London Secret Gardens and Squares

An Opportunity to Take a Peak into London’s Secret Gardens and Private Squares:

Tavistock Square Garden © Courtesy VisitBritain

For the gardening enthusiasts and those interested in discovering more about London, the London Open Garden Squares Weekend is an ideal opportunity to take a look into some of London’s private squares and secret gardens. Around 200 private squares and other hidden gardens in the capital will be open to the public during the 2011 Open Garden Squares Weekend which takes place in London on June 11–12.

This is the 13th year of the event, designed to highlight the important contribution that private community gardens and squares make to London’s environment.  This June the gardens open to the public include one on top of a supermarket, the gardens at Wormwood Scrubs prison and apartment 1A at Kensington Palace.

Not only do visitors get to enjoy these secret gardens and squares, but you also get to learn about their history. For example, the garden at the Jamyang Buddhist Centre in Kennington was once the exercise yard for prisoners of the Old Kennington Courthouse.

Buy in advance, and the ticket that allows entry to all venues over the weekend costs only £7.50.  If bought during the weekend, it costs £10.  Tickets will also be sold at the Britain and London Visitor Centre on Lower Regent Street, SW1Y 4XT and from all Capital Garden Centres. Tickets will go on sale on 5 May. Visits to Wormwood Scrubs and Kensington Palace need to be booked in advance. There are also free downloadable guided cycling and walking tours between the gardens for the weekend.

Event  : Open Garden Squares Weekend
Venue : Across London
Dates  : June 11–12.
Tel       : +44 20 8347 3230 (for ticket sales from 5 May)
Websites:
www.opensquares.org
www.capitalgardens.co.uk (tickets)
www.londongardenstrust.org/guides (bicycle and walking tour maps and podcasts)

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