How often have you walked through some of London’s pretties streets wondering who lives behind the immaculate doors and large sash windows? I know I have. Those streets are usually tree lined and home to tall freshly painted Victorian or Georgian town houses surrounding a neat and well tended and usually locked garden square. And, if I’m honest I am almost more intrigued by the garden squares, than the houses. I love the idea of having access to a garden which requires a key and special permission. For me there is something very reminiscent of the Secret Garden about it.
My first real introduction to these squares was via the London Open Gardens Squares Weekend, which takes place in June each year and gives the general public access to all sorts of hidden London gardens. I thought unless you were fortunate to live around one of these squares, without attempting a Hugh and Julia type break in as seen in the Notting Hill Film, this was the only way in.
I have happily since discovered this is not the case. Luckily for us, there are a number of garden squares in London which are open to the general public. Like most of London’s hidden places and quiet spaces, you just need to know where to find them. I have had lots of fun recently discovering some of them and wanted to share some of my favourites.
Porchester Square Garden
This very traditional square is in the heart of Bayswater and just moments away from Royal Oak Tube Station. It is bordered by beautiful upright white and cream period houses. The gardens are neat and well tended and comprise of ordered flower beds and large well established London plane trees. There are benches well spaced around the edge of the lawns which provide lots places to sit and watch or read or think. There is a small children’s play area but it is cleverly hidden and certainly does not take away from this tranquil space.
Open: 8am – dusk
Tube Royal Oak
Westbourne Gardens
This is one of my favourite squares, although it is in fact shaped like a teardrop rather than a square. This small space tucked amongst large and imposing 5 storey Georgian London homes is very special. It is quiet and secluded and filled with bird song. On the spring day I was most recently there the sun was shining, the pretty flower beds were alive with daffodils and multi coloured primulas and the promise of warm days ahead felt very real. 
Open: Every Day
Tube Royal Oak
Princes Square – Imperial College, South Kensington.
Princes Square is located very conveniently between the Science Museum and The Victoria and Albert Museum just off Exhibition Road. This is a beautiful and consequently very busy part of London with tourists and Londoners alