Entrance: Opposite 174 Kensington Park Road Access: Narrow gates: 91cm wide from Ladbroke Grove and 105cm from Kensington Park Road. Narrow paths: 45cm wide Nearest stations: Notting Hill Gate, Ladbroke Grove Buses: 23, 52, 228, 452 Activities: Tea and cakes served. Live music at intervals during the afternoon w www.arundelandelgingarden.org

K2. Cleveland Square W2 6DG A beautiful, quiet 1.5-acre garden square with lawns, gravel paths and mature trees, surrounded by grade II-listed white stucco-fronted houses. The square dates from around 1855. Recent re-planting has created a garden more like a private garden than a park, with a particular

focus on horticulture. There is a diverse range of herbaceous perennials, including new plantings of oriental poppies and cirsium, while early-to-late peonies intermingle with alliums, lupins and penstemon. A fragrant Styrax japonicus edges woodland planting with Lunaria rediva, epimediums, digitalis and Smyrnium perfoliatum. In 2012 the gardens won second place in the large private square category of the London Squares Garden Competition. Open: Saturday: 2–6pm Entrance: West gate, opposite no. 25 Nearest stations: Paddington, Bayswater, Lancaster Gate Buses: 7, 23, 27, 36, 46, 159, 205, 332, 436 + 70, 94, 148, 274, 390 Activities: Hahahopscotch 4–4.45pm Children’ traditional games: a giggly, wriggly play session allowing modern children to enjoy old-fashioned fun with an irresistible array of games: sack race, tug of war, egg-and-spoon and hoops. 5.15–6pm Traditional games for adults. We couldn’t resist! A chance for the older ones to indulge their inner child with these nostalgic games. And, just in case you might feel inhibited, we’ve invited the Gin Garden along so you can fortify yourself with a cocktail or two made using fresh ingredients from the Square. See website for booking w www.clevelandsquare.org Garden manager: Suzanne Etherton

K3. Cleveland Gardens W2 6HA Small sister garden to Cleveland Square, just 75m away. In 2006 the old perimeter fencing was replaced with beautiful traditional railings and the entire garden was refurbished – all achieved by the hard work of the residents’ association with the help of grants from English Heritage and Westminster City Council. One of the conditions of the grants is that the garden is open to the public for 21 days a year Open: Saturday: 2–5pm Entrance: East gate, opposite no. 7 Nearest stations: Paddington, Bayswater, Lancaster Gate Buses: 7, 23, 27, 36, 46, 159, 205, 332, 436 + 70, 94, 148, 274, 390 w www.clevelandsquare.org Garden manager: Suzanne Etherton

K4. Crescent Garden W9 1ED Recently given an award as London’s best large private garden square, Crescent Garden is a three-acre communal garden, just off Warrington Crescent. It is surrounded by stuccofronted houses dating from around 1865, including a grade II-listed balconied terrace. In the 1970s local residents defeated plans by the Church Commissioners to turn the garden into communal car parking. Today it has lawns, a fine set of interesting trees, island beds and many unusual plants and shrubs. There is also a children’s play area. The area was bombed in WW1, when enemy planes mistook the canals of Little Venice for the river Thames. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Entrance next to 1 Warrington Crescent, down ramp and through gate Access: Gravel paths Nearest station: Warwick Avenue Buses: 6, 46, 98, 187, 414 Activities: Children’s play area with swings and slide www.crescentgarden.co.uk Garden associates: Robert Player

K5. Formosa Garden W9 1EZ

Cleveland Square

OGSWGuide 2014

A beautiful triangular garden lined with plane trees that is a source of joy to the residents who use it. Open: Sunday: 2–5pm

Garden listings Entrance: At 32 Castellain Road, near junction with Sutherland Avenue Access: Gravel paths Nearest station: Warwick Avenue Buses: 6, 46, 187, 414, 98 w www.formosaamenity.co.uk Garden Renaissance: Mike Stratford

K6. Hanover Gardens W11 3LN A peaceful woodland garden in the heart of the historic Ladbroke Estate, the quiet of which is disturbed only by birdsong and the bells of St John’s, Notting Hill. Rolling lawns with mature spreading planes and occasional specimen trees, including a tulip tree, are interspersed with copses of choice woodland planting, such as callicarpa, honeysuckle, brunnera, liriope, hellebores, epimediums and ferns. Dame Sylvia Crowe, the noted landscape architect and garden designer, lived here for many years. Open: Sunday: 2–5pm Entrance: Opposite 11 Lansdowne Walk Access: Most of the garden is accessible by wheelchair, apart from one area with steps. Gravel paths Nearest station: Holland Park Buses: 31, 94, 148 Gardeners: Mark Steel and Chris Hearn; General maintenance: Joseph Jones

K7. Kensington Gardens Square W2 4DJ These gardens, ‘serene with a touch of waywardness’, are surrounded by fivestorey stucco-fronted houses built in 1858 by Henry de Bruno Austin. Originally family houses for members of the then-emerging professional classes, the grade II-listed properties are now flats and hotels. The gardens have recently been upgraded and replica wrought-iron gates installed as a step towards replacing the lost WW2 railings. They enclose a tranquil green space in this busy enclave of Bayswater. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Gate opposite no. 75 Kensington Gardens Square Access: Gravel paths Nearest station: Bayswater Buses: 7, 12, 15, 23, 27, 70, 94, 148 Activities: Hahahopscotch 11–11.45pm Giggly & Green Fingered: seeds, shoots, dirt, and nibbling for those with little green thumbs. 1–1.45pm Garden Gallivant: A frolic through garden history involving bunting, a wheelbarrow relay, cuddly sheep, miniature topiary, and ‘Roman’ statues. See website for booking w www.kgsgarden.org.uk

Cleveland Gardens

K8. Kensington Nursing Home (BUPA) W11 3PH Two very different and delightful gardens at the same location. A spacious, mature private garden behind the building features an L-shaped lawn with a paved path, shaded seating, raised flower and herb beds, an intriguing Perspex sculpture, mosaics and a sensory area. There is also a separate garden with a pergola, fronting onto Ladbroke Road. Delightfully cool on a hot summer afternoon! Open: Sunday: 2–5pm Entrance: 40-46 Ladbroke Road Nearest stations: Notting Hill Gate, Holland Park Buses: 12, 94, 148 Activities: Tea and coffee, plant sale Gardener: Karin Welzel

K9. Ladbroke Square Garden W11 3BJ The garden was originally the site of a racecourse, the Hippodrome, built by John Whyte in 1837. The venture foundered as the course was too heavygoing. A plan of 1849 signed by the architect/surveyor Thomas Allason shows the garden laid out as it is today, the largest of the 16 communal gardens of the Ladbroke Estate. It is also one of the largest private garden squares in London, listed by English Heritage as grade II. Within the railings, shrubbery and mature trees enclose a long east-west walk along the north side, with winding paths around three spacious lawns. Open: Sunday: 2–6pm Entrance: Gate opposite no.60 Kensington Park Road only. Access: Level access, but gravel paths

and uneven surfaces Nearest station: Notting Hill Gate Buses: 27, 28, 31, 52, 94, 328, 452 Activities: The Royal National Lifeboat Institution will provide teas Head gardener: Colin Derome

K10. Leinster Square Gardens W2 4PW A garden planted when the surrounding imposing white stucco houses were built between 1856 and 1864 by an obscure speculator, George Wyatt. The garden is dominated by three majestic plane trees planted at that time. There are interesting bushes and plants maintained by a once-weekly gardener. The garden is now organically planted and bird boxes are in place; there are plans for bat boxes and we have planted a wildflower area. We are are trying to encourage insects and butterflies. Open: Sunday: 2–5pm Entrance: Hereford Road Access: Paths too narrow for wheelchairs and path surfaces uneven. They will hopefully be repaired by next year Nearest stations: Bayswater, Queensway, Notting Hill Buses: 7, 23, 27, 28, 31, 36, 52, 70, 94, 148, 328, 390, 452 w www.lsga.org.uk

K11. Norland Square W11 4PX Originally part of the Norland Estate, the square and beautiful surrounding stuccofronted houses were built by a property developer in the early 1840s. A shady gravel path meanders around the garden next to borders filled with mixed shrubs and ornamental trees. The garden OGSWGuide 2014

Area K: Notting Hill + Bayswater + Little Venice Entrance: Rosmead Road gate Access: Entry down a steep flight of steps followed by a short gravel slope Nearest stations: Ladbroke Grove, Holland Park, Notting Hill Gate Buses: 7, 23, 52, 452,228 Activities: We hope once again to have our very successful, utterly delicious ‘popup’ café. Every penny raised will go to the Kipungani Schools Trust, a charity that helps educate Kenyan children, both primary and secondary – expanding schools, providing extra teaching staff and grants too

K14. Royal Crescent Gardens W11 4SN Rosmead Garden

railings were reinstated in 2007. The sunny central lawn has a children’s playground and tennis court at opposite ends. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: East side of the square only. Access: Access to lawns via gravel path. Nearest station: Holland Park Buses: 31, 94, 148 Activities: Homemade cakes and water available

K12. Pembridge Square W2 4ED Pembridge Square was built between 1856 and 1864 and the garden completed in 1865. It recently received awards for the best garden in north Kensington and best large private garden square. The long rectangular garden has a beautiful woodland area, wild flowers at the east end, a rose garden at the west end and a long herbaceous border. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Opposite no.11 Access: Narrow gravel paths Nearest station: Notting Hill Gate Buses: 27, 28, 31, 52, 70, 94, 148, 328, 390, 452 Activities: Children’s play area with swings and a hornbeam maze Garden associates: Robert Player

These gardens are part of the Norland Estate, developed from around 1840 by Robert Cantwell, who laid out Royal Crescent in 1846. The Ordnance Survey map of 1860 shows a path following the periphery and trees and paths within the space. The gardens contain two magnificent plane trees at least as old as the Crescent buildings. The perimeter railings, sacrificed for the war effort in WW2, were restored in 1997. The garden committee has worked since 2003 with a garden designer on full restoration, to enhance the planting and improve the visual amenity the gardens offer to all residents. Considerable progress has been made, including the installation of a gazebo specially made for the garden as a new central feature in 2007, replanting of the west side in 2008-9 and the south path in 2011. Significant improvements to the planting and layout continued in 2013 and the project is nearing completion. In 2007 the garden

K13. Rosmead Garden W11 2JG This garden is part of the Ladbroke Estate, which includes Arundel Gardens and St John’s Gardens. Thomas Allom’s plan of 1823 provided for generous communal gardens, organised in a concentric layout of crescents. The outer crescents date from the 1860s. Open: Sunday: 12–5pm

OGSWGuide 2014

St George’s Fields

won the Kensington Society award for garden design and in 2008 first prize for communal gardens in North Kensington under the Brighter Kensington and Chelsea Scheme. It came second in the communal gardens class from 2009 to 2013. Awards have also been given by the London Gardens Society. Open: Saturday: 9.30am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Double gate opposite no. 5 on east side Nearest stations: Holland Park, Shepherd’s Bush Buses: C1, 31, 49, 94, 148, 228, 295, 316, Contract gardener: Joseph Jones

K15. St George’s Fields W2 2YE A surprising and quiet garden retreat across the Bayswater Road from Hyde Park, just five minutes’ walk from Marble Arch, with 2.5 acres of woodland gardens skilfully landscaped to separate each of the early 1970s buildings that make up the estate. The unique ziggurat pyramidstyle buildings incorporate five levels of balconies, each with hanging gardens. The garden itself has a wide range of trees (including one of London’s oldest plane trees), with many mature specimens retained when the flats were built. Paths wind round the blocks leading to peaceful courtyard gardens with lawns, shrubs and rare plants including tree-ferns and New Zealand tea-tree plants. In 2008 a woodland garden was created, incorporating many trees and plants that were previously on the estate in pots and planters. Since the gardens were last opened further

Garden listings landscaping has been carried out and more work is planned so it unlikely that the gardens will be open every year. There are two fishponds each with large specimen fish. A detailed guide to the trees on the estate prepared by Mark Clews, arboricultural consultant of Wimbledon is available for inspection. Free souvenir booklet on St George’s Fields for visitors. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Gate in Albion Street Access: Not all the paths are paved and there are one or two steps and a bark path, but there are large open lawned areas with benches on which a weary body may rest Nearest stations: Marble Arch, Paddington or Lancaster Gate Buses: 98, 148, 274, 390 Activities: Photographic display. Walking route guide. Free souvenir booklet on historical interest. Architectural plantsupport systems by the late John Zerning. Toilet, fruit juice, water cooler wwww.stgeorgesfields.org.uk Garden contractor: Tony Heywood

K16. St James’s Gardens

St Quintin Avenue Community Kitchen Garden

W11 4RA The gardens were established in the late 1840s as part of the Norland Estate. A speculative developer, Charles Richardson, built the houses around St James’s Gardens and set up the gardens for the benefit of the residents who were, and still are, required to maintain them. Richardson gifted the site for St James’s Church to the Church Commissioners on the basis that the houses would be more saleable if they had access to their own adjacent church. The church, designed by architect Lewis Vulliamy, was built between 1844 and 1855. The gardens are laid out in an informal woodland style, dominated by the fine chestnut and lime trees which date back well into the 19th century. Open: Sunday: 2–5pm Entrance: South side of gardens Nearest station: Holland Park Buses: 31, 94, 148, 228, 295, 316 Contract gardener: Joseph Jones

K17. St Quintin Avenue Community Kitchen Garden W10 6NX A disused tennis court has been transformed into a community kitchen garden where local residents grow their own fresh produce. The site is used by over 100 local people and groups to grow a huge variety of fruit and vegetables. The garden consists of 48 raised wooden

beds and provides a local food-growing centre. The design of the site maximises food-growing space and allows the garden to look attractive. Plot holders are encouraged to grow a mixture of fruit, vegetables and flowers. The garden has an amazing ambience, which has helped foster a great community spirit between plot holders. It shows what can be created on an under-used and neglected open space. St Quintin’s Garden won second prize in the community food-growing category in ‘London in Bloom’ in 2010. Several plot holders have won individual awards. The garden featured in The Great British Garden Revival series on BBC2 in December 2013, in a programme introduced by Alys Fowler. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: The entrance is on St Quintin Avenue next to the health centre Access: Narrow paths, ramps Nearest station: Ladbroke Grove Buses: 7, 23, 70, 228, 295, 316 Activities: Plants and homemade cakes for sale. Tea and coffee Cg

K18. Stanley Crescent Garden W11 2NA One of the least altered communal gardens in the area, the garden is part of the Ladbroke Estate development

which was largely designed and built in 1852-3 by Thomas Allom. It contains many old, rare and protected trees. The garden was recently voted the best garden square in Kensington and Chelsea in a competition organised by Garden Square News. Open: Sunday: 2–6pm Entrance: South gate in Kensington Park Gardens Nearest stations: Holland Park, Notting Hill Gate, Ladbroke Grove Buses: 52, 452, 228 w stanleycrescentgarden.wordpress.com

K19. Triangle Garden W9 1BQ A beautiful, tranquil garden, perfectly proportioned in the form of a triangle, with formal and informal beds. The original white stucco houses, dating from the 1860s, surround this peaceful space. There is a central island of London plane trees that are over 100 years old. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Corner of Randolph Avenue and Randolph Crescent; between 26 and 28 Randolph Crescent Access: Wheelchair access on rather steep slope. Gravel paths Nearest station: Warwick Avenue Buses: 6, 46, 187 Garden associates: Robert Player

OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Central London

Marylebone +West End + Bloomsbury Legible London SQ

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OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Central London

Marylebone + West End + Bloomsbury

L1. The Academy Gardens WC1E 6HG The hotel is formed from five cleverly linked Georgian houses, originally built in 1776. It has two small courtyard gardens to the rear, one with a fishpond, while large trees dominate the perimeter. There is a small collection of interesting shrubs. It’s hard to believe that you are in the heart of London. Just off Bedford Square, this area of London was home to the famous Bloomsbury Set, which included writer Virginia Woolf and economist John Maynard Keynes. Open: Saturday: 9am–5pm, Sunday: 9am–5pm Entrance: 21 Gower Street Access: Difficult: steps Nearest stations: Goodge Street, Tottenham Court Road Buses: 10, 24, 29, 73, 134, 390 Activities: Sip a glass of chilled wine next to the pond, curl up with a paper or enjoy a hot brew or afternoon tea. Full range of refreshments available wwww.theacademyhotel.co.uk

L2. Bedford Square WC1B 3HH Built between 1775 and 1786, Bedford Square is the best and most complete Georgian square in London. The elegant surrounding buildings, now mainly offices, were once fashionable town houses and have distinctive Coadestone entrances. The large oval garden at the centre is surrounded by pre-war iron railings and screened by encircling shrubberies and mature plane trees. The garden has benefited over the years from a programme of works, with new benches and metal edging installed alongside the newly re-surfaced path that circumnavigates the garden. Areas of interest include a ring of mature London plane trees, a Victorian stumpery and pocket planting of a large variety of herbaceous plants. A beehive has also been installed as part of a biodiversity programme. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: North side of square Access: Hard surface only at entrance to garden

OGSWGuide 2014

Nearest stations: Tottenham Court Road, Goodge Street Buses: 10, 24, 29, 73, 134 + 1, 7, 8, 19, 25, 38, 55, 98, 242 wwww.bedfordestates.com Head gardener: James Gillions

L3. British Medical Association Council Garden WC1H 9JP Architect Sir Edwin Lutyens designed this elegant town garden at the heart of the BMA headquarters at Tavistock Square. It is a private garden, much esteemed by members and visitors to the BMA, but little known beyond. Planting is refreshingly green around a central oval pool and the use of physic plants among the planting bears witness to the continuing role of plants in contemporary pharmacology. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Via main entrance to BMA House in Upper Woburn Place, opposite NE corner of Tavistock Square Access: The garden accessible to wheelchairs by prior arrangement Nearest stations: Russell Square, Euston Buses: 59, 68, 91, 168 Activities: Guided talks on the garden, its history and its plants at 11am, 12noon, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm. Café open Gardener: Daniela Sikora

