The 10 best secret gardens in London

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Harry Fletcher2 May 2018

London is one of the greenest cities in the world and its residents are blessed with dozens of parks in which to escape the hustle and bustle of life in the capital.

However, while the likes of Hyde Park and Regents Park attract millions of visitors every year some of the city’s most charming green spaces are still largely unknown amongst Londoners.

Venture off the beaten path just a little and you'll find plenty of hidden treasures to discover across the city.

From tropical conservatories to secluded nature reserves, these are the best secret gardens in London.

St Ethelburga's Garden

Building works and high-rise office developments surround this gem of a garden in Liverpool Street, but don’t let that put you off. The green space outside the St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconcilation and Peace feels incredibly far removed from the hectic pace of the city, despite being right under the shadow of the Heron Tower.

78 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4A, stethelburgas.org

Isabella Plantation, Richmond Park

London's largest green space Richmond Park is full of fantastic places to discover but the Isabella Plantation towards the south of the park is a stunningly colourful spot and well worth seeking out.

Richmond Park, Kingston upon Thames KT2 7NA

The Barbican conservatory

The Barbican conservatory is the second biggest conservatory in London after Kew but it remains something of an unknown amongst most Londoners. It’s only open on Sundays, which may explain its relative obscurity, but this intriguing tropical space is certainly one to seek out.

Silk St, EC2Y 8DS, barbican.org.uk

The Pergola, Hampstead

The Pergola in Hampstead Heath is one of London’s hidden gems. The grand structure was built in 1904 by a wealthy landowner but gradually fell into disrepair and was engulfed by the surrounding foliage. Today there's real tranquillity to be found here and it’s a fantastic spot to enjoy a moment of reflection in north London.

The Pergola, Inverforth Cl, NW3 7EX

Highbury Square

Plenty of Arsenal fans gather outside the lovely art deco facade of their old ground on Avenell Road but many don’t realise a hidden square lies just behind. The green space here offers the chance to spend sunny summer days on what used to be the hallowed turf of Highbury.

Highbury Square, N5 1FE

Keats House

The charming and isolated gardens at Keats House in Hampstead inspired some of the most enduring romantic prose of the early 19th century, with poet John Keats living and writing here from 1918-20.

10 Keats Grove, Hampstead, NW3 2RR, cityoflondon.gov.uk

Walworth Allotment Association garden

As well as individual allotments Walworth contains a charmingly haphazard wildlife area which is open to the public on the weekends. Visit this South London setting and escape the city for a while.

225 Fielding St, SE17 3HE

The Phoenix Garden

This community garden around the corner from Covent garden in is a serene space perfect for a enjoying a moment of reflection. It's also one of London's most Instagrammable green spaces and perfect for a quick photo opportunity.

21 Stacey St, WC2H 8DG, thephoenixgarden.org

Garden at the Charles Dickens museum

Enjoy a coffee and leaf through a copy of Great Expectations at the Charles Dickens Museum courtyard and garden. Brunswick Square Gardens and St Andrews gardens are just around the corner but this Doughty Street location is one of Bloomsbury’s secret green spaces.

21 Stacey St, WC2H 8DG, thephoenixgarden.org

Barnsbury Wood

At just 0.35 hectares this hidden spot in Islington is the smallest nature reserve in the city. Next time you're in N1 make sure to visit this peaceful haven, nestled right next to St Andrew’s Church.

Crescent Street, N1 1BW

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