London keeps secrets. And some of its deepest are the gardens it’s misplaced. Mislaid. Half remembered.
Step inside and the City changes. The noise softens. The buildings loosen their collars. The old stories stretch their legs.
Here are gardens that slipped between the paving stones of time. Gardens folded into church ruins and tucked behind iron railings. Gardens that outlived plagues and fires and fashions. Bunhill Fields where the great dissenting spirits rest.
The broad green sweep of Finsbury Circus. Pepys’ patch of sunlit peace. And a roofless church that looks as if the film crew packed up yesterday and left the spell behind.
Each season paints them differently. Spring’s quickening. Summer’s deep green hush. Autumn’s burnished sigh. Winter’s bare-boned poetry. The City wears them all.
These are not gardens you stumble upon. They’re gardens that call to you if you’re moving at just the right tempo. If you’ve tuned yourself to the older London beneath the newer one.
Follow us and feel the shift. Feel the centuries lean in. Feel the City remember itself.
And anything else? Yes. A new walk. A cracking guide. Sam. Have a look at his reviews. You’ll see why we’re so pleased.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
Nese –
Attendees were very appreciative of the time and effort put into organising the Secret Gardens walking tour and described it as interesting, enjoyable, fantastic, relaxing and well judged in terms of timing and length. Several people praised Sam’s thoughtful research, varied itinerary and enthusiastic delivery, noting that the tour included a good mix of locations, information and unexpected highlights.
Particular highlights mentioned included the rooftop garden, St Dunstan in the East, Blake’s grave and a location featured in an early episode of Slow Horses. The walk was also valued as a pleasant opportunity to spend time with colleagues after work and meet new people.
MK –
Thank you for a tremendous walk yesterday. Beautifully judged in terms of speed, time, length and locations. I loved the sky garden, Bunhill Field and St Dunstan in the East in particular.
Joyce –
Delightful oases of green and calm amid the noise and bustle of the city. Wonderful to see previously unknown gardens, and to visit the Bunhill cemetery. Sam was fluent and informative and we really appreciated his using a microphone headset – wish all the guides would do this!
Jan van Rijswijk –
Sam was verry helpfull and informatieve
Barbara James –
Great walk! It’s fun to see all those nooks and crannies (and larger areas) that you don’t ordinarily notice.
Anne-Marie –
Sam was the perfect guide, full of obscure and not so obscure information about the City of London Gardens. Full of humour and never dull, he made the 2 hour walk go so quickly and took us to little parks I would never have known about if I hadn’t done this walk. He encouraged interaction within the group too. A lovely and worthwhile afternoon.
Kerry –
A Walk with a Difference – a really lovely chatty walk with lots of interaction. Set in a different area to most walks , we saw new places. Really good walk