British Medical Association Council Garden

L4. Brunswick Square WC1N 1AZ Brunswick Square was one of the gardens flanking the Foundling Hospital (now demolished), a charity set up in 1739 to cater for abandoned children. Work on the square began in 1795 and the gardens were originally laid out and railed in 1799. The grade II-listed square is named after Caroline of Brunswick, the Prince Regent’s wife. In Jane Austen’s Emma, Mr and Mrs John Knightley make their home in Brunswick Square, then on the edge of London, commending its healthiness: ‘Our part of London is so very superior to most others. The neighbourhood of Brunswick Square is very different from almost all the rest. We are so remarkably airy!’. J.M. Barrie, author of Peter Pan, as well as Virginia Woolf and other Bloomsbury Group members are among the famous former residents of the area. New research places the Darlings’ home, into which Peter Pan flew to visit Wendy, on the south-west corner of the square. The original houses surrounding the square have been replaced by the UCL School of Pharmacy and the Foundling Museum to the north, the Brunswick shopping centre to the west and International Hall (a university hall of residence) to the south. The children’s charities, Coram and Coram’s Fields, are off the square. Mecklenburgh Square is a similar, but

Garden listings Nearest station: King’s Cross Buses: 17, 45, 46 Activities: Plant sales, teashop, World Cup-themed football tournament for kids on our Astroturf pitch Conditions: No alcohol permitted on site. Guide dogs only wwww.calthorpeproject.org.uk Gardeners: Staff and volunteers

L7. Collingham Gardens Nursery WC1N 1PH

Dorset Square

private, square to the east, linked by a path on the north-east side. The square’s large London plane tree, more than 200 years old, is recognised as one of the Great Trees of London. Open: Saturday: 11am–4.30pm Entrance: Turn right on exiting the station Nearest station: Russell Square Buses: 7, 59, 68, 91, 168, 188 Activities: ‘Incredible edibles’ theme supported by a Waitrose Fruit & Vegetables tasting session, a country of origin quiz and a flower arranging demonstration, plus creative activities led by the October Gallery, during the day. Self-guided walks around the Bloomsbury squares available from the Association of Bloomsbury Squares and Gardens website (see below). Guided walk, Saturday 14 June, 11am-12:30pm: Val Martin Memorial Bloomsbury Walk: How the Bloomsbury Squares were Shaped. Pre-booking essential at www.eventbrite.co.uk. Free entry and 10% discount in the café for OGSW ticket holders to the Foundling Museum, which tells the story of Britain’s first home for abandoned children and London’s firstever public art gallery wwww.bloomsburysquares.org.uk

L5. Bryanston Square W1H 2DH Bryanston Square was built between 1811 and 1821. The houses on the east and west sides were built to a grand design with stuccoed fronts and columns and pediments at each corner and in the centre (the latter now lost). The square has magnificent old London plane trees

set among other flowering trees. Planting includes rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, weigelas, dogwood, viburnum, mahonia, hydrangeas and others. There is a memorial drinking fountain of 1863 at the south end and an early 19thcentury cast-iron water pump in the form of a Doric column at the north end. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Middle of east side, opposite No. 11 Access: Gravel paths Nearest stations: Baker Street, Marble Arch Buses: 2, 13, 30, 74, 82, 139, 189, 274 Contract gardener: Joseph Jones

L6. Calthorpe Project Community Garden WC1X 8LH A 1.2-acre community garden, which opened in 1984 after local residents campaigned against the sale of the land for development. Today it includes a Walter Segal self-build community building, an under-fives’ area, a wild garden, community composting area, Bangladeshi womens’ plots, family plots and the only outdoor AstroTurf futsal pitch in the country at present. We have also developed a food-growing area with raised beds and large polytunnel for use by local people, schools and other community groups. Open: Saturday: 12–6pm, Sunday: 12– 6pm Entrance: From Gray’s Inn Road, opposite Westminster Kingsway College Access: Disabled access throughout the garden

This is a completely hidden, semi-wild garden in the middle of Bloomsbury, with many large trees dating back at least a century. It was originally part of the first graveyard set outside church land in London and belonged to St George the Martyr, Queen Square – the other half is now St George’s Gardens. The gravestones (and the bodies!) remain. It later became the site of a medical school specialising in anatomy and dissection, run by an American, Dr Cooke, and used by the University of London and the nearby Garrett Anderson Hospital for Women. For the past 50 years the garden, which was given for the use of children forever, has been used by a cooperative nursery run by local parents. The nursery’s ethos is ‘play and learning through exploration of the natural world’. The children connect with animals and learn to treat them with respect. They grow food, which they harvest and cook, and plant new trees to replace those that die. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: From Henrietta Mews at junction with Wakefield Street and Handel Street Access: Access via ramp. Paths can be narrow, uneven, slippery and muddy Nearest stations: King’s Cross, St Pancras, Russell Square Buses: 59, 68, 91, 168 Activities: Exhibition on history and current use of site as an pre-school nursery rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. Gardening activities aimed at younger folk accompanied by adults, seedlings to plant in pots etc.alongside volunteers. Refreshments available wwww.collinghamgardensnursery.com Head: Katharine Jerrom

L9. Dorset Square NW1 6QJ Dorset Square is the central feature of an urban layout planned by the Portman Estate (1815-20). The square, architecturally still intact, was laid out on OGSWGuide 2014

Area L: Marylebone + West End + Bloomsbury

Lloyd Square

the site of Thomas Lord’s first cricket ground, established in 1787. Sir Laurence Gomme (1853-1916), an early pioneer of the Blue Plaques scheme, lived at no. 24 from 1895 to 1909. His home is marked by the 800th blue plaque. George Grossmith, co-author of The Diary of a Nobody, was also a resident of the square. He too is marked by a blue plaque, as is Dodie Smith, author of 101 Dalmatians. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: South Gate – opposite No. 34 Nearest stations: Baker Street, Marylebone Buses: 2, 13, 18, 27, 30, 82, 74, 113, 205, 274, 453 Gardener: Mario Crasta

L10. Fitzroy Square W1T 6EF Fitzroy Square is one of London’s finest squares and the only London square designed by Robert Adam. It is named after Charles Fitzroy, 4th Duke of Grafton, who commissioned Adam to design the houses for a new London square in the late 18th century. Many famous artists, writers and statesmen have lived here. Houses marked by blue plaques include those once occupied by Victorian prime minister Lord Salisbury

and writers George Bernard Shaw and Virginia Woolf, who both lived at no. 29 at different times. During the last 40 years the square and garden have been restored, including the circular stone plinth and railings to the original design. More information on the square and its history is available in the booklet for sale. Open: Sunday: 10am–6.30pm Entrance: North side of Fitzroy Square, off Warren Street Nearest stations: Warren Street, Great Portland Street Buses: Northbound: 10, 24, 29, 73, 134; southbound: 88, C2; westbound: 18, 27, 30 Activities: Homemade cream teas and light refreshments served in the tea tent

L11. The House of St Barnabas in Soho W1D 4NQ A focal point in the life of Soho and the West End, The House of St Barnabas is owned by a charity which supports London’s homeless people back into work through an Employment Academy, which operates at the heart of a not-for-profit private members’ club. Our 18th-century grade I-listed building, with stunning Georgian features, and a historic private chapel form two sides of a small, secluded courtyard garden. The garden is a central part of the club and is furnished for informal external dining. The planting around the perimeter and in large plots is designed to give interest throughout the seasons. Landscape designer Hannah Gardner of New British Landscapes has used local materials and locally sourced plants to create a garden that will endure and thrive over time. Research suggests that the historic rooms of The House of St. Barnabas were the imagined rooms for Dr Manette and Lucy, in Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, who also sat in the garden ‘under the plane trees’. We would like to welcome you to our garden, where even on the busiest day you can escape from the hustle and bustle of Soho life.

Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Via the entrance to the Chapel of St Barnabas. Manette Street Access: Limited disabled access – please phone 020 7437 1894 to arrange Nearest station: Tottenham Court Road Buses: 1, 7, 8, 10, 14, 19, 24, 25, 55, 29, 73, 98, 134, 176, 242, 390 whttp://hosb.org.uk Gardeners: Hannah Gardner with Sara Ingrams

L12. International Lutheran Student Centre Sunken Courtyard WC1H 9QH The private courtyard of St Mary with St George German Lutheran Church, and the International Lutheran Student Centre, is a sunken haven in the busy streets of St Pancras. It was created when the building was built on the site of a former Church of England property, damaged during WW2, with the intention of providing a safe and calm place for student residents and members of the Church congregation and community to work and relax. It is used regularly by individuals and groups, for social events of the student and church community, and for external groups who use our building for conferences and meetings. The first glimpse of the small paved garden is through a lunette in the reception area. There is a variegated weigela and Japanese rowan tree in the centre of the paved garden space, with ground-level beds around the courtyard containing a variety of perennial shrubs as well as seasonal and annual plants. The area is also overlooked by a garden balcony (no access). The garden is planted, maintained and watered by ILSC staff, although it is also offered to student residents to plant or help with maintenance if they feel inspired! In St Mary’s Church, which opens onto the garden, there is a sculpture of Christ on the Cross by Elisabeth Frink, who also created the wonderful walking Madonna

The Bloomsbury Squares Bloomsbury is famous as an area of garden squares and today the Bloomsbury Squares provide a green route for visitors between the major stations of arrival into the capital (Kings Cross, St Pancras, Euston) and the West End. The first site in London to be called by the name ‘square’ was Bloomsbury Square, originally known as Southampton Square, as it was created in the 1660s on land owned by the 4th Earl of Southampton. All the squares were developed as residential areas with a common space in the centre and, in the 18th century, they quickly grew popular as pleasant, airy places to live. Many squares on the edge of the town still had views of open country; the ideal was ‘rus in urbe’ – to bring a feeling of the countryside into the town. Today these leafy green spaces, each with its own character, are fulfilling the same purpose. Most are open to the public on a daily basis, but Bedford, Fitzroy and Mecklenburgh Squares are usually only accessible on Open Garden Squares Weekend. For more information and suggested walking routes visit the website of the Association of Bloomsbury Squares and Gardens: www.bloomsburysquares.org.uk

OGSWGuide 2014

Garden listings at Salisbury Cathedral. On another side of the garden is a social clubroom used regularly by the student residents and by St Mary’s for social and community events such as their annual Christmas fair, and monthly ministry with children and youth. Visitors are invited to take time to sit and reflect, listen to music or join in a guided meditation. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm Entrance: 30 Thanet Street Access: One small step on pavement just outside the front door. Eleven steps or lift for wheelchair access to sunken courtyard garden on lower ground floor Nearest stations: King’s Cross, St Pancras, Russell Square Buses: 10, 30, 59, 73, 91, 205, 390, 476 (Euston Road) + 59, 68, 91, 168 (Tavistock Square) Activities: Guided meditations will take place at 12 noon (a mindfulness session with themes of nature) and in the afternoon (accompanied by music), to which visitors are welcome. At other times, including 11am and 3pm, the church’s music group will play from its repertoire of classical Lutheran church music. In the clubroom, Fairtrade tea, coffee, chocolate and other hot drinks and cold snacks will be available wwww.ilscentre.org.uk

L13. Lloyd Square WC1X 9BA The tranquil and secluded garden of Lloyd Square has a traditional layout, with trees around the perimeter and a central flowerbed surrounded by smaller beds, planted with shrub roses and perennials in an informal design. A gravelled path leads to a pergola. The lawned children’s play area was originally a tennis court. The distinctive pedimented façades of the surrounding houses were designed by the father-andson team of John and William Booth between 1820 and 1830 for the Lloyd Baker family, who owned the whole estate until the mid-20th century. A garden committee run by residents has managed the garden since 1917. In the last few years, renewal work has been undertaken to repair and renovate the railings, reinstate paths, extend planting across the garden and refurbish the arbour. Leaving the square at the southwest end, a walkway leads through St Helena’s Garden, recently replanted by the local community group with shadeloving plants. Open: Saturday: 2–5.30pm, Sunday: 1–5.30pm Entrance: South side of the square

Access: Chippings on paths may cause difficulties for pushchairs and wheelchairs Nearest stations: Angel, King’s Cross Buses: 63, + 19, 38, 341, + 30, 73, 205, 214, 394, 476 Activities: Display boards on the history of the square and the story of Bethany House, built in ‘Queen Anne’ style for the Society of the Sisters of Bethany in 1881 Lloyd Square Garden: Liz Thornton

Entrance: Opposite Hinde Street, leading from Marylebone High Street Access: One very shallow step at entrance. Gravel paths Nearest stations: Bond Street, Baker Street Bus: Any bus along Oxford Street or Baker Street Activities: Relax on the lawn with your own deckchairs and rugs Contract gardener: Joseph Jones

L14. Manchester Square Gardens W1U 3AB

L15. Mecklenburgh Square

A beautiful Georgian square with a fine collection of trees, shrubs and plants, first laid out between 1776 and 1788. A major replanting programme took place in 2006-8. The square is named after the Duke of Manchester, who – attracted by the good duck shooting in the area – built a house (then called Manchester House) on the north side in 1777. The 2nd Marquess of Hertford acquired the lease in 1797 and it became known as Hertford House. In the 19th century Hertford House was home to Sir Richard Wallace (1818–90), illegitimate son of the 4th Marquess, who displayed much of the Hertford family’s fabulous collection of fine and decorative arts here. In 1897 Lady Wallace left it to the nation as the Wallace Collection. Hertford House today is a rare example of a London town house occupying the whole side of a garden square. A church originally planned for the centre of the square was never built. Open: Sunday: 2–5pm

Named after Queen Charlotte, formerly Princess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the square was designed by Samuel Pepys Cockerell and Joseph Kay for the Foundling Estate in the early 19th century. The grade II-listed two-acre garden was laid out in 1810-12. It remains close to the original design, with fine mature planes and other ornamental trees, formal lawns and gravel paths. One section is devoted to plants from New Zealand, including a number of rarities. A herb garden has been planted, with assistance from the Wellcome Trust. A children’s play area, barbecue area and tennis court cater for the large number of postgraduate students and their families living around the square. Open: Sunday: 12–5pm Entrance: Gate on east side of square Access: Wheelchair accessible Nearest stations: Russell Square, King’s Cross Buses: 17, 45, 46 + 19, 38, 55, 243 Activities: Leaflet describing the garden

WC1N 2AD

Manchester Square Gardens OGSWGuide 2014

Area L: Marylebone + West End + Bloomsbury and celebrating its 200th anniversary available. We hope to offer cream teas, served in a genuine Mongolian yurt that is erected in the garden from time to time. Saturday 14 June, 11am-12:30pm: Val Martin Memorial Bloomsbury Walk: How the Bloomsbury Squares Were Shaped. Pre-booking essential on www.eventbrite.co.uk wbloomsburysquares.wordpress.com/ mecklenburgh-square Gardener: Myriam Sarens

L16. Montagu Square W1H 2LA Montagu Square lies within the Portman Estate and is a fine example of late Georgian architecture. It is the only purely residential square left in Westminster and has a beautiful, tranquil, shady garden. In 1554 Sir William Portman, Lord Chief Justice to Henry VIII, bought the freehold to the manor of Lileston (Lisson). Most of the land was used for farming until the 1750s, when building on the estate expanded rapidly, centred on Portman Square. The square was laid out by the estate’s architect, James Thompson Parkinson around 1800. It was named after Elizabeth Montagu of nearby Montagu House, now demolished. She is remembered for her literary Blue

Stocking Society and the annual May Day party for chimney-climbing boys. Roast beef and plum pudding were served and a shilling given to every boy. Among those who attended this festivity was a young David Porter, who started life as a chimneysweep but grew up to be the builder of Montagu Square. More recently, the residents restored the railings, removed during WW2. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Gate in George Street Nearest stations: Baker Street, Marble Arch Buses: 2, 13, 30, 74, 82, 139, 159, 274 Activities: Tea, coffee and biscuits Contract gardener: Joseph Jones

L17. October Gallery WC1N 3AL Originally St George the Martyr School, built in 1863, October Gallery was founded in 1979 and is dedicated to the appreciation of art from all cultures around the world. The gallery exhibits and promotes art of the transvangarde – or transcultural avant-garde. In the centre of the building is a courtyard with acers, camellias, shrubs and flowers. This provides a delightful setting, reflecting the ethos of the gallery and its artists. The garden is an unexpected refuge in the heart of urban London and another one of Bloomsbury’s best-kept secrets. October Gallery is a self-supporting charitable trust, named after the month in which the gallery was founded, a season associated with ripeness and fruition. Open: Saturday: 12.30–5.30pm Entrance: 24 Old Gloucester Street, through gallery. Access: Two steps up from street but wheelchair ramp is available Nearest stations: Holborn, Russell Square Buses: 55, 68, 91,168, 25,8 Activities: Art gallery. Lunches, tea, coffee and cakes. Tours of the garden and building wwww.octobergallery.co.uk October Gallery Courtyard: Chili Hawes

L18. Park Crescent NW1 4LJ

Park Square

OGSWGuide 2014

Originally planned as a full circus by Regency architect John Nash, only a graceful and elegant semicircle was realised. The Nursemaids’ Tunnel connects Park Crescent with Park Square and has an elegant pavilion concealing a

ventilation shaft for the London Underground. The original railings have been recently restored with the addition of new gates. Park Crescent is dominated by magnificent London planes of a similar age to their counterparts in Park Square. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Through tunnel from Park Square Access: Steep tarmac ramps through tunnel between Park Square and Park Crescent. Gravel paths. Cyclists should not secure their bikes to surrounding railings or lampposts, but can leave them in an allocated area at their own risk Nearest stations: Regent’s Park, Great Portland Street Buses: 18, 27, 30 + C2, 88 Conditions: Small family picnics permitted wwww.cepc.org.uk Head gardener: Kevin Powell

L19. Park Square NW1 4LJ One of the largest of London’s private squares, designed and laid out by John Nash, dominated by plane trees said to have been planted in 1817 to commemorate the allied victory at Waterloo two years earlier. Other trees of note include a tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) and weeping silver lime (Tilia tomentosa ‘Petiolaris’) An original and unique feature of the garden is the Nursemaids’ Tunnel, an early pedestrian underpass connecting the Square to Park Crescent. The tunnel passes under the busy Marylebone Road, allowing families to promenade safely through both gardens without worrying about the noisy public throng passing overhead. The combination of Park Square and Crescent was designed to form a transitional entrance feature to Regent’s Park, leading the visitor from the formal Nash streetscape of Portland Place in the south, to the green and picturesque landscape in the north. It was described as a ‘sort of vestibule’ to the new royal park. New gates and railings have been installed to original designs. The gardens retain most of their original Nash layout and have been managed continuously from their inception by an organisation specifically set-up in 1824 to carry out this task, the Crown Estate Paving Commission. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: 12 Park Square East – Main CEPC Office Gate. Please note: new

