London’s green spaces: hidden gems 

London is a city of great parks – Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, and St James’s Park to name a few. However, if you want to get off the beaten track and find some of London’s most enchanting green spaces, you won’t have to look far as the City is teaming with hidden gardens, parks, and leafy enclaves.

Here are some of the most magical green spaces in London:

• The Cloister Garden, St John’s Gate, Clerkenwell EC1M 4DA

Hidden within the cloisters of the Museum of the Order of the St. John is this charming little garden, brimming with sweet smelling herbs and a range of medicinal plants. Open to the public, there are plenty of benches for whenever you fancy a quiet lunch or just 10-minutes to sit in the shade of the garden’s 200-year-old olive tree.

• Postman’s Park, St Martin’s Le-Grand, EC1A

You might want to linger in Postman’s Park for a while as it pays homage to city folk who have performed heroic deeds. From the Victorian age to the present day, there are beautifully glazed tiles in memory of those who died saving another’s life. It’s named Postman’s Park because it lies north of London’s old General Post Office. 

• Phoenix Garden, 21 Stacey Street, WC2H 8DG

Situated behind Charing Cross Road this community garden is maintained by volunteers and is a haven for wildlife. The nearby churchyard at St Giles in the Fields has weekly food stalls, which makes it handy for an al fresco lunch. It has been open to the public since 1984 and is one of Covent Garden’s last community gardens. 

• Red Cross Garden, 50 Redcross Way, SE1 1HA

Set aside to give the children of Southwark a place in which to play, this award-winning Victorian garden has been restored to its original appearance. With its cottage, bandstand and pond, it feels more like a village than a London location. 

• Bow Creek Ecology Park, Bidder Street, E16 9ST

In the shadow of Canary Wharf, this little nature reserve is situated on what was once an ironworks. The DLR runs through the park which means you can sit back and watch the hustle and bustle from a distance. It’s a great spot for bird watching with the Black Redstart a common sight. 

• St Dunstan-In-The-East, St Dunstan’s Hill, EC3R 5DD

One of the most charming of London’s green spaces, this lush garden is situated in the ruins of a Wren church. Purposefully overgrown and graced with a pretty fountain, you could wile away hours here.

• Barbican Conservatory, The Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS

If you are craving one of the best green spaces in London on a rainy day, then this oasis mixes lush greenery with the brutalist architecture of the Barbican. It’s free, but you need to book before you go.

• Japanese Garden Island, Regent’s Park

For a taste of Japan, visit this tucked-away Japanese Garden in Regents Park, complete with bridges and water features. At the top of the gardens is a secluded area with benches that is nearly always deserted.