Garden listings entrance point Access: Steep tarmac ramps through tunnel between Park Square and Park Crescent. Gravel paths. Cyclists should not secure their bikes to surrounding railings or lampposts, but can leave them in an allocated area at their own risk Nearest stations: Regent’s Park, Great Portland Street Buses: 18, 27, 30 + C2, 88 Activities: Children’s play area Conditions: Small family picnics are permitted wwww.cepc.org.uk Head gardener: Kevin Powell

L20. The Phoenix Garden WC2H 8DE The Phoenix Garden is the best-kept secret of London’s West End. Open daily, it provides a peaceful, green retreat for local residents, workers and tourists all year round and is a haven for a wide range of urban wildlife. Created by local volunteers in 1984 on the site of a former car park, this is the last of the Covent Garden community gardens. The location can be challenging, yet the Phoenix Garden triumphs using ingenuity and innovation to demonstrate what can be achieved upon a bedrock of West End rubble. Plants are chosen to suit the difficult growing conditions and to support as wide a range of wildlife species as possible. This creates an attractive year-round display with echiums towering over vibrant red salvias, clematis scrambling through bramble and golden nettles thrusting through purple elders. A stone’s throw from the West End’s theatres, a surprising range of wildlife makes its home here: five species of bee, various butterflies, many birds (blue and great tit, wren, robin, blackbird, greenfinch, house sparrow, woodpecker, kestrel, sparrowhawk) and the West End’s only frogs. Our award-winning community gardener, Chris Raeburn, continues to introduce innovative methods to create new habitats and improve the garden. Retaining walls have been built from recycled newspapers, while reclaimed bomb rubble from deep below the garden has been used to build gabion dry-stone walls. The newly completed wildlife ponds are an exciting addition to the Phoenix Garden. The Phoenix Garden is a registered charity managed by an enthusiastic team of volunteers and funded from membership subscriptions, donations and grants. Awards include London Green Corners (2007, 2008) and

Regent’s Park Allotment Garden

Camden in Bloom 2003-7 for Best Environmental Garden; Camden in Bloom 2009 Best Community WildlifeFriendly Garden; Highly Commended, London in Bloom 2009; Best CommunityRun Garden, Camden in Bloom 2010; Certificate of Excellence, London in Bloom 2010. Open: Saturday: 10am–6pm, Sunday: 10am–6pm Entrance: St Giles Passage off New Compton Street (signposted from Shaftesbury Avenue / Charing Cross Road). Garden remains open till dusk Access: Refurbished paths are now accessible Nearest stations: Tottenham Court Road, Leicester Square, Covent Garden Buses: 14, 19, 24, 29, 38, 176. Activities: Support the charity by becoming a Friend of the Phoenix. Subscription £12 per year. Members receive a quarterly newsletter and invitations to all garden events Conditions: Please note that, because of building works, only a portion of the garden can be visited this year wwww.thephoenixgarden.org Community gardener: Christopher Raeburn

L21. Portman Square W1H 7BH The first square was developed in the 18th century by Henry William Portman on 200 acres of meadow passed down from a Tudor ancestor. It was immediately popular due to surrounding buildings by Robert Adam and James ‘Athenian’ Stuart. The gardens were laid

out around 1780 as a wilderness and once contained a movable temple, erected by the Turkish ambassador to enjoy the seasons. Today a private garden of one hectare (2.5 acres) is enclosed by a clipped privet hedge, with notable London plane trees and other varied trees and shrubs. There is a children’s play area and a tennis court. The last major rejuvenation of the garden was in 2005. Open: Sunday: 2–5pm Entrance: West side of square Nearest stations: Marble Arch, Bond Street Buses: 2, 13, 30, 74, 82, 113, 139, 189, 274, plus buses in Oxford Street wwww.portmanestate.co.uk Contract gardener: Gavin Jones Group

L22. The Regent’s Park Allotment Garden NW1 4NR The Regent’s Park Allotment Garden has been developed in partnership between Capital Growth, The Royal Parks and Capel Manor to inspire, educate and demonstrate the growing of fruit and vegetables in an urban environment. Capital Growth conducts its urban foodgrowing training programme here. It covers the essential elements of any successful urban food-growing project, including planning, soil management, composting and much more. Training is open to anyone interested in food growing. Many sessions are also run with local schools. The allotment is a wonderful example of a thriving foodgrowing space in the heart of the capital. Open: Saturday: 11am–4pm Entrance: Corner of Chester Road and OGSWGuide 2014

Area L: Marylebone + West End + Bloomsbury path of this long, narrow garden leads alongside a series of miniature lawns interspersed by shrubby borders. The garden has benefited over the years from a planting programme which includes mixed herbaceous borders and a woodland glade area. A new sunny border by Chenies Street is now established and flowering well. At either end of the garden sit ornamental birdbaths frequented by the local avian population. This garden is a rare treasure. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Near Chenies Street end Access: Very narrow path, not suitable for wheelchairs Nearest station: Goodge Street Buses: 10, 24, 29, 73, 134, 390 www.bedfordestates.com Head Gardener: James Gillions Regent’s University London

Inner Circle Nearest stations: Great Portland Street, Baker Street, Regents Park Buses: 18, 27, 30, 205, 453 Activities: Garden tours, seed swapping, plant sale, competitions and children’s activities Conditions: Park toilets are very close wwww.royalparks.org.uk/parks/regents_park/allotment_garden.cfm Co-ordinator: Julie Riehl Cg

L23. Regent’s University London NW1 4NS Regent’s University London sits in 11 acres of Crown Estate land within Regent’s Park. The site has been dedicated to higher education for more than 100 years, and was originally home to the pioneering Bedford College for Women. The grounds are laid out in an informal woodland style at the perimeter, with wide expanses of lawn surrounding ivy-covered buildings. A variety of trees and shrubs includes a number of mature plane trees, one of which is designated a ‘Great Tree of London’. A ‘secret garden’ tucked away behind mature hedges features a sheltered network of paths with roses, seating, a pond and tree ferns. This area was originally the Bedford College botany garden, established in 1909, and used for studying plant classification, diseases and plant breeding. The University continues to encourage biodiversity: garden and food waste from the kitchens is composted, there are beehives within the grounds and the gardens are used for

OGSWGuide 2014

ecological surveys and projects. The University occupies the site of South Villa, one of the original Regent’s Park villas designed by architect John Nash in the early 1800s. Bedford College took a Crown lease on the estate in 1908 and began to develop the site. New buildings, designed by architect Basil Champneys, were opened by Queen Mary in 1913. The Gate Lodge, on the south-east corner of the estate, is the only part of the original Nash design that remains. Open: Sunday: 2–5pm Entrance: Entrance at rear of University. From the Cumberland Gate entrance into Regent’s Park, turn right and cross the footbridge over the lake. Turn right and the garden entrance is on your left Access: A few steps, uneven surfaces and narrow paths, but most parts of the garden are accessible Nearest station: Baker Street Buses: 2, 74, 82, 274 Activities: Gardens guide available Conditions: Opening is subject to bookings for private events. Please check the OGSW website to confirm opening over the weekend wwww.regents.ac.uk Grounds manager: Robin Frew

L24. Ridgmount Gardens WC1E 7AU This residential garden occupies a narrow strip of land opposite the imposing Ridgmount Mansions, a Victorian-era apartment building. Stretching from Chenies Street to Torrington Place, the

L25. Royal College of Physicians’ Medicinal Garden NW1 4LE The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is a registered charity that aims to ensure high-quality care for patients by promoting the highest standards of medical practice. It was founded in 1518 by a charter from Henry VIII. Its present grade I-listed building was designed by Sir Denys Lasdun in 1964 and is an awardwinning museum and venue. The RCP’s garden of medicinal plants has been extensively replanted since 2005. It extends from the North American medicinal plant beds at the front to the eight box parterres in St Andrews Place containing plants used in medicines, as described in the College’s Pharmacopoeia Londinensis of 1618 and immortalised in Culpeper’s Herbal. Around the lawns to the rear of the RCP there are rare medicinal plants from ancient Greece and Rome, Europe, the Middle East, the countries of the southern hemisphere and Asia. The graceful plane tree in the lawn, a descendant of the tree under which Hippocrates taught his medical students on the island of Cos 2,400 years ago, reminds us of our long heritage of plants associated with medicine. The tours are both entertaining and educational: the plants, from which we obtain local anaesthetics, treatments for swine flu, leukaemia, diabetes, cancers, cardiac problems, asthma, scurvy and intestinal worms – as well as narcotics, hallucinogens, ecstasy and more – are endlessly fascinating. See our website for more information and photographs. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday:

Garden listings 10am–5pm Entrance: Main garden at end of St Andrews Place. Access from Outer Circle, NOT Albany St or Peto Place Access: Part of the garden has no path, just sloping lawn. Mostly brick paths. Wheelchair ramps outside Nearest stations: Great Portland Street, Regent’s Park Buses: 18, 27, 30, 88, 205, 453, C2 Car parking: No parking on site. Activities: Conducted garden tours throughout the day. Tea and light refreshments. Explore the RCP’s iconic modernist building, the museum collections of art, silver and medical artefacts and current exhibitions. Family activities. Book about the garden available wwww.rcplondon.ac.uk Head gardener: Jane Knowles

L28. SOAS JapaneseInspired Roof Garden WC1H 0XG

Royal College of Physicians’ Medical Garden

L27. St George’s Gardens WC1N 2NU

L26. Russell Square Gardens WC1B 4JA One of only three London squares designed by Humphry Repton and considered by many to be one of the finest in London. It was originally designed as the centrepiece of the 5th Duke of Bedford’s 1800 development plan for northern Bloomsbury. James Burton created a link between Russell and Bloomsbury Squares in the form of a central axis along Bedford Place. Repton completed this vision by terminating the view in each direction with statues of the Duke of Bedford and Charles James Fox. Although the square has undergone various changes since its original conception, many historic features remain. The fine mature trees do not date back to the original 1804 planting, but they echo the original pattern of Repton’s lime avenues and have been retained. The square is listed grade II by English Heritage. It is protected by the London Squares Preservation Act of 1931 and lies within the important Bloomsbury Conservation Area. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: All four sides Nearest station: Russell Square Buses: 59, 68, 91, 168, 188 Activities: Friends of Russell Square available for information and history. Punch and Judy show, children’s activities, on both days. Archives and picture exhibitions. Guided tours, depending on the weather. Cafeteria with open-air seating wwww.camden.gov.uk/whatson

Originally meadowland, the site was acquired in 1713 to serve as the burial grounds for the new churches of St George, Bloomsbury Way and St George the Martyr, Queen Square. These were the first church burial grounds in London not to be sited next to their churches. The first recorded case of ‘body-snatching’ (the theft of corpses for medical research and teaching) took place here in 1777. Today the gardens are a peaceful retreat. The many large plane trees create shade, while imposing ivy-clad tombs and gravestones may be found throughout the gardens. The site (restored in 2001 by the London Borough of Camden, with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund) now includes a new sensory garden created by the Friends of St George’s Gardens near the Chapel of Rest. 2014 marks the 300th anniversary of the gardens and the 20th anniversary of the Friends group. Open: Saturday: 8am–9pm, Sunday: 8am–9pm Entrance: Handel Street (off Hunter Street), Sidmouth Street or Heathcote Street (both off Gray’s Inn Road) Access: Level access from Sidmouth and Heathcote Streets Nearest station: Russell Square/King’s Cross Buses: 17, 45, 46 Activities: Information leaflets and representatives of the Friends of St George’s available 10am-5pm on both days. Anniversary events throughout the year and over the weekend – see website

w www.friendsofstgeorgesgardens.org.uk

The School of Oriental and African Studies has a small, modern Japanesestyle roof garden, designed by Peter Swift and opened in November 2001 by the donor, Mr Handa. The main features are a karesansui (dry landscape) with rocks, a chequerboard planting of lemon thyme alternating with grey pebbles, an engraved water basin and a raised platform for performances. The garden’s theme is ‘forgiveness’ and it is a space for quiet contemplation and meditation. Open: Saturday: 10.30am–5pm, Sunday: 12–5pm Entrance: Via Brunei Gallery in the north-west corner of Russell Square Access: Wheelchair access via ramp and lift Nearest stations: Russell Square, Euston Square, Goodge Street Buses: 7, 59, 68, 91, 168, 188 wwww.soas.ac.uk/visitors/roofgarden

L29. White Hall Hotel WC1B 5BU The peaceful gem that is the garden of the grade II-listed Grange White Hall Hotel provides an oasis of calm and tranquillity to all those who visit. This sunny green-lawned enclave between the British Museum and Montague Street is the perfect place to while away the hours with a good book over afternoon tea. Visitors to the garden will find a quintessential English garden that has changed little over time. So come and enjoy this quiet haven in the heart of London to discover the rest and rejuvenation that we all seek. Grange White Hall Hotel looks forward to welcoming all guests whether staying with us or just enjoying morning coffee or the pleasures of a summer’s afternoon with a gorgeous cup of tea and tasty cakes and scones. Open: Saturday: 11am–5pm, Sunday: 11am–5pm Entrance: 2-5 Montague Street Access: Stepped access from the conservatory Nearest station: Russell Square Buses: 7, 188 Activities: Afternoon tea (see website for details and prices) wwww.grangehotels.com

OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Central London

City + South Bank Legible London

SO UT B R H WA IDG RK E

PA U L S T R E ET T

MOO

N S T

BANK

LOW

Southwark Cathedral C Cathe ed e d all dra Borough Market

Jerwood Space

K B RI

. T H

LO N D O N L BRIDGE N S T

M10 GE

THE B O RO OUGH D

UNIO

HSBC

ET UNION STRE

Menier e Gallery

Londo o Bridge r City i

Ha Ga

The Shard a AS

Guy’s Hospital

St. George the Martyr

Tabard Borough o

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OGSWGuide 2014

BLACKFRIARS ROAD

MAYOR OF LONDON

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Garden listings

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Pier National rail station Bus station OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Central London

City + South Bank

M1. Bunhill Fields EC1Y 1AU Bunhill Fields is a former Dissenters’ burial ground of four hectares, laid out as a public garden in the 1870s. Today the area is an island of green calm in a highly urban area which has been managed as a public open space by the City of London since 1867. It contains grassland and shrubbery along with fine mature trees which harbour birds and bats. Its value for biodiversity is indicated by its designation as a Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation. The graveyard is well stocked with around 130 trees, including avenues of the London plane, oaks and limes, a golden-barked ash, a black mulberry and a Juneflowering winter bark tree (Drymis winteri) from South America. The trees provide cover for birds including great tit, blue tit, wren, robin and feral and wood pigeons. A pair of spotted flycatchers (a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species) is also reported as breeding on site. The ground flora includes annual meadow grass, greater plantain, perennial rye grass and common chickweed. Flowers include spring beauty (Claytonia perfoliata), white clover, selfheal and procumbent yellow sorrel. Bunhill received Green Flag awards in 2009 and 2010 and was listed grade I in 2011. Open: Saturday: 9.30am–4pm, Sunday: 9.30am–4pm Entrance: City Road, Bunhill Row Nearest station: Old Street Buses: 21, 43, 76, 141, 205, 214, 271 Activities: Treasure hunts for children will be held each day in the garden wwww.cityoflondon.gov.uk/openspaces

M2. Drapers’ Hall Garden EC2N 2DQ The garden behind the hall is a small part of the original garden, purchased by the Drapers’ Company from King Henry VIII in 1543. The Great Garden, as it was called, is now occupied by the modern building known as Drapers’ Gardens. In 1543 rose bushes, gooseberry trees, gourds, strawberries and herbs grew here. A bowling alley, maze and summerhouses added to its attractions. Open to the public, the garden remained a welcome retreat in the smoky City until

OGSWGuide 2014

M3. Fann Street Wildlife Garden EC2Y 8BR

Drapers’ Hall Garden

Throgmorton Avenue was constructed in 1874. The avenue sliced through the east side of the garden, prompting the remainder to be leased to eager property developers. The Great Garden was thus sacrificed to the demands of the commercial City, but the upper garden close to Drapers’ Hall was retained and periodically renovated. The present layout with raised beds and paving dates from 1928, since when the garden has withstood well the disruption caused by neighbouring developments. The tradition of fruit-bearing trees continues with the garden’s five mulberry trees, of which one was planted by HM the Queen in 1955 and another by the Prince of Wales in 1971. The gates, walls and railings, designed by Stephen Dykes Bower, date from the 1970s. Open: Sunday: 10am–3pm Entrance: Copthall Avenue Access: A couple of steps leading up to our garden. People requiring disabled access may be escorted in via our Hall Nearest stations: Bank, Liverpool Street, Moorgate Buses: 100, 153, 214 (westbound) + 11, 76, 133, 141 wwww.thedrapers.co.uk

Fann Street Wildlife Garden is one of the private residents’ gardens on the Barbican Estate and is recognised as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. It is a vital open space that provides a green corridor for wildlife movement in, around, and through the City. The garden, which is mainly funded by Barbican Estate residents, is actively managed on behalf of the Barbican Estate by the Barbican Wildlife Group (BWG) and City Gardens. Our two core objectives are to create a richly diverse wildlife garden by increasing the number of habitats and to increase residents’ enjoyment of their wildlife garden. The garden consists of a wildflower meadow, two bee-and-butterfly friendly gardens (a traditional cottage garden and a sunny, dry garden), a wildlife pond and a number of different wooded areas. The garden also contains a number of insect habitats, plus bird feeders and bird boxes. Our first Twitter account, BarbicanBirds was launched in 2013, which marked the beginning of the RSPB’s and Woodland Trust’s active involvement in helping BWG create long-term plans to enhance the numbers and variety of species visiting the garden. In August 2014 the BWG will be celebrating 10 years of volunteers and City Gardens working to increase the garden’s biodiversity. Volunteers by the end of 2013 in total contributed well over 3000 recorded hours to the garden. For the second year running, London in Bloom awarded this garden a Certificate of Excellence and the City’s Open Spaces department one of its first Gold awards. This garden is open for OGSW by the volunteers on behalf of the Estate Office. Open: Saturday: 10am–4pm, Sunday: 12–4pm Entrance: Fann Street Access: One step into garden. Path made from mulch/woodchip – difficult for wheelchair users Nearest station: Barbican Buses: 4, 56, 153 Activities: Sale of wildlife-friendly plants wwww.cityoflondon.gov.uk/citygardens Team Leader/Barbican Wildlife Group volunteer: Alex Piddington-Bishop / Paula Tomlinson

Garden listings

M4. Gray’s Inn WC1R 5ET The gardens of Gray’s Inn are known as the Walks. It was Sir Francis Bacon (15611626) who laid them out in 1606 when he was Treasurer at Gray’s Inn. The main feature of the gardens is a broad gravelled path between an avenue of young red oak trees and mature London planes. The Indian bean trees (Catalpa bignonioides) at the end of the Walks, now bowed with age and supported by crutches, grew from slips which were brought back from Virginia in America by Sir Walter Raleigh and planted by Bacon. The Walks have always been a popular promenade and were fashionable throughout the 17th century. Open: Sunday: 2–5pm Entrance: High Holborn, next to the Citie of York pub. Nearest station: Chancery Lane Buses: 8, 242, 25, 521 wwww.graysinn.org.uk Head gardener: Jason Reid

M5. Inner Temple Garden EC4Y 7HL The Inner Temple Garden is a surprising oasis of peace in the centre of the City, occupying a three-acre site within the historic precincts of the Temple. There has been a garden here since the 12th century and there is a legend that the Wars of the Roses began after an encounter here. A deep herbaceous border flanks the 18th-century gates at

the main entrance, renowned for the use of succession planting and innovative colour combinations. In early summer this border is luminous with a variety of alliums, inter-planted with delicate forms of aquilegia amidst the developing foliage of salvias, asters, heleniums, geraniums, grasses and dahlias, which supply a tapestry of colour until the onset of winter. Other notable features include a peony garden, a brass Queen Anne sundial, a statue by van Ost, a pond area, a broad walk lined with mature plane trees along the Embankment boundary, tranquil woodland plantings and a constantly refreshed pot display. The 12th-century Temple Church lies within the boundaries of the Inn, the prize-winning garden of the Master’s House on its eastern boundary. As well as notable lawyers and politicians, many men of letters have lived here, including Charles Lamb, Oliver Goldsmith, Charles Dickens and Samuel Johnson. the courtyards of the Temple are adjacent, where barristers have their chambers and smaller pockets of greenery and plantings can be found. Open: Sunday: 12–5pm Entrance: Crown Office Row, via Tudor Street security gate Access: The entire garden can be accessed via a level path although there are a couple of slight inclines and one narrow section of flagstone path Nearest stations: Blackfriars, Temple Buses: 388 + 4, 11, 15, 23, 26, 76, 172, 341

Conditions: Professional photography by prior arrangement wwww.innertemple.org.uk Head gardener: Andrea Brunsendorf

M6. Lincoln’s Inn Gardens WC2A 3TL Lincoln’s Inn was founded in or before 1422. Its magnificent lawns and trees make up six separate gardens, comprising the North Lawn, Benchers’ Lawn, New Square, Gatehouse Court, Kitchen Garden and Stone Buildings. Heritage London planes and mulberries stand alongside two recently remodelled herbaceous borders. The only British prime minister to be assassinated, Spencer Percival (1762– 1812), lived at 59-60 Lincoln’s Inn Fields. He was one of 16 prime ministers to be a member of Lincoln’s Inn. Others include Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair. A modern fountain, designed by William Pye, was constructed on the New Square lawn in 2004. Open: Sunday: 12–5pm Entrance: Southeast corner of Lincoln’s Inn Fields Nearest station: Holborn Buses: 1, 8, 25, 59, 68, 91, 168, 171, 188, 242, 243 wwww.lincolnsinn.org.uk Head gardener: Miranda Kimberley

Inner Temple Garden OGSWGuide 2014

Area M: City + South Bank enabling the chefs to pick fresh vegetables daily for client dining. The surplus is offered for sale to staff, with profits donated to charity. Last year, this well maintained and productive organic garden won the coveted Masters’ Trophy in the ‘Flowers in the City’ competition, presented by the Lady Mayoress at the Mansion House. The kitchen garden also featured on the BBC television show Great British Garden Revival, hosted by chef and gardener James Wong, who spent the day filming on the roof terrace. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: 1 Angel Lane Nearest station: Monument Buses: 15, 21, 35, 40, 43, 47, 48, 133, 141, 149, 344 wwww.nomura.com Gardeners: Tony, Matt (ISS Landcapes) Eileen, Linda and Tessa (volunteers)

Nomura International PLC

M7. Middle Temple EC4Y 9AT The garden of the Middle Temple was traditionally the scene of the plucking of the red rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York, as told by Shakespeare in Henry VI. In 1602 the first presentation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night was held in Middle Temple Hall. Today, Shakespeare’s connection lives on, with Rosa ‘William Shakespeare’ planted in the main terrace. The main garden features a modern interpretation of the formal bedding scheme. Mixed shrubs and roses share the space with a changing display of herbaceous and tender annuals – this year salvia and penstemon. Elsewhere there is a shady bed under a mature magnolia, a walkway of lavenders and fragrant pedestal roses. Around the Temple there are intimate and quiet courtyards. Elm Court is a herbaceous garden in full sun, in contrast with the dappled shade of Fountain Court, which has majestic mature mulberry trees and is mentioned in Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens. Open: Sunday: 12–5pm Entrance: Gate on Temple Place (near to Temple Tube). Also through Tudor Street. No entry via Fleet Street or the Embankment Access: Some of the garden is accessible to wheelchairs, although paths are loose gravel. The raised section at the north end of the garden can only be reached by steps Nearest stations: Temple, Blackfriars Buses: 4, 11, 15, 23, 26, 76, 172, 341, 388 Activities: Head gardener present and will be giving tours through the day.

OGSWGuide 2014

Refreshments available and some plants from the garden will be on sale wwww.middletemplehall.org.uk Head gardener: Kate Jenrick

M8. Nomura International PLC EC4R 3AB No.1 Angel Lane (formerly Watermark Place) is an architecturally distinguished 525,000 sq.ft. development occupying the largest area of open riverside space in the City of London. It forms the focal point of the new business district connecting the river and the heart of the City. The sixth-floor terrace – the size of eight tennis courts – has unobstructed, panoramic views of the river Thames. It is open to staff and clients to eat al fresco during the summer months while enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the gardens, its water features and London’s breathtaking scenery. The formal gardens are planned and maintained by Tony and Matt of ISS Facilities Landscaping. With over 50 years’ experience between them, the hedges, shrubs, herbaceous plants, ferns, herbs and grasses – as well as the lawns – are kept in pristine condition for employees and visitors to enjoy. The kitchen garden measures 56ft by 20ft. Managed voluntarily by the switchboard team of Eileen, Linda and Tessa, it was cleared to make 12 vegetable beds. The team designed and drew up a growing plan, the seeds started off from home and the garden came alive! Now in its third year with about 25 different varieties of vegetables and edible flowers, the garden provides an array of produce,

M9. Postman’s Park EC1A 4AS This small park in the City of London was formed from the churchyards of St Leonard, Foster Lane and St Botolph, Aldersgate, and the graveyard of Christ Church, Newgate Street. The park derived its name from its popularity as a lunchtime garden with workers from the nearby Old Post Office. The park was laid out as a public garden in 1880. The Watts Memorial, a touching wall of tablets by the artist G.F. Watts, records the heroic deeds of ordinary men, women and children who lost their lives to save others. It was erected to mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887. The hand-lettered tiles are by Doulton, the ceramic makers. Open: Saturday: 8am–7pm, Sunday: 8am–7pm Entrance: St Martin’s le Grand, Aldersgate Street, King Edward Street Access: Wheelchair access from King Edward Street only Nearest stations: St Paul’s, Barbican Buses: 4, 8, 25, 56, 100, 172, 242 Activities: Plant sale on Saturday wwww.cityoflondon.gov.uk/openspaces

M10. Red Cross Garden SE1 1HA This small but delightful garden was originally laid out in 1887 on the site of a derelict paper factory by Octavia Hill, the Victorian philanthropist and co-founder of the National Trust as ‘an open-air sitting-room’ for the people of Southwark. In its heyday it was the scene of the annual Southwark flower show

Garden listings and many concerts and fêtes.Bankside Open Spaces Trust (BOST) worked with many supporters to restore the original layout of this delightful Victorian garden. The project included the re-creation of the pond with bridge and fountain, new flowerbeds, lawns and benches, and a small information centre and gardener’s office. The garden is laid out in front of Octavia Hill’s model dwellings and community hall (private), both integral to her vision for the local community. The garden won a Outstanding in London in Bloom 2013, a Green Flag Community Award 2011-12 as well as National Certificate of Distinction in the RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood London In Bloom 2013. This year BOST also received the UK ‘Man and the Biosphere’ Urban Wildlife Award for Excellence 2013, which is a UNESCO programme. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: From Redcross Way Nearest stations: London Bridge, Borough Buses: 21, 35, 40, 133, 343, 344, C10 Activities: Meet the gardener, Saturday 2pm-4.30pm wwww.bost.org.uk Community gardener: Dumisani Nyathi

M11. St Joseph’s Garden EC1Y 8LE The purpose of this garden is manifold. It is an extension into the neighbourhood of the almost invisible basement Church of St Joseph. It is a patch of vegetation in an otherwise built-up environment. It is a haven for birds. It is a small space where people may pause and be refreshed. The garden is a modest tribute to a very great Christian, the late Cardinal Basil Hume (1923–99), Archbishop of Westminster, monk and shepherd, whose life of prayer and service to the Gospel was an inspiration to so many. The garden was designed by young landscape gardener Simon-Peter Stobart, whose influences included Japanese design and one of the themes from the ‘Song of Songs’ in the Bible – an enclosed garden in which the Beloved might be encountered and experienced. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Lamb’s Passage, Bunhill Row, EC1 (next to the Cass Business School of City University in Bunhill Row) Nearest stations: Old Street, Moorgate, Barbican Buses: 55, 243, 43, 205 wwww.rcdow.org.uk/bunhillrow

M12. Sir John Cass’s Foundation Primary School EC3A 5DE Containerised roof garden, with a 10’ x 8’ refurbished greenhouse and a bamboostructure seating area. The children get pleasure in being able to grow vegetables and plants. The vegetables are taken to the kitchen for preparation and cooking for lunch. The school uses the garden throughout the year in a variety of ways apart from horticulture. Some of the school curriculum takes place using the roof garden, with activities including after-school clubs, reading, science, bird watching, art and drawing. Open: Saturday: 10.30am–5pm, Sunday: 10.30am–4pm Entrance: St James’ Passage, off Duke’s Place Access: Access by stairs only, there is no lift to the garden Nearest stations: Bank, Aldgate Buses: 25, 100, 205 Activities: Refreshments. Connect 4 game for adults wwww.sirjohncassprimary.org

M13. Styles House SE1 8DF Styles House allotment has been developed on a piece of derelict Transport for London land next to Southwark Tube station. With funding from Capital Growth and Southwark Council, residents have built raised beds for food growing. Our extensive main garden has been a silver and gold award winner in Southwark in Bloom for several years. It was named as ‘outstanding’ in the RHS ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ competition (part of the Waterloo region) – all achieved on a shoestring budget by amateur gardeners. Our new summer garden was built using money raised by residents from a variety of sources and has finally provided a permanent home for our goldfish!We also have some creative residents who will be selling handmade greetings cards, the profits of which will be spent on the garden. Open: Saturday: 12–5pm, Sunday: 12– 5pm Entrance: First gates on the right along Hatfields, off The Cut, nearly opposite Southwark College. Access: Up one small step and across some grass for the main garden, up one small step and across a rough surface in the allotment. Not impossible for wheelchair users; should be fine for pushchairs.There will be plenty of

Tate Community Garden

residents happy to assist Nearest stations: Southwark, Waterloo Buses: 45, 63, 100, RV1 Activities: Refreshments – indoor and outdoor. Public toilet. Handmade cards for sale. Clean, secure dog playground which visitors are welcome to use wwww.styleshouse.org.uk Resident volunteer: Karen Illingworth Cg

M14. Community Garden at Tate Modern SE1 9TG A gated community garden with pond and wildflowers, which opened in 2006 and is run in partnership by Tate Modern and the green community charity Bankside Open Spaces Trust. The garden is enjoyed by local residents, including schoolchildren, who take part in events including planting days, pond-dipping, wildlife-spotting, events and gardening clubs. Local people can meet, dig, have fun and take pleasure in flowers, plants and animals, in what is otherwise a busy tourist thoroughfare. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm Entrance: A gated garden on the front lawned area of Tate Modern on the east side Nearest stations: London Bridge, Southwark Buses: RV1, 381 wwww.tate.org.uk/modern/ building/garden Community garden facilitator: Peter Graal

OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

City gardens visited on guided walks See pages 7-9 for details of the guided walks. These gardens are generally open and worth visiting if you are nearby 8am–7pm Entrance: Queen Victoria Street Access: The lower levels can be reached only by steps or from Huggin Hill (steep slope) Nearest station: Mansion House Buses: 4, 11, 15, 17, 23, 26, 76, 100, 172, 388 wwww.cityoflondon.gov.uk/openspaces

M17. St Dunstan’s in the East EC3R 5DD

Christchurch Greyfriars Rose Garden

M15. Christchurch Greyfriars Rose Garden EC1A 7BA In the Middle Ages this was the site of a Franciscan monastery and today’s garden is on the site of the Franciscan Church of Greyfriars (1225). Following the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII, it was converted for use as a parish church. In 1429 Richard Whittington, Lord Mayor, founded a library here. Numerous well-known people, including four queens, were buried in the old church, which was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. A new church, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, was built between 1687 and 1704. The body of the Wren church was gutted by fire in 1940 during WW2 and only the west tower remains. A major overhaul of the gardens took place in 2011, when the garden was stripped of all its planting. Major soil improvements were carried out, along with some hard-landscaping improvements. A new planting design was implemented to reflect current trends in garden planting and increase biodiversity. The garden now features heavily planted herbaceous borders with a variety of modern repeat-flowering shrub roses and climbers contained within low, clipped box hedging. The concept, although based on traditional herbaceous planting, incorporates a more modern interpretation within the planting palette.

OGSWGuide 2014

The colour scheme of mainly blue, purple and white, has shots of deep crimson, silver and lime to bring it to life. The wooden towers within the planting, which replicate the original church towers, house a variety of discreet bird boxes to encourage the bird population and host a variety of climbing plants. Open: Saturday: 9am–8pm, Sunday: 9am–8pm Entrance: King Edward Street Nearest station: St Paul’s Buses: 4, 8, 25, 56, 100, 172, 242 wwww.cityoflondon.gov.uk/openspaces

Opened by the City of London in 1971, St Dunstan’s in the East is claimed to be the most beautiful public garden in the City. An imaginative planting scheme of unusual trees, wall shrubs and flowers grows amongst the ruined arches. Climbers cover the tracery, creating a scene of romance and peace. Set within a grade II-listed ruined Victorian wall, the site now forms part of the parish of nearby All Hallows by the Tower. Most of the church was destroyed in WW2, although the Wren tower and steeple survived. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: St Dunstan’s Hill, off Lower Thames Street Access: Steps, uneven surfaces, narrow paths Nearest station: Bank Buses: 15, 42, 78, 100, RV1, N15 wwww.ahbtt.org.uk

M16. Cleary Garden EC4V 4HQ Nestled in the heart of the City, the area originally housed Roman baths before vintners used the site for trading and growing vines in the Middle Ages. Today the garden has two terraces leading down to an intimate lawn – a haven for office workers and visitors escaping the City’s bustling crowds. The garden is named after Fred Cleary (1905-1984), a great campaigner for increasing the City’s open spaces. In 2007 it underwent a major redevelopment as the Loire Valley Wines Legacy Garden, with vines and aromatic plants to evoke the flavours and bouquet of wines from the Loire region. Open: Saturday: 8am–7pm, Sunday:

Cleary Garden

Garden listings

M18. St Mary Aldermanbury EC2V 7HP Mainly populated by lunching City workers, this garden is planted with shrubs and trees and has twice-yearly bedding plant changes. It features a majestic bust of William Shakespeare. Also commemorated in the gardens are fellow actors John Hemynge and Henry Condell, to whom we owe the printing of the First Folio of Shakespeare’s work. Open: Saturday: 8am–8pm, Sunday: 8am–8pm Entrance: Aldermanbury / Love Lane Nearest station: Moorgate Bus: 100 Conditions: Opening times vary wwww.cityoflondon.gov.uk/openspaces

M19. St Paul’s Cathedral Churchyard EC4M 9AB The present cathedral is the fifth on the site. The first was erected in AD604 by St Ethelbert. In 1712 completion of Sir Christopher Wren’s cathedral was marked by a statue of Queen Anne (the current statue is a marble copy of the original). Remains of the earlier chapter house cloister are still visible in gardens to the south of the cathedral nave, where trees include mature plane, ginkgo, maple, lime, ash, mulberry and eucalyptus. The north side of the garden is home to some of the oldest London plane trees in the City as well as the City’s only giant fir tree. At the south gate is a beautiful rose garden. Wren’s Church of St Augustine was destroyed in 1941, but the remaining tower was restored and incorporated into St Paul’s Choir School. If you leave the churchyard gardens through the south exit and walk towards the river, you will come across the area formerly known and used as the coach park for St Paul’s Cathedral. This area has recently undergone major enhancement works, turning it from a parking area to a large public garden. The new garden, named the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Garden, was opened in April 2012. It reflects and mirrors the design around the Carter Lane Gardens and Information Centre. The garden offers an enormous increase in accessible green space, with 378sqm of lawn, some 3,000 herbaceous plants, 184 linear metres of clipped box hedging, flowering street trees and multi-stemmed garden trees. Sculpture within the garden brings a new element to one of the most visited areas in the Square Mile. A drinking fountain is incorporated in the design, following the success of previous drinking

fountains in other gardens. The garden also features granite benches, modern wooden seating, improved and discreet lighting and a fully automated irrigation system. Open: Saturday: 8am–8pm, Sunday: 8am–8pm Entrance: Northeast, northwest and south sides of churchyard Nearest station: St Paul’s Buses: 4, 11, 15, 25, 23, 26, 100, 242 wwww.cityoflondon.gov.uk/openspaces

M20. West Smithfield Garden EC1A 9BD In the Middle Ages this was a plain, grassy space just outside the City walls, known as Smooth Field, where fine horses were sold. A cattle market was established in 1638 and remained until 1855, when it was moved to Islington. Smithfield was a place of public execution for over 400 years. Here heretics, rebels and criminals were burnt, beheaded or boiled. In 1305

Scottish hero William Wallace was hanged, drawn and quartered after being dragged to the site by a horse. In 1381 Wat Tyler, leader of the Peasants’ Revolt, gathered his army in Smithfield and was stabbed by the Mayor of London. The injured Tyler was taken to the hospital at St Bartholomew’s Church, but dragged out again and beheaded. The gallows were moved to Tyburn in the 15th century but Smithfield continued to be used for executing religious martyrs. This reached a peak when more than 200 Protestants were burnt at the stake during Queen Mary’s reign in the 1550s. Today the area is a peaceful, hidden corner of London – but one with a terrible past. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: North of garden on West Smithfield facing market Access: High kerbs Nearest stations: Farringdon, Barbican Buses: 56 + 8, 25, 45, 63, 242 wwww.cityoflondon.gov.uk/openspaces

St Paul’s Catherdral Churchyard OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Central London

Kensington + Brompton + Chelsea Legible London GAR

10 mins

Holland Park

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Chelsea h Old Church

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Chelsea & Westminster Hospital

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Fulham Broadway

MAYOR OF LONDON

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WEST B RO M P T TO ON Fulham Broadway Shopping Centre

Royal Brompton Hospital

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p Brompton Cemetery

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Exhibition n Centre

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Victoria & Albert Museum

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B AT T E R S E A PA R K © Transport for London Based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery OfÀce © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. TfL Licence Number LA100032379 2014

F Transport for London

C E C N1 Bina Gardens East C3 E C N2 Bramham Gardens C3 C E N3 Carlyle’s House E4 C BA N4 Collingham Gardens C3 C D A N5 Cornwall Gardens C2 F B C D N6 &RXUWÀHOG *DUGHQV :HVW

C2 A FB N7 Earl’s Court Square B3 D C A N8 Edwardes Square A2 A FC D N9 Ennismore Gardens D1 D C A F N10 Gardening Leave, Royal Hospital Chelsea F3 D C N11 Gledhow Gardens C3 B A C N12 Hereford Square C2 D B A N13 Holland House Garden A1 B D N14 The Ismaili Centre Roof Garden D2 B D E N15 Kensington Square B1 B D N16 21 K+K Hotel George B2 E B N17 Lexham Gardens B2 D EB C N18 Markham Square E3 B D B N19 Wildlife Garden at Nat. History Museum D2 C B N20 Nevern Square B3 E B C N21 Queen’s Gate Gardens C2 E BF N22 The Roof Gardens B1 E FE1 N23 Rutland Gate South Garden D E N24 Sunningdale Gardens B2 FC N25 Thrive Battersea - Main Garden E4 C N26 Thrive Battersea - Herb Garden F4 N27 Thrive Battersea - Old English Garden E4 C N28 Thurloe Square D2 O1 C N29 &RXUWÀHOG *DUGHQV (DVW

C2 O2

Belgrave Square

Cadogan Place Gardens

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Cadogan Square Gardens Eaton Square

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O MaRoCoCo Garden at Rococo Chocolates F1

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Open Days

4 Open Saturday & Sunday Open Sunday only

Open Saturday only

Please check individual listings for opening times.

Key Underground station

Overground station

Pier

National rail station OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Central London

Kensington + Brompton + Chelsea

N1. Bina Gardens East SW7 4NH Nicknamed ‘the Secret Garden’, this award-winning small, rectangular garden is tucked away between Rosary Gardens and Bina Gardens. It was originally laid out in the 1880s as a formal garden by the Gunter Estate and has many unusual mature trees and shrubs, enhanced by summer planting and complementary sculptures. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Through Dove Mews off the Old Brompton Road Nearest station: Gloucester Road Buses: C1, 430 Activities: Small plant stall and refreshments Gardener: Lisa Simmonds

N2. Bramham Gardens SW5 0HF Bramham Gardens is a large, tranquil one-acre lawned garden established in the late 1800s. It boasts some of the tallest plane trees in any London square. It is flanked by pink red-brick Victorian houses and terracotta houses in DutchGothic style by architect Harold Peto. Like many of the surrounding streets, Bramham Gardens derives its name from the Yorkshire connections of the local landowners, the Gunter family. In recent years there has been much new planting.

Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: West side Access: One step up into garden Nearest station: Earl’s Court Buses: C1, 430 + C3, 74, 328 southbound Gardener: Garden Associates

N3. Carlyle’s House SW3 5HL A peaceful walled garden in the heart of Old Chelsea. The Victorian writer Thomas Carlyle and his wife, Jane, rented this house for nearly 50 years. Carlyle’s House opened as a museum in 1895 and is now owned by the National Trust. Laid out when Chelsea was still a riverside village, the garden at Cheyne Row was a typical town garden, with an oblong patch surrounded by high brick walls to the east of the house. From the back door, three steps led to a yard paved with flagstones, from which one step led up to a gravel path, bordered with box. The path branched to the left between the flowerbeds, and led to the earth closet, a square brick building almost hidden in summer by lilac bushes and fruit trees. In 1843 Jane complained that Carlyle never dreamed of lying in the shade of his own walnut tree: “It is a tree! Leaves as green as any leaves can be!” Carlyle walked and sat in the garden. “It was,” he said, “of admirable comfort in the smoking way.” Come and see the garden that was theirs for nearly 50 years. Open: Saturday: 11am–4.30pm Entrance: 24 Cheyne Row, through house Access: Too narrow for wheelchairs Nearest stations: South Kensington, Sloane Square Buses: 11, 19, 22, 49, 170 wwww.nationaltrust.org.uk/carlyleshouse Gardeners: Linda Chinnery and Linda Skippings

N4. Collingham Gardens SW5 0HW

Collingham Gardens

OGSWGuide 2014

These award-winning gardens were named after the village of Collingham in the West Riding of Yorkshire, the family home of local landowner Captain Robert Gunter in the 19th century. The grade II*listed houses were designed by architects

Ernest George and Harold Peto in the 1880s, and represent the high point of late Victorian individualism. They surround communal gardens created by Peto, also a leading Edwardian landscape designer. Exceptionally, the gardens’ overall layout survives and has not been altered since it was first conceived by Peto. The gardens are laid out in a simple, symmetrical style with wide lawns and curving gravel paths. The central circular lawn is framed by shrub beds, each with its own Japanese cherry tree, producing magnificent springtime blossom displays. The gardens feature Peto’s hallmark naturalistic placement of large trees, as if in a woodland predating the existence of all buildings. The distinctive rear elevations of each house create a community which appears to have organically developed over time. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Collingham Gardens gate Nearest stations: Gloucester Road, Earl’s Court Buses: C1, 430 + 74, 328, C3 (southbound) Gardener: Hamish Crawford, Joseph Jones and Partners in collaboration with the CGGC Gardening Officer

N5. Cornwall Gardens SW7 4AW Cornwall Gardens was developed from 1866 to 1879 on a block of land belonging to the Broadwood family, the famous piano makers.The garden is in three sections. The magnificent plane trees, planted in 1870, are among the tallest in London and, with several other species, contribute to the tranquil atmosphere of a woodland garden. An irrigation system has allowed the lawns and flowering shrubs to flourish and made further planting possible. Most of the railings were lost in WW2, but privet hedges now add to the cosy, secluded feel. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Central section (west of Grenville Place) Nearest station: Gloucester Road Buses: 49, 74 Gardener: David Ashton, One Two Tree

Garden listings Buses: C1, C3, 74, 328, 430 Activities: Live music on both afternoons. Light refreshments available. National Trust stand and activities wwww.ecsgarden.org.uk Gardener: Victor Smith

N6. Courtfield Gardens (West) SW5 0PD A tranquil and shady mid-Victorian square with mixed shrubs and ornamental trees. The square, built around 1893, is dominated by a huge plane tree more than 200 years old. Like Courtfield Gardens (East), this square takes its name from the Court Fields around Earls Court Manor House, which stood nearby. Replacement of the wirenetting fence with metal railings was completed in 2008. A new irrigation system was installed in 2010. This enabled a new planting scheme to be embarked upon in 2011, which included the introduction of a tropical/Mediterranean bed. A Victorian gazebo and arbour were added to the garden in 2012, providing residents with shelter in inclement weather. But the most satisfying project so far has been the creation of a wildlife garden and pond. The area has been enclosed by mixed country hedging. Spring 2014 will see the introduction of frogspawn to the pond and a professionally maintained beehive. The presence of amphibians and honey bees will enrich the varieties of species the wildlife area has attracted since its creation. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Opposite no. 19 Access: Mostly flat gravel paths, lawn and some woodchip paths Nearest stations: Gloucester Road, Earl’s Court Buses: C1, 430 + C3, 74, 328 southbound wwww.courtfieldgardens.net Contract gardener: Robert Player

N7. Earls Court Square SW5 9DG This award-winning Victorian garden was laid out as part of the Edwardes Estate in the 1870s, and was well managed with an almost full-time gardener until 1939. In WW2 the handsome cast-iron railings were taken away and five huge emergency water tanks filled the southern half of the garden. By the early 1970s the garden had become overgrown, used as a dump and surrounded by green wire netting. In the mid-1970s the newly formed residents’ association brought the garden under the provisions of the 1851 Kensington Improvement Act. Landscape gardener and resident Christopher Fair designed the present layout. The children’s play area was added in 1980. The established London plane trees have now grown to dominate the square. One

N8. Edwardes Square W8 6HL

Ennismore Gardens

on the south side was blown down in the 1987 gale. The garden has been maintained and improved over the past 30 years, and in the past has won first prize in the Brighter Kensington & Chelsea Scheme competition. Since last year the north-east corner of the garden has been cut back and replanted with the help and guidance of Charles Wood and Eyre Sykes. New roses and fruit trees have been planted to remember former residents of the square and we look forward to the first flowering of the Diamond Jubilee Rose, planted to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. The garden hosts many neighbourhood social events, including a very popular annual summer barbecue, a Christmas-tree-lighting party and soirées musicales in spring and summer. The rather grand stucco-fronted terraces in the late Italianate style on three sides of the square are complemented by the grade II*-listed Flemish-style red-brick houses on the south side. In the early 1970s part of the square was in danger of being torn down and replaced with high-density housing, but was instead designated a conservation area. The last 20 years have seen the conversion of the remaining hotels into high-quality flats. Dame Ninette de Valois, founder of the Royal Ballet, spent her early years at no. 23 and ran dancing classes in the first-floor ballroom. Choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton also lived in the square as a young man at around the same time. Mr Frank Gielgud lived at no. 36, where his son, actor Sir John Gielgud, was very possibly conceived before the family moved in 1904. In 1963 no. 21 became the home of the National Poetry Society and most of the famous poets of the day read their works in the salon. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: South side of square; wheelchairs via north gate Nearest station: Earl’s Court

One of London’s loveliest garden squares. A beautiful three-acre garden with meandering paths through shrubberies, lawns, flowerbeds, rose pergola, croquet lawn, grass tennis court and a children’s play area. The square was built between 1811 and 1819. By 1820 the garden was laid out much as we see it today. With guidance from the Royal Horticultural Society, it was designed by Signor Agostino Aglio, an Italian artist, who planned the plantings and winding walks in a manner different from most other squares. A Grecian-style lodge with Doric columns was built for the gardener. Known as ‘The Temple’, it is still the residence of the square’s head gardener. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: South side, next to The Temple Access: Good wheelchair access and pathways Nearest stations: High Street Kensington, Earl’s Court Buses: C1, 9, 10, 27, 28, 49, 328 Activities: Refreshments: cakes, sandwiches and Pimms Conditions: No picnics Head gardener: David Magson

N9. Ennismore Gardens SW7 1AJ This beautiful, award-winning Victorian garden was first planted in 1870, when it formed part of the gardens and paddocks of Kingston House, which stretched the length of Prince’s Gate. The garden, named after William Hare, Viscount Ennismore and Earl of Listowel, has been extensively developed and restored over the past 20 years. An ornamental urn commemorates the actress Ava Gardner, who lived in Ennismore Gardens for many years. In 2012 Ennismore won a London Gardens Society Highly Commended certificate in the ‘large private squares’ category. Don’t miss Rutland Gate South Garden, just around the corner. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: On east side Nearest station: Knightsbridge and South Kensington Buses: C1, 9, 10, 14, 52, 74, 414, 452 Car parking: Respark in operation. OGSWGuide 2014

Area N: Kensington + Brompton + Chelsea Gardening Leave garden is located in Green Square, in the lee of the new Margaret Thatcher Infirmary. Open: Saturday: 10am–4pm, Sunday: 10am–4pm Entrance: London Gate entrance to Royal Hospital, follow Gardening Leave signs Nearest stations: Victoria/Knightsbridge, thence bus Sloane Square Tube Buses: 11, 19, 22, 137, 170, 211, 319, 360, 452 wwww.gardeningleave.org Horticultural therapist: Franziska Stovell

Gardening Leave

Visitors’ parking available on pay-byphone spaces and single yellow lines (check at the time) Conditions: Dogs, other than working assistance dogs, must be left at the gate. Water provided Contract gardener: Robert Player

N10. Gardening Leave, Royal Hospital Chelsea SW3 4SR This garden in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea is a haven for veterans and serving personnel who come to Gardening Leave for horticultural therapy. Gardening Leave opened in autumn 2010 and is run by horticultural therapist Franziska Stovell. Veterans referred to the project are working with staff and volunteers to make a garden where they will grow vegetables for the Margaret Thatcher Infirmary at Royal Hospital Chelsea, and cut-flowers for the Chapel and State Apartments. The garden’s layout is similar to other Gardening Leave sites, with a quiet area, a poppy bed, raised beds for the less mobile, plenty of seating and many different ways of growing vegetables in containers, which the veterans can then take home. Many of the veterans who come to Gardening Leave suffer from hyper-vigilance – living on their nerves, looking over their shoulders – so the privacy of the garden here, a haven of peace and safety in central London, offers significant therapeutic benefit and helps to reduce the social isolation which many encounter in ‘civvy street’. Gardening Leave also has an ‘outreach’ garden in East Acton, located to assist ease of access for our veterans. The

OGSWGuide 2014

N11. Gledhow Gardens SW5 0AY The gardens here are named after the family home of Miss Jane Benyon of Gledhow Hall in Yorkshire, who married landowner Captain Robert Gunter in the 19th century. The area was originally filled with market gardens and there was once a thriving village located between Gledhow and Bina Gardens. The site was developed by James Gunter, who founded a property empire on the proceeds of his celebrated bakery business. Gunter’s first purchase was Earls Court Lodge, known as CurrantJelly Hall. Eventually he purchased most of the land as far as Redcliffe Gardens and developed it as rented houses for the London season. The communal garden here was formed by the Gunter Estate management, which joined the originally separate back gardens of the surrounding Victorian villas together. The clean microclimate has nourished some of the oldest and healthiest trees in London. There is a range of interesting wildlife, including a variety of rare bird species. We keep the gardens as organic and pesticide-free as possible. Thanks to the generosity of Dr Robert Ker, the gardens now belong to the residents. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: East side of garden Access: Only the single gate on the Gledhow Gardens side, off the Old Brompton Road (red brick houses side of Gledhow) is open for access Nearest station: Gloucester Road. Earl’s Court. South Kensington Buses: C1, 430 wwww.gledhowgardens.org.uk Gardener: Robert Player of Garden Associates

N12. Hereford Square SW7 4TS Hereford Square was built by the architect Thomas Holmes between 1845 and 1850. The garden with its iron railings was completed in 1848 at a cost of £1,300. The square has retained its charm and the garden is full of trees and flowering shrubs, with very pleasant walks. Sir James Barrie, author of Peter Pan lived at 133 Gloucester Road on the east side of the square. Rumour has it that Peter flew in through the first-floor window to take the children to Never-Never Land. While the houses on the north side are intact, those on the west have been restored. The south side was destroyed by bombs in WW2, during which the garden was used as a baseball ground by American soldiers. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: West side of square Nearest stations: Gloucester Road, South Kensington Buses: C1, 49, 430 Activities: Visitors are given a historical introduction to the square and garden notes. Gardener: Neville Capil

N13. Holland House Garden W8 7QU The original Holland House was a Jacobean mansion, built in 1607 for Sir Walter Cope, James I’s Chancellor of the Exchequer. In the 18th century it was owned by Charles James Fox, who became leader of the Whig party. In the early 19th century, Lady Holland held a salon here, attended by such famous names as Richard Sheridan, Sir Walter Scott, Lord Byron, William Wordsworth and Charles Dickens. During WW2 the house was bombed and destroyed by fire. Afterwards the remains of one wing were repaired. With new buildings designed by Sir Hugh Casson and Neville Condor, this now forms the King George VI Memorial Youth Hostel. It was officially opened by HM the Queen on 25 May 1959. The garden is laid mainly to lawn, surrounded by beds containing shrubs and perennial plants with some annuals for additional colour. There is a large, well-stocked pond in front of the old Holland House, visited by mallards, moorhens, herons and Holland Park’s peacocks. Open: Sunday: 9am–5pm Entrance: Duchess of Bedford’s Walk gate to Holland Park on Holland Walk, Holland House is about 50m from the gate to the right when entering the park Access: Entrance to the garden down a flight of seven steps

Garden listings Nearest stations: High Street Kensington, Holland Park Buses: 9, 10, 27, 28, 49, 328 + 52, 70, 94, 148, 452 Activities: Tea/coffee available. Barbecue, weather permitting. The Treblemakers, an all-female a cappella group based in London, who sing to raise money for charity, will be entertaining visitors in the garden 2.30-3pm Conditions: No picnics wwww.yha.org.uk/hostel/londonholland-park

N14. The Ismaili Centre Roof Garden SW7 2SL The Ismaili Centre Roof Garden is one of London’s best-kept secrets. The serene setting of this beautiful garden reflects motifs from Islamic architectural heritage, drawing on the traditions of Muslim civilisations that have inspired outstanding buildings for many centuries throughout the world. The chahar-bagh (four-part garden), delineated by a central fountain, draws inspiration from the Qur’anic imagery of the Garden of Paradise. Sheltered yet open, it combines granite and greenery with geometry, symbolism and the sound and flow of water. Visitors are treated to a sanctuary of calm amidst the bustle of the city below. Open: Sunday: 10am–4pm Entrance: Thurloe Place Access: Lifts to all floors Nearest station: South Kensington Buses: C1, 14, 49, 74, 345, 360, 414, 430 Activities: Tea and coffee available. Garden tours 10am-4pm, last tour 4pm Conditions: No photography

N15. Kensington Square W8 5HD One of the earliest garden squares in London, dating from the 17th century and built as part of the Thomas Young Estate. Originally called King’s Square, it was surrounded by fields until 1840. Today the square provides a quiet, leafy haven just yards from Kensington High Street. The first buildings date from 1682 and the west side was completed in the 1730s. Artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones (1833-98) lived at no. 41, philosopher John Stuart Mill (1806-73) at no.18, musician Sir Charles Hubert Parry (1848-1918) at no.17 and pioneer of public health Sir John Simon (1816-1904) at no.40. Open: Sunday: 10am–3pm Entrance: South side Nearest station: High Street Kensington

Buses: 9, 10, 28, 49, 52, 328, 452 Activities: The Treblemakers, an allfemale a cappella group based in London who sing to raise money for charity, will be entertaining visitors in Kensington Square Garden at 1pm Gardener: Stephen Airey

N16. K+K Hotel George SW5 9NB The K+K Garden of Varieties offers an island of peace amid London’s hustle and bustle. Imposing Victorian plane trees with gnarled trunks and surrounded by deep green lawns are the central feature of this classic English garden. There are garden niches of different character to tempt your curiosity. A shimmering stone sculpture is set in a spiral footpath, which leads to an area reminiscent of a jungle and a still, peaceful corner with an Asian atmosphere inviting you to rest. The view of the neighbouring gardens gives the impression of depth and of walking in a park. Four patio areas provide seating to relax, contemplate and enjoy your favourite apéritif. London’s mild climate allows a surprising range of plants from different parts of the world to thrive. Highlights are the Tasmanian tree ferns, a rice-paper tree, passionflowers and the lignified fuchsia. Open: Saturday: 2–5pm, Sunday: 2–5pm Entrance: 1-15 Templeton Place Access: Six steps up to hotel entrance, five steps down to garden. Level access via side entrance Nearest station: Earl’s Court Buses: C1, C3, 74, 328 wwww.kkhotels.com Gardener: Caroline Turner

N17. Lexham Gardens W8 5JA This small one-acre square was refurbished in 1990. It has won the All London Garden Square Best Garden award three times (it was second in 2009) and the Brighter Kensington & Chelsea Prize nine times. Among the facilities are a children’s play area and ponds with fountains. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm Entrance: East and west ends Access: Kerb and small step at gate Nearest stations: Earl’s Court, Gloucester Road Bus: 74 Activities: Garden party 3-5pm on Saturday, including children’s entertainment. The Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea is the guest of honour

Conditions: No ball games Gardener: Oliver Dickinson

N18. Markham Square SW3 4UY The building of the original square was begun in 1836 on the site of the old orchard of Box Farm, owned by the Markham family, which had had common rights since the ‘29th year of Elizabeth’. In 1935 the garden was laid out as a cherry orchard, in celebration of the Silver Jubilee of George V. After WW2, the square was redesigned in the style of a private country garden by the head gardener at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The garden is notable for its light, open aspect and rare shrubs and trees, none of which have been allowed to obscure the colourful borders. Open: Sunday: 2–5pm Entrance: North side of square Nearest stations: Sloane Square, South Kensington Buses: 11, 19, 22, 211, 319 Gardener: François Pont

N19. The Wildlife Garden at the Natural History Museum SW7 5BD Opened in 1995 as the Natural History Museum’s first living and working exhibition, the Wildlife Garden reveals a range of British lowland habitats, including deciduous woodland, chalk meadow, heathland, reedbed and ponds. Set in the museum grounds, the garden is also used by schools and scientists. It is a haven for over 2,200 British plant and animal species, demonstrating the potential for wildlife conservation in the inner city. Escape the city and wander through the tranquil habitats of the

Kensington Square OGSWGuide 2014

Area N: Kensington + Brompton + Chelsea garden for free. Winner of the Brighter Kensington and Chelsea Scheme President’s Trophy 2012 and Wildlife Garden Award 2013. Green Flag Award 2012. Open: Saturday: 12–5pm, Sunday: 12– 5pm Entrance: Main entrance to Museum, Cromwell Road. Admission free Nearest station: South Kensington Buses: 14, 70, 74, 345, 360, 414, 430 Activities: Additional displays and family activities. Wildflower plants for sale. Free – all ages welcome wwww.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whatson/wildlife-garden-whatson

N20. Nevern Square SW5 9NW Nevern Square, built from 1880-86, was named after the village of Nevern in Pembrokeshire, country seat of local landowners the Edwardes family. William Graves designed the square, with the garden an integral part of the layout. Residents paid an annual rent of two guineas for the maintenance of the garden. The east, north and south sides (of uniform design) were built by Robert Whitaker, and the west side completed by George Whitaker in the red-andyellow brick ‘Domestic Revival’ style, which contrasts sharply with the white stucco-fronted houses of the surrounding streets. Note the continuous first-floor balconies with delicately patterned iron railings. The land remained in private hands until 1974, when the local residents formed a non-profit-making company to buy it. In 1978 the Kensington Improvement Act of 1851 was applied to the square, ensuring a regular income for the maintenance of the garden. During WW2 the railings were taken down and the north gate destroyed by a flying bomb. The railings were replaced in 1979 and a replica Victorian gate constructed

in 2005. The garden’s seven magnificent plane trees probably formed part of the original planting, and there are 28 other varieties of tree. The simple layout consists of a large lawn with a circular central bed, surrounded by gravel paths and borders planted with a mixture of shrubs and herbaceous plants. New shrubs and plants have livened up the borders in recent years. Most of the beds get little direct sunlight, and show the range of plants that can be grown in these conditions. There is also a small play area for children. Open: Saturday: 12–5pm, Sunday: 12– 5pm Entrance: East side of square Access: Gravel paths Nearest station: Earl’s Court Buses: C1, C3, 74, 328 wwww.nevernsquaregarden.co.uk Contract gardeners: Joseph Jones: Hamish and Eileen

N21. Queen’s Gate Gardens SW7 5LY Queen’s Gate Gardens was created in the 1860s when a residential square was built on the site of former market gardens. The landscaping largely retains its original Victorian layout and the old mulberry and catalpa trees must be at least 150 years old. The circles visible in the lawn mark underground bomb shelters from WW2. Our garden is always beautiful, but particularly in spring, when it is spectacular – carpeted with bluebells and brilliant with blossom and spring flowers. In this big city, the gardens are a source of joy and give a sense of community to the members. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Opposite no. 45 on south side Access: Uneven surface and small step at south gate. Gravel paths Nearest station: Gloucester Road Buses: 49, 74, 70 Activities: Teas wwww.qgg.org.uk Gardener: Manuel Mendes

N22. The Roof Gardens

Tudor Courtyard and English Woodland Garden. All three have been extensively restored and replanted. The Spanish Garden is now planted in the style of the 1950s, while the Tudor Garden planting is based on the Biba ethos and planting from the 1970s. The English Woodland, which contains trees from the original planting, is managed as a 21st-century environmental and wildlife garden. The gardens still have a selection of exotic wildfowl including four flamingos. Owned by Sir Richard Branson for 32 years, the gardens are part of Virgin Limited Edition. They host a members’ club, a private function venue and since 2001, on the seventh floor overlooking the woodland garden, the award-winning Babylon Restaurant. Open: Sunday: 8–11am Entrance: 99 Kensington High Street (actually in Derry Street) Access: While wheelchair access is possible, one or two very small areas of the garden are not accessible Nearest station: High Street Kensington Buses: 9, 10, 27, 28, 49, 52, 70, 328, 452 Activities: The head gardener, David Lewis, will be present. Laurent-Perrier Champagne bar Conditions: No picnics or alcohol. Please note closing time of 11am, when the garden must be vacated wwww.roofgardens.virgin.com Head gardener: David Lewis

N23. Rutland Gate South Garden SW7 1PL A shady garden with nine scheduled plane trees, interesting evergreens, variegated foliage and shrubs. Part of a development of brick-and-stucco houses originally dating from the 1860s. The garden can conveniently be visited in conjunction with Ennismore Gardens, adjacent. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Opposite 54 Rutland Gate Access: Level access but gravel paths and uneven surfaces Nearest stations: South Kensington, Knightsbridge Buses: 9, 10, 14, 74, 52, 414, 452, C1

W8 5SA

The Roof Gardens

OGSWGuide 2014

Originally above Derry & Toms department store, which opened in 1933, The Roof Gardens were conceived by the vice-president of Barkers, Trevor Bowen, who employed landscape architect Ralph Hancock to realise his vision. The gardens opened in May 1938. There are three themed gardens: the Spanish Garden,

N24. Sunningdale Gardens W8 6PX This almost secret little space is essentially the front garden of just nine 1860s houses, two terraces facing each other across it. The distinguished artist Paul Nash, born here in 1889, dismissed it

Garden listings as ‘meaningless’, but 125 years later it means much to those who care about and for it. All upkeep is performed by real live residents, sometimes differing in tastes and opinions, but combined in pride and enthusiasm. A visit is an inevitably intimate experience. Open: Sunday: 10am–6pm Entrance: Stratford Road, facing Abingdon Road Access: Easiest by western gate. Nearest stations: Earl’s Court, Kensington High Street Buses: C1, 49, 74, 328, C3 Thrive Battersea

N25. Thrive Battersea – Main Garden SW11 4NJ Thrive is a national charity which uses gardening to change lives. Thrive’s garden project in Battersea Park features three glorious gardens created entirely through the skills and commitment of the charity’s beneficiaries – disabled people from across south and west London. We are excited to open our newly refurbished and purpose-built Thrive garden and new premises to visitors, located along East Carriage Drive, Battersea Park (by the tennis courts). At the time of writing, the garden remains a building site, however, come the summer it will be flourishing as a newly designed and planted garden with excellent facilities for our gardeners and visitors. From here you can enjoy guided tours, not only of this garden but also the other gardens that Thrive maintain in Battersea Park – the Jo Malone Old English Garden and the Herb Garden (see below). Open: Saturday: 11am–4pm, Sunday: 11am–4pm Entrance: Battersea Park East Carriage Drive, by tennis courts Nearest stations: Battersea Park, Queenstown Road Buses: 44, 137, 452 Activities: The main Garden will have plenty of activities and fun for all the family. Drop by and relax with tea and delicious homemade cakes, and visit our new premises, where you will also find a whole range of plants for sale wwww.thrive.org.uk

N26. Thrive Battersea – Herb Garden SW11 4NJ Boursin cheese is sponsoring Thrive in an exciting new redevelopment of some areas of the Herb Garden – come and see it this summer! From our newly

refurbished Main Garden on East Carriage Drive you can enjoy guided tours of the both the Herb Garden and the Jo Malone Old English Garden (see below). Open: Saturday: 11am–4pm, Sunday: 11am–4pm Entrance: In Battersea Park, just inside Albert Gate on the left Access: Full disabled access and toilet facilities Nearest stations: Battersea Park (1.5 km), Queenstown Road (1.8 km) Buses: 19, 49, 170, 419 Activities: Guided tours. Plants and herbs for sale. Information on Thrive. Fun for all the family Conditions: No alcohol wwww.thrive.org.uk

A typical Victorian garden, with mature trees, winding paths, lawns, borders, flowerbeds and children’s play area, enclosed within its original railings. The square was developed in the 1840s to designs by George Basevi and ushered in a new era of Italianate townhouse design in London. The square takes its name from John Thurloe, Oliver Cromwell’s Secretary of State. In the 18th century the land passed from Anne Browne to her second husband, Thurloe’s grandson. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Gate on south side of square Nearest station: South Kensington Buses: C1, 14, 49, 74, 345, 360, 414, 430 wwww.thurloesquaregardens.com Gardener: Robert Player

N27. Thrive Battersea – Old English Garden SW11 4NJ

N29. Courtfield Gardens (East) SW5 0NQ

Guided tours of both the Jo Malone Old English Garden and the Herb Garden (see above). The Main Garden will also have plenty of activities and for for all the family; so please stop by and relax with tea and delicious homemade cakes, visit our new premises, where you will also find a whole range of plants for sale. Open: Saturday: 11am–4pm, Sunday: 11am–4pm Entrance: In Battersea Park, south side of Carriage Drive North (west end), behind evergreen trees.= Access: Full disabled access.= Nearest stations: Battersea Park (1.5 km), Queenstown Road (1.8 km) Buses: 19, 49, 170, 419 Activities: Guided tours Conditions: No alcohol wwww.thrive.org.uk

In the mid-19th century, when plans were being made to develop the area around Earls Court Manor House (next to the site of the present-day Earls Court station), Captain James gave a portion of the Court Fields as a site for a new church. St Jude’s opened on Christmas Eve, 1870. Today St Jude’s is surrounded by a deeply sunken garden, with banks of azaleas, rhododendrons and a miniature bog garden and rockery. There are also ornamental flowerbeds and an abundance of self-seeded violets. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Opposite no. 62 Access: Sloping gravel path leading down to main garden Nearest stations: Gloucester Road, Earl’s Court Buses: 49, 74 + 430, C1 Activities: Cakes and drinks. Children’s playground

N28. Thurloe Square SW7 2SX

OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Central London

Belgravia + Pimlico + Westminster Legible London

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© Transport for London Based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery OfÀce © Crown Copyright. F E N and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright TIM TfL Licence Number LA100032379 2014 A

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Transport for London

OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Central London

Belgravia + Pimlico + Westminster

Cadogan Place Gardens

O1. No.10 Downing Street SW1A 2AA Special Conditions apply The garden at No.10 Downing Street is enjoyed by the Prime Minister and his family, as well as visitors to the building. Larry, the Downing Street cat, and Freya, the Chancellor’s family cat, are also fond of the outdoor space. It is also enjoyed by Lola, the No.11 dog – when Larry and Freya allow it obviously! The terrace and garden at Downing Street were constructed in 1736, shortly after Walpole moved into No.10. The terrace extends across the back of the house. The garden is dominated by an open lawn of half an acre that wraps around in an L-shape. There is a centrally located flowerbed with flower urns, a bench and an arch. Tubs of flowers line the terrace and roses line the main pathway through the garden. There is also a vegetable patch, where produce includes radishes, spring onions, beetroot, cress, carrots and leeks. There are bird-feeding tables where birds as exotic as a parakeet have been seen feeding. The garden has provided an informal setting for a number of significant gatherings, including the press launch for the announcement of the coalition government in May 2010 and, in 2011, a barbeque for military personnel hosted by the Camerons and Obamas. Also, the London 2012 school

OGSWGuide 2014

games competitors used the space for activities in March. Entrance: 10 Downing Street Access: Steps Nearest station: Westminster Buses: 3, 11, 12, 24, 53, 87, 88, 159, 453 Conditions: You can only visit this garden on a tour and all places will be allocated by public ballot. When you buy your ticket, you will be asked if you wish to enter the ballot. The tour will take place in the morning of Sunday 15 June. Full details will be confirmed to the lucky winners in the ballot. There are a maximum two places on the tour per drawn ballot. Tickets will be selected at random on 21 May and winning ticketholders will be advised around 4 June

O2. Belgrave Square SW1X 8PG A 4.5-acre private garden designed by George Basevi, first planted by Thomas Cubitt in 1826 and now restored to its 1867 Victorian layout. There are many trees, including large plane trees dating from the original plantings. A central path curves through pergolas overhung with wisteria and roses. The square also features a quiet garden, a play area for children and a tennis court. The statuary around the garden reflects the international nature of the square and offers a rare chance to see a collection

of modern figurative work. A 1998 statue of Sir Robert Grosvenor by Jonathan Wylder at the corner of Wilton Crescent features the quote from John Ruskin: ‘When we build, let us think we build for ever’. The Belgrave Square garden committee seeks to balance the maintenance of the garden’s historic character with the needs and expectations of modern users and the preservation of the square for the future. Look out for the new herbaceous border planted this spring. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: West Gate opposite no. 6 Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner or Victoria Station Buses: C1, 2, 9, 10, 14, 16, 19, 38, 73, 74, 82, 137, 148, 414, 436 Activities: Food, drink, music, games, crafts and plants for sale. Tree guide and history of the Belgravia gardens wwww.grosvenor-gardens.co.uk Lead gardener: Nick Butler

O3. Cadogan Place Gardens SW1X 9PQ At the end of the 18th century this garden was known as the London Botanic Garden. The mulberry trees on the south lawn are said to be around 300 years old and thought to have been grown for the silk trade. The severe storm in 1987 resulted in the loss of many large trees, which have now been replaced with a variety of ornamental trees, opening up the garden. An interesting mixed border is planted opposite the mulberries. On the east side, a walk running the length of the garden is being developed for spring interest, along with a fern garden. Near the tennis courts, a water garden is partially hidden by black bamboo and willows, while to the centre of the south garden is the award-winning Hans Sloane Garden, adapted from a design for the 2003 Chelsea Flower Show to celebrate the life of the physician and collector Sir Hans Sloane, who died in 1753. His daughter Elizabeth married the 1st Earl Cadogan. William Wilberforce (1759-1833), campaigner for the abolition of the slave trade, lived at 44 Cadogan Place. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm,

Garden listings Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Opposite 91 Sloane Street Access: Ramps Nearest station: Knightsbridge Buses: C1, 19, 22, 137, 452 Activities: The Cadogan Hotel are providing refreshments and there will be live music by Oompa Brass 10am–4pm Head gardener: Ric Glenn

O4. Cadogan Square Gardens SW1X 0EE Three houses in the south-west corner are by the celebrated Victorian architect Norman Shaw (1831-1913). The novelist Arnold Bennett (1867-1931) lived at no.75. The poet John Betjeman (19062006) prayed that God would protect the square from German bombers in WW2: ‘Lord, put beneath Thy special care, One-Eighty-Nine Cadogan Square’. A round raised bed, with a collection of David Austen roses, mixed with lychnis, cistus and agapanthus, occupies the centre of the garden. The Kiftsgate rose growing around the summerhouse near the tennis courts is of special interest, with a small mixed border nearby. The garden lost almost half its plane trees during the 1987 storm, which were replaced with ornamental trees set out in a less formal fashion. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Opposite Milner Street (60 Cadogan Square) Nearest station: Knightsbridge Buses: C1, 19, 22, 137, 452 Head gardener: Ric Glenn

O5. Carlton House Terrace Gardens SW1Y 5AP Carlton House, the London residence of the Prince Regent, was built (at great expense) on part of the site of the former royal garden of St James’s Palace and remodelled in 1813 by the Regency architect John Nash. After becoming George IV, the Prince Regent lost interest in the house and it was demolished in 1827. Nash replaced it with Carlton House Terrace (1827–32) and Carlton Gardens (1830–33), houses for ‘persons of the highest social rank’. Waterloo Place was Nash’s southern terminus for Regent Street. The central space between the two blocks of nine houses was intended to have a domed fountain, but is now occupied by steps down to the Mall and a column surmounted by a statue of Frederick

Augustus, the ‘Grand Old Duke of York’. The gardens have retained much of their 19th-century character, with serpentine paths, trees and shrubs. Handsome railings and a number of good statues define the perimeters of the gardens. In 2008 the gardens were restored. The original path network has been reinstated with a firm surface of selfbinding gravel. Replanting has added a greater variety of shrubs and groundcover more suited to the shaded environment. Open: Saturday: 10am–4pm Entrance: Gate on SW side of Waterloo Place Access: Raised stone threshold at gate. New, firmed paths Nearest station: Piccadilly Circus Buses: 3, 6, 9, 12, 13, 15, 23, 88, 94, 139, 159, 453 wwww.cepc.org.uk Head gardener: Kevin Powell

O6. Chester Square SW1W 9HS Chester Square was laid out between 1828 and 1840 by the 1st Duke of Westminster and his surveyor and architect Thomas Cundy II as part of the Grosvenor Estate. St Michael’s Church on the west side was also designed by Thomas Cundy and still provides a backdrop to the garden today. Ropeedged tiles and some original trees have survived. The garden is planted with shrub and herbaceous borders and contains a delightful central rose garden. Just under 1.5 acres in size, it was restored in 1997 to the layout that appears in the Ordnance Survey map of

1867. The garden’s essence today is one of peace and tranquillity. It was highly commended in the 2011 London Gardens Society Competition. Past residents include the poet Matthew Arnold (182288) at no. 2, and Mary Shelley (1797-1851), author of Frankenstein, at no. 24. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Opposite 20 Chester Square Nearest stations: Victoria, Sloane Square Buses: C1, C2, 2, 16, 38, 73, 82, 137, 148, 170, 211, 436, 507 Activities: Garden information guide wwww.grosvenor-gardens.co.uk Charge gardener/lead gardener: Stuart Camm/Nick Butler

O7. Eaton Square SW1W 9BD Eaton Square is one of London’s premier addresses. The layout, along with Belgrave Square, was begun in 1826 by Thomas Cubitt for the Grosvenor Estate. The square was named after Eaton Hall in Cheshire, home of the landowner the Duke of Westminster. The square is actually a rectangle divided into six gardens. The central garden on the south side is open for OGSW. In 2011 these perfectly manicured gardens were among the top three – and awarded a bronze medal – in the London Garden Society’s competition for large private squares. Mixed borders around two formal lawns are divided by a tranquil retreat of paths and seating through a shaded enclave. In addition, there is a tennis court with a planted walking area around the outside and formal raised beds, which always offer a vibrant

Eaton Square OGSWGuide 2014

Area O: Belgravia + Pimlico + Westminster display in time for OGSW. Famous past residents include prime minister Neville Chamberlain (no. 37) and actress Vivien Leigh (no. 54). Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Opposite no. 42 (south side) Nearest station: Victoria Buses: C1, C2, 2, 16, 38, 73, 82, 148, 170, 185, 211, 436 Activities: Tree guide. Live music. Refreshments. Punch & Judy show wwww.grosvenor-gardens.co.uk Lead gardener: Nick Butler

unusual tender plants have been put in and are flourishing in the garden. Eccleston Square is proud to have won several prizes in the past 10 years. We were awarded the London Garden Society’s top prize for large gardens in 2011and second prize in 2013. Open: Sunday: 2–5pm Entrance: Opposite no. 15 Nearest station: Victoria Buses: 11, 24, 44, 211, C10 Car parking: No parking restrictions over the weekend around the square wwww.ecclestonsquaregardens.com Gardener: Neville Capil

O8. Eccleston Square SW1V 1NP Eccleston Square takes its name from the Cheshire village of Eccleston, part of the estates of the landowners, the Dukes of Westminster. Originally a lowlying swamp which was drained in the early 17th century, it was planned as a three-acre square in 1828 by Thomas Cubitt (1788–1855). Over the past 30 years, the whole garden has been replanted to give year-round interest. There are many specialist collections, including camellias, climbing and shrub roses, and a National Collection of ceanothus. In 2006, a Wollemi pine was donated to the square. The species was thought to have been extinct until found recently in Australia. Over the past eight years a large variety of

Eccleston Square

OGSWGuide 2014

O9. Lillington & Longmoore Gardens SW1V 2LD The Lillington Gardens Estate was designed by Darbourne and Darke for the City of Westminster. It was one of the first low-rise, high-density housing estates in London. Construction started in the mid-1960s and continued until Longmoore Gardens was completed in the late 1970s. The estates were designated a conservation area in 1990 and parts are listed grade II*. Originally the estate was landscaped as a series of green spaces with trees. Since 1996 these have been developed considerably into a number of unique gardens planted with a wide range of shrubs, herbaceous plants and bulbs suited to

the dry urban environment. Bedding and hanging basket plants are raised by the gardeners. Features include classic mixed borders, Mediterranean areas, an exotic border with yuccas, palms, agaves and cannas, a sensory garden with bubble fountain, pergolas, flowers and vegetables, a Jubilee Garden, a family ‘grow your own’ garden and a garden club area. Perennial meadows and wildlife areas and a pond have been made to increase biodiversity. The estate has won the Best Garden for Wildlife section of the Westminster in Bloom competition and has achieved a Green Flag award for excellent management and maintenance for six years running. It was the first in the country to win this award. There is a playground for children under 10 accompanied by an adult. This is adapted for children with disabilities. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: 3 Charlwood Street Access: Difficult in a few places Nearest stations: Pimlico, Victoria Buses: 2, 24, 36, 185, 436 Car parking: Please park off the estate in the street Activities: Map of the gardens available. Gardeners present and will lead a guided walk at 3pm. Children’s playground. Plants for sale. Tea, coffee, sandwiches and cakes Head gardener: Jim Myers

Garden listings

O10. Marlborough House SW1Y 5HX Built by Sir Christopher Wren in 1709-11, this magnificent house is now the working headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Foundation. The garden has been largely maintained in its original formal 18th-century layout, with a number of large, plain expanses of lawn, intersected by gravel pathways. At its southern and western boundaries, bordering The Mall and Marlborough Road respectively, the lawns bank upwards, enabling residents to see over the fairly high boundary wall from the gravel path. Against these walls are formal beds with some hedging and other planting. At the eastern boundary is a less formal, extensive shrubbery, with a woodland path and a pet cemetery, where the tombstones commemorate household pets, including some of Queen Alexandra’s dogs. There is a revolving timber summerhouse with a thatched roof commissioned by Queen Mary, the last royal resident of the house, in front of the east wing of the building. In the south-east corner of the garden is a brick-built gazebo. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm Entrance: From Marlborough Road Nearest station: Green Park Bus: 9 wwww.thecommonwealth.org

O11. MaRoCoCo Garden at Rococo Chocolates SW1X 8JU A small courtyard garden behind Rococo Chocolates. The layout plans were by Dræyk van der Hørn of Bonnington Square Pleasure Garden, executed by Chantal Coady, the shop’s founder, who has also been closely involved with the Bonnington Square gardens. Once a neglected city space, with a lone acacia tree, the garden now features a Moroccan tile mosaic and is filled with fragrant plants – all the things used in the Rococo repertoire: rose, lavender, geranium, mint, jasmine and a kaffir lime. The result is a stunning asymmetric mirrored courtyard in the middle of Belgravia, where you can sip mint tea, hot chocolate or cappuccino. Cakes freshly made on the premises. Many elements in the garden are recycled: old mirrors came from the late Lady Rusheen Wynn-Jones’ house in Sprimont Place and tiles from Dar interiors. The garden is now a favourite hangout for

MaRoCoCo Garden

local birds, with a couple of resident robins. Tits, a family of blackbirds, and even a great spotted woodpecker visit the garden. Visit our website blog for the latest information. Open: Saturday: 11am–6pm, Sunday: 12– 6pm Entrance: 5 Motcomb St Access: One step into the shop and a flight of stairs down into the garden Nearest station: Knightsbridge Buses: C1, 19, 22, 137, 452 Activities: Take a look into our chocolate kitchen, where Annamarie will be demonstrating chocolate techniques from the chocolate school courses. Fresh-baked cakes and pastries. Menu of coffees, teas and hot chocolate Conditions: A maximum of 12 people at a time: it is a very small space! wwww.rococochocolates.com

O12. Warwick Square SW1V 2AL Warwick Square was laid out in the early 1840s as part of Thomas Cubitt’s development plan for Pimlico. The westward vista from the garden towards St Gabriel’s Church was a component of Cubitt’s original design. Six of the original iron lamp standards remain in use. New railings to match those lost during WW2 have been installed and the original hoggin paths and rope-edge tiles reinstated. The two original Victorian mounds have been relandscaped with timber forts, concealed paths and hiding places to encourage

children’s play. The square has been extensively replanted in recent years, designed to be an all-seasons garden, with particular emphasis on winter interest and scent. Described as ‘a plantswoman’s garden’ it is also a home to a large variety of birds, insects and butterflies. ‘Rus in Urbe’ is written above the gates and, indeed, this is a piece of romantic countryside in SW1. Open: Sunday: 11am–5pm Entrance: Opposite no. 12 Nearest stations: Pimlico, Victoria Buses: 24 + C10, 2, 36, 185, 360, 436 wwww.warwicksquarepimlico.co.uk Gardener: Sarah Syborn

O13. Wilton Crescent Garden SW1X 8RX Wilton Crescent was an addition by Thomas Cundy, the Grosvenor Estate surveyor, to the original 1821 Wyatt plan for Belgravia. Today this crescentshaped garden is planted in a white theme and is a tranquil enclave only a stone’s throw from Belgrave Square. Modern sculpture mixes with imposing London plane trees. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: Opposite 38 Wilton Crescent Nearest stations: Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge Buses: 2, 9, 10, 14, 16, 19, 38, 73, 74, 82, 137, 148, 414, 436 Activities: Written plant guide wwww.grosvenor.com Lead gardener: Nick Butler

OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Central London

North Lambeth + Southwark Legible London

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Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery OfÀce © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. TfL Licence Number LA100032379 2014

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OGSWGuide 2014

AREA

Central London

North Lambeth + Southwark

P1. Bee Urban SE11 4AS Bee Urban is a beekeeping and environmental education community project based at the Keeper’s Lodge in Kennington Park. We have transformed the unused garden, carving out new growing beds and planting fruit trees, soft fruit, nectar-rich plants, herbs and flowers. Regular volunteers from the local community maintain the site two days a week. We have constructed a large timber outbuilding – ‘The Bee Barn’ – which provides a space for our beekeeping operations. It is also used as an educational resource for beekeeping demonstrations and training sessions. The building has an ecological dimension – it has a living, intensively planted green roof, and has been built using sustainable reclaimed materials and plants. In the long term, we aim to install renewable energy sources. We provide outreach work across south London and the building is available as a space for groups, where we do gardening, ecology and beekeeping. All planting has been designed to be nectarrich according to Royal Horticultural Society and British Beekeepers Association guidance. We also have an anaerobic digester and solar water heater. There are constructive volunteering opportunities at Bee Urban; these include gardening, beekeeping, construction/carpentry, cob oven construction, cooking, candlemaking, paper-making and more. The site is open to the public for events and openaccess sessions. Open weekends give the public the opportunity to see the project and get involved.

Open: Saturday: 2–5pm, Sunday: 2–5pm Entrance: St Agnes Place Access: Generally level access but some steps, uneven surfaces and gravel paths Nearest station: Kennington / Oval Buses: 3, 36, 133, 159, 185, 344 Activities: Beekeeping, crafts and candle-making wwww.beeurban.org.uk

P2. Bonnington Square SW8 1GA The pleasure garden here was once a bombsite, then a derelict playground, before it was imaginatively re-designed by the Bonnington Square Garden Association, a group of local residents with backgrounds in film, art, design and horticulture. Funded by grants and local sponsorship, the garden includes a 9metre Industrial Revolution iron waterwheel, a huge Helping Hand sculpture and evocative, lush sub-tropical planting. Further planting under the umbrella of the Paradise Project includes trees, groundcover planting, vines and endless street gardens. The pleasure garden is today regarded as one of the finest community gardens in London. Open: Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: On north side Nearest station: Vauxhall Buses: 2, 36, 88, 185, 436 also 44, 77, 77A, 156, 322, 344 Activities: Refreshments, activities wbonningtonsquaregarden.org.uk

P3. Chumleigh Gardens SE5 0RJ Chumleigh Gardens is a series of interlinking World Gardens encompassing three almshouses that date back to 1802. This hidden pocket of high horticulture and heritage sits at the heart of Burgess Park, some 46 hectares of green open space with a lake, woodlands and a BMX track that until the 1970s was an area of heavy industry, factories, slums and a working canal. Chumleigh Gardens is an unexpected find amidst such a contemporary urban landscape. It is a place to unwind and gather your thoughts, away from the wide open space of the park, either sheltered in a sunny spot within the walls of the Mediterranean, Islamic, Oriental and African-Caribbean gardens or relaxing on the grass, drinking in the delights of the colour-rich English Garden borders. Open: Saturday: 10am–4.30pm, Sunday: 10am–4.30pm Entrance: Chumleigh Street, off Albany Road Access: Some gravel paths may be difficult for wheelchair users Nearest stations: Elephant & Castle, then bus 343 Buses: 42, 343 Activities: Chance to learn more about the horticulture with tours from the head gardener as well as gardening and craft activities for all ages. Please see the website for up-to-date information wwww.southwark.gov.uk/burgesspark Head gardener: Oliver Miller

P4. Diversity Garden SE1 0RU

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The Diversity Garden at King James St replaces the garden which was lost during the redevelopment of the site. During 2012, local residents helped to kick-start the growth and ‘rebirth’ of the garden, planting native hedgerows, four new fruit trees and an ‘edible’ hedge composed of rosemary, bay, gooseberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, whitecurrants, raspberries and other assorted herbs, all within easy picking distance of the kitchens in the residents’ homes next to the garden. The garden also features a wildlife pond (please don’t put unwanted aquarium pets in here!) and a raised goldfish pond. There is also an

Garden listings underground rainwater harvesting tank and composting area for green garden waste and vegetable peelings. The beds are a combination of individual plots in which residents living in the adjacent housing blocks grow vegetables, as well as communal vegetable beds under crop rotation, which all residents are able to harvest. Residents entered some of their communal produce in our hugely popular Octavia Hill Flower and Vegetable Show, held at Red Cross Garden on in September 2013. We are planning to plant resow our meadow area to encourage more wildlife into the area. Please look for planting days on our website and join us for our regular gardening clubs! If you’d like to gain access to the garden or join the gardening club, contact the Red Cross office (020 7403 3393 or info@bost.org.uk). The club meets on the second Saturday of the month, 10am1pm and the second and last Wednesday of the month, 10am-12 noon. Open: Saturday: 10am–1pm Entrance: Milcote Street or King James Street Access: Level access from pavement. Dropped kerbs near the entrances Nearest station: Elephant & Castle Bus: 344 wwww.bost.org.uk Diversity garden: Dumisani Nyathi

P5. The Garden Museum SE1 7LB A 17th-century-style knot garden, designed by the Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury, President of the Garden Museum. It was officially opened in 1983 by HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. The garden is set in the old graveyard surrounding the museum, which was formerly the parish church of St Mary-at-Lambeth. It features plants of the period and contains the tombs of the famous 17th-century gardeners and plant-hunters, the John Tradescants, father and son. The wild garden at the front of the museum, created in 2007, will be in flower. Open: Saturday: 10.30am–4pm, Sunday: 10.30am–5pm Entrance: Via the Museum – a former church at the corner of Lambeth Road and Lambeth Palace Road Nearest stations: Waterloo, Lambeth North Buses: C10, 3, 77, 344, 507 Activities: Permanent collection. Current exhibition. Café and gift shop. Plant sales wwww.gardenmuseum.org.uk Horticultural consultant: Sarah Price

The Garden Museum

P6. Glengall Wharf Garden SE15 6NF The garden is a new project reclaiming an unkempt part of Burgess Park. Since 2012 we have been developing a large community garden that shows the use of a wide variety of different sustainable gardening methods, all managed by local people. We grow a wide range of fruit and vegetables, using permaculture techniques to develop an edible forest garden. A pond, pergola, hot composting, natural bee-keeping, hügel mounds, a polytunnel and more can be seen either completed or in development. The site is on an old wharf of the Surrey Canal and old cobbles are still in evidence. A lively, diverse and busy project, we are an ‘ideas hub’ for alternative gardening and sustainability. The garden is a Permaculture Association Land Centre, so a great place to find out more about permaculture. Open: Saturday: 11am–4pm Entrance: On the Surrey Canal Walk Access: Very irregular surfaces. Nearest stations: Peckham Rye (1.5km, bus) Buses: 63, 363 to Waite Street Activities: Guided tours, gardening workshops with the master gardeners and more tbc. Homemade refreshments wburgessparkfoodproject.org.uk Cg

P7. Jamyang Buddhist Centre SE11 4NA Our garden is located in the original exercise yard for prisoners of the Old Kennington Courthouse, which was a Lambeth magistrates’ court for 100 years, built in 1869. It is the last surviving Victorian courthouse in London, listed grade II since 1993. Jamyang Buddhist Centre bought the Old Court House in

1995, when it was in poor repair. A large team of volunteers restored the beautiful old building over time, including the exercise yard, which retains the original Victorian cobblestones. The gated courtyard garden covers approximately 120 square metres, and is set out with a magnificent golden Buddha statue, the tables and chairs of our on-site café, and a small meditative garden space. The garden, designed and maintained by volunteers, is planted with a mixture of shrubs, climbers, perennials and annuals. His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited in 1999. An old Victorian cast-iron safe found on site is now nestled among boulders beneath the Buddha statue, forming the base for a pretty fountain. We feel that the idea of sharing the building is entirely commensurate with the commitment we made during the purchase campaign to bring the Old Court House back into community use. The centre is involved in a variety of partnerships and networks with local health, non-profit and community groups. Open: Sunday: 10am–5pm Entrance: 43 Renfrew Road Access: Building and garden fully accessible. Courtyard cobblestones are a bit uneven for a wheelchair, although still quite accessible Nearest stations: Kennington, Elephant & Castle Buses: 196 (Kennington Lane), 133, 155, 333 (Kennington Park Road), 3, 59, 109, 159 (Kennington Road) Activities: Plant sale. Café offering an eclectic range of food, all produced on site. Lunches, cakes and freshly baked breads based on seasonal produce, plus excellent espresso coffee. Small shop selling incense, books, colourful prayer flags and Tibetan art cards wwww.jamyang.co.uk Volunteer head gardener: Anne Swindell/Ros Williams

P8. Merrick Square SE1 4JB Small, quiet, well-maintained garden square, originally laid out in 1853-6 as part of the development of land belonging to the Corporation of Trinity House. It is still composed of 32 single houses, owned by Trinity House. Holy Trinity Rectory, between nos.16 and 17, was built in 1872. Open: Sunday: 11am–6pm Entrance: West side of Merrick Square Access: Kerb at entrance. Outer parts of the garden are reached across lawns Nearest stations: Borough, Elephant & Castle, London Bridge OGSWGuide 2014

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Area P: North Lambeth + Southwark

Pullens Yards

Buses: 21, 35, 40, 133, 343, C10 Activities: Music and refreshments organised by Trinity Newington Residents’ Association, by kind permission of the Corporation of Trinity House wwww.tnra.net

P9. Pullens Yards (previously Iliffe Yard) SE17 3QA Pullens Yards are three adjacent cobbled yards consisting of workshops built in Victorian times by James Pullen. Today Pullens Yards workspaces house a wealth of creative designer-makers. The area was used as a set for the film The King’s Speech. Each yard has a character of its own. Clements Yard, the smallest of the three, is bedecked with wisteria and fragrant flowers used in perfumery. Iliffe Yard, being open-ended, has the feeling of a green corridor with cascading Virginia creeper, raised flower and vegetable beds (mostly grown from seed and cuttings), ground-level and pot planting. Two established trees feature in Peacock Yard – bay and palm, facing a thick thatch of honeysuckle which contrasts with an installation of modern vertical planting in wall mounted boxes. Plants seem to thrive here in their urban microclimates in the most unlikely of places. These yard gardens provide important pollen for surrounding bee colonies. The self-seeded passionflower by Crampton Street gate and Virginia creeper are especially popular when in flower, the creeper providing nesting areas for blackbirds. The planting in raised beds and small pockets create an environment for butterflies. A sense of well-being for the human environment is created by the ability to see greenery and colour in this urban setting. Twice a year

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the three yards open to the public. See the fascinating workshops, talk with the makers, buy one-off items and become inspired to make things while enjoying the atmosphere of these gardens. Open: Saturday: 11am–5pm, Sunday: 11am–5pm Entrance: Crampton Street / Amelia Street/Iliffe Street Access: Uneven cobbled yards Nearest stations: Kennington, Elephant & Castle Buses: 35, 40, 45, 68, 171, 176, 468 Activities: Open studios weekend. Beehive from ‘Bee Urban’ (depending on weather and hive inspection). Free creative activity workshops for adults and children. Food and drink from Electric Elephant Café wpullensyards.co.uk Gardener: Barbara Wakefield

P10. Trinity Church Square SE1 4HT A formal garden square built between 1824 and 1832 on land belonging to the Corporation of Trinity House. Most of the houses, still owned by Trinity House, have been converted into flats. The church is now the Henry Wood Hall, used for orchestral rehearsals. The garden, maintained by Trinity House, contains one of the oldest outside statues in London, probably of Alfred the Great and possibly originally sited in Westminster Hall. The garden, maintained by Trinity House and Trinity Newington Residents Association, has been open to residents only since 1997 and has been well used since the closure of Trinity Street to through traffic in 2002. Open: Sunday: 11am–6pm Access: Level entrance. Mostly lawn Nearest stations: Borough, Elephant & Castle, London Bridge Buses: 21, 35, 40, 133, 343, C10 Activities: Music and refreshments organised by Trinity Newington Residents Association, with kind permission of the Corporation of Trinity House wwww.tnra.net

P11. Walworth Allotment Association SE17 3EQ Walworth Allotment Association was founded in the 1970s by a passionate local Southwark community who wanted to grow their own fruit and vegetables as close to home as possible. This site, which includes a wildlife area and thriving beehives, has developed over the years

through various planting and community initiatives. The current twice-yearly working party has reclaimed industrial/garage space to create a pleasant, intimate communal urban green space. We have 16 plots, some of which are shared, with a very diverse group of keen gardeners. We grow a variety of fruit, herbs and vegetables organically, with the occasional floral flourish! This is possibly one of the most urban vegetable growing sites in the world – the London Eye is almost in sight, while the roar of the cricket crowds at Oval can be heard while gardening on a summer’s day. You’re welcome to come and enjoy our creative horticultural inner-city delights. Open: Saturday: 10am–6pm, Sunday: 10am–6pm Entrance: Fielding Street, off Walworth Road, just west of railway bridge Access: Ground uneven in parts, but still wheelchair accessible Nearest stations: Kennington, Elephant & Castle Buses: 12, 68, 171, 176, 468 from E+C Activities: Soft drinks and delicious homemade cakes

P12. Walworth Garden Farm SE17 3BN Walworth Garden Farm was founded in 1987 in a heavily built-up inner-city area of Southwark. Local residents created the farm on derelict land to provide education, training and resources in organic horticulture for the local community. The farm now delivers a variety of services, including horticultural therapy for adults with learning difficulties, outreach environmental education for schools, horticultural training and employment programmes for local residents aged 16-25, contractgardening services and introductory gardening courses. Activities include beekeeping and an observation hive. In 2012 the garden won its fifth Green Flag Community Award. Open: Saturday: 10am–2pm, Sunday: 9am–4.30pm Entrance: Manor Place / Braganza Road Access: Accessible toilet. Hoggin paths Nearest station: Kennington Buses: 133, 155, 333, 12, 35, 40, 45, 68, 148, 171, 176, 468 Activities: Plant sales and other activities wwww.walworthgardenfarm.org.uk Gardener: Kevin Moore

Vouchers

Op Open O pen Open p H House e —Ci C City —Ci ttyy LLondon d

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OGSWGuide 2014

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Open O pen Hou House ou us use London 2014 L d 2014 20–21 20 –21 September Septe

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To take advantage of this offer phone 020 7839 3969 or email enquiries@londongardenstrust.org for membership information. Please attach this coupon when you return your completed form. Membership forms must be received by 31 July 2014 to be eligible. London Parks & Gardens Trust, Duck Island Cottage, St James’s Park, London SW1A 2BJ enquiries@londongardenstrust.org Answerphone: 020 7839 3969

www.londongardenstrust.org openhouselondon.org.uk openhous selo london.orrg.uk

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2-FOR-1 ADMISSION SIMPLY PRESENT THIS VOUCHER AT THE DOOR GROW LONDON 20-22 JUNE, 10AM - 6PM GROW LONDON MARQUEE LOWER FAIRGROUND SITE EAST HEATH ROAD HAMPSTEAD LONDON NW3 1TH GROWLONDON.COM Voucher admits two adults for the price of one adult ticket (£16) Offer not valid on advance tickets

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OGSWGuide 2014

Index

Index of gardens GREEN = new garden for 2014 Garden name and postcode

10 Downing Street SW1 Abbey Gardens – What Will The Harvest Be? E15 Abney Park Cemetery N16 The Academy Gardens WC1 Acton Community Garden W3 Alara Permaculture Forest Garden N1 Arlington Square N1 Arnold Circus E2 Arundel & Elgin Garden W11

page

94 16 17 68 30 38 38 46 62

Ballast Quay Garden SE10 20 Barnard Park N1 38 Barnsbury Square N1 39 Barnsbury Wood N1 39 Bedford Square WC1 68 Bee Urban SE11 100 Belgrave Square SW1 94 Bina Gardens East SW7 86 Bonnington Square SW8 100 Bowes Park Community Garden N22 16 Bramford Community Garden SW18 24 Bramham Gardens SW5 86 Branch Hill Allotments NW3 33 British Medical Association Council Garden WC1 68 Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses SE24 20 Brunel Museum Gardens SE16 54 Brunswick Square WC1 68 Bryanston Square W1 69 Bunhill Fields EC1 78

Cable Street Community Gardens E1 54 Cadogan Place Gardens SW1 94 Cadogan Square Gardens SW1 95 Caledonian Park and Community Orchard N7 39 Calthorpe Project Community Garden WC1 69 Camley Street Natural Park NW1 40 Canons Park – George V Memorial Garden HA8 14 Carlton House Terrace Gardens SW1 95 Carlyle’s House SW3 86 Carnegie Library SE24 58

Carshalton House Landscape Garden SM5 24 The Castle Garden N4 16 Centre for Wildlife Gardening SE15 20 Charlton Manor Primary School SE7 20 95 Chester Square SW1 Chiswick House Walled Gardens W4 30 Christchurch Greyfriars Rose Garden EC1 82 Chumleigh Gardens SE5 100 Cleary Garden EC4 82 Cleveland Square W2 62 Cleveland Gardens W2 62 Clissold Community Garden N16 17 Collingham Gardens SW5 86 Collingham Gardens Nursery WC1 69 Cordwainers Garden E8 46 Core Landscape’s Pop-up Garden and Plant Nursery E16 17 Cornwall Gardens SW7 86 Courtfield Gardens (West) SW5 87 Courtfield Gardens (East) SW5 91 Cranbrook Community Food Garden E2 46 Crescent Garden W9 62 Culpeper Community Garden N1 40 Culverley Green SE6 21

Dalston Eastern Curve Garden E8 47 Deen City Farm SW19 24 Diversity Garden SE1 100 Dorset Square NW1 69 Drapers’ Hall Garden EC2 78 Dulwich Upper Wood LNR SE19 21 Durand Gardens SW9 58

Earls Court Square SW5 Eastbury Manor House Walled Gardens and Herb Garden IG11 East Village E20 Eaton Square SW1 Eccleston Square SW1 Eden at St. Paul’s Community Garden SW4 Edwardes Square W8 Ennismore Gardens SW7

Fann Street Wildlife Garden EC2 FARM:shop E8

87 17 17 95 96 58 87 87 78 48

Fassett Square E8 Fenton House Garden NW3 Fitzroy Square W1 Formosa Garden W9 Freightliners Farm N7 Fulham Palace SW6 Fulham Palace Meadows Allotments SW6

Gainsborough Gardens NW3 Garden Barge Square at Downings Roads Moorings SE1 Gardening Leave, Royal Hospital Chelsea SW3 The Garden Museum SE1 Geffrye Museum Gardens E2 Gledhow Gardens SW5 Glengall Wharf Garden SE15 Gloucester Square Residents’ Gardens E2 Gray’s Inn WC1 Grove House Estate (Roehampton University) SW15 Growing Gardens Community Project at Deen City Farm SW19 The Growing Kitchen N1

Ham House and Garden TW10 Hanover Gardens W11 Hereford Square SW7 Highbury Stadium Square N5 The Hill Garden and Pergola NW3 HM Prison Holloway (special conditions apply) N7 Holland House Garden W8 The House of St Barnabas in Soho W1

48 33 70 62 40 24 25 34 54 88 101 48 88 101 49 79 25 24 49 25 63 88 41 35 41 88 70

Inner Temple Garden EC4 79 International Lutheran Student Centre Sunken Courtyard WC1 70 The Ismaili Centre Roof Garden SW7 89

Jamyang Buddhist Centre SE11 John Betts House W12

101 30

Kensington Gardens Square W2 63 Kensington Nursing Home (BUPA) W11 63 OGSWGuide 2014

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Garden name and postcode

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Kensington Square W8 King Henry’s Walk Garden N1 K+K Hotel George SW5

89 42 89

Ladbroke Square Garden W11 Lavender Pond and Nature Park SE16 Leinster Square Gardens W2 Lexham Gardens W8 Lillington & Longmoore Gardens SW1 Lincoln’s Inn Gardens WC2 Lloyd Square WC1

63 54 63 89 96 79 71

Manchester Square Gardens W1 71 Markham Square SW3 89 Marlborough House SW1 97 MaRoCoCo Garden at Rococo Chocolates SW1 97 Mecklenburgh Square WC1 71 Melissa Garden Bee Sanctuary N1 42 Merrick Square SE1 101 Middle Temple EC4 80 Montagu Square W1 72

The Wildlife Garden at the Natural History Museum SW7 Nevern Square SW5 Nomura International PLC EC4 Norland Square W11

Oaklands School Roof Gardens E2 October Gallery WC1 The Olden Garden N5 Osterley House Gardens TW7

89 90 80 63 50 72 42 14

Park Crescent NW1 72 Park Square NW1 72 Pembridge Square W2 64 The Phoenix Garden WC2 73 Pooles Park Primary School N4 18 Portman Square W1 73 Postman’s Park EC1 80 Pullens Yards (previously Iliffe Yard) SE17 102

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park E20 Queen’s Gate Gardens SW7

18 90

GREEN = new garden for 2014 Queen’s Wood Lodge Organic Garden N10

Ravenscourt Park Glasshouses W6 30 Red Cross Garden SE1 80 Red House DA6 22 The Regent’s Park Allotment Garden 73 NW1 74 Regent’s University London NW1 Ridgmount Gardens WC1 74 The River Café W6 31 Roe Green Walled Garden NW9 15 The Roof Gardens W8 90 Rookery and Streatham Common Community Garden SW16 26 Rosmead Garden W11 64 Royal College of Physicians’ Medicinal Garden NW1 74 Royal Crescent Gardens W11 64 Russell Square Gardens WC1 75 Rutland Gate South Garden SW7 90

St Angela’s Ursuline School E7 18 St Dunstan’s in the East EC3 82 St George’s Fields W2 64 St George’s Gardens WC1 75 St James Close N1 43 St James’s Gardens W11 65 St Joseph’s Garden EC1 81 St Joseph’s Hospice Garden E8 50 St Mary Aldermanbury EC2 83 St Mary’s Secret Garden E2 50 St Michael’s Convent TW10 26 St Paul’s Cathedral Churchyard EC4 83 St Peter’s Bethnal Green Church Garden E2 51 St Quintin Avenue Community Kitchen Garden W10 65 The Secret Orchard SE14 22 Share Community Horticulture Project SW17 27 Sir John Cass’s Foundation Primary School EC3 81 The Skip Garden, Global Generation N1 43 SOAS Japanese-Inspired Roof Garden WC1 75 South London Botanical Institute SE24 22 Spitalfields City Farm E1 54

Stanley Crescent Garden W11

The Compound, Stave Hill Ecological Park SE16

Stephens House and Gardens N3

Styles House SE1

Sunningdale Gardens W8

Sycamore House W6

Sydenham Garden SE23

T Community Garden at Tate Modern SE1 81 Thrive Battersea – Main Garden SW11

Thrive Battersea – Herb Garden SW11

Thrive Battersea – Old English Garden SW11

Thurloe Square SW7

Tooting Community Garden SW16

Triangle Garden W9 Trinity Church Square SE1 Trinity Hospice SW4

OGSWGuide 2014

V Valence House Museum Herb Garden RM8

W Walpole Park & Walled Garden W5

Walworth Allotment Association SE17

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Walworth Garden Farm SE17

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Warwick Square SW1

Waterlow Park Kitchen Garden N6

West Ham Park and Nursery E7

West Smithfield Garden EC1

White Hall Hotel WC1

William Morris Society W6

Wilton Crescent Garden SW1

Windrush Square SW2

Winsford Gardens SE20

Winterton House Organic Garden E1

Woollen House Communal Garden E1 55 World Peace Garden Camden NW3 35

Z Zander Court Club House E2

Don’t forget to let us know what you think of this year’s event www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/opensquares 106

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Organising the Weekend Open Garden Squares Weekend is organised by the London Parks & Gardens Trust. A part-time paid coordinator is supported by a volunteer organising team responsible for marketing, ticketing, selecting new gardensand managing the website. Freelance consultants are used for professional services such as design and PR.

managed, taking part and offering access to OGSW visitors on a voluntary basis. Our team of Volunteer Area Coordinators are responsible for maintaining relationships with gardens, local marketing and discovering new gardens, ensuring you have a lovely time when you visit.

The gardens are independently owned and

The Organising Team

Area Coordinators

Marion Blair Guided walks and logistics

A North West London Mark Middleton-Smith

Jock Blakey Weekend volunteers coordinator

B North East London Anne Greig

Cara Flynn Administrator, London Parks & Gardens Trust

C South East London Marianne Gass D South West London Jock Blakey E Hammersmith + Acton + Chiswick Nigel Dixon

Alison Fordham Communications coordinator

F Hampstead Bill Aldridge

Lori Hoy Marketing coordinator – ticketing, social media and e-commerce

H Hackney + Bethnal Green Fran Jones

Ed Ikin National Trust representative and gardens consultant

G St Pancras + Islington Dorothy Jones I

Docklands Fran Jones

J Lambeth Lynne Eva

Guy Jackson Designer

K Notting Hill + Bayswater + Little Venice Marion Parsons and Alejandra Perez

Sarah Jackson Guidebook editor and gardens consultant

L Marylebone + West End + Bloomsbury Susan Jellis

David Lowe Photography archivist

M City + South Bank Marion Blair

Martha Oakes and Sue Lancashire PR coordinators

N Kensington + Brompton + Chelsea Marion Parsons and Alejandra Perez

Robin Saklatvala Coordinator

O Belgravia + Pimlico +Westminster Andrea Charman

Janne Watson Assistant coordinator Colin Wing IT manager and cycle rides

P North Lambeth + Southwark Jock Blakey

Garden Representatives & Weekend Volunteers It takes over 1,200 dedicated volunteers to make Open Garden Squares Weekend happen including all the garden representatives and committees who prepare and open the gardens. There is also an army of weekend volunteers who so enthusiastically welcome visitors into the gardens, sell tickets and much more. The London Parks & Gardens Trust is grateful to everyone who contributes to making the Weekend such a success.

London Parks & Gardens Trust

President: Todd Longstaffe-Gowan Executive Chair: Mike Dawson Treasurer: Lisa Watson OGSWGuide 2014

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Protecting and promoting London’s green open spaces London is one of the world’s greenest cities, but its open spaces are under constant threat from development, inadequate funding and climate change. Safeguarding parks and gardens and creating new green spaces throughout Greater London is essential to the well-being and enjoyment of present and future generations of Londoners, as well as visitors to the capital. London Parks & Gardens Trust projects include: n Open Garden Squares Weekend www.opensquares.org n London Parks Discovery Project www.parkexplorer.org.uk n The London Inventory of Historic Green Spaces www.londongardensonline.org.uk

Join today...it will make a difference London Parks & Gardens Trust Duck Island Cottage St James’s Park London SW1A 2BJ Enquiries@londongardenstrust.org Answerphone: 020 7839 3969 www.londongardenstrust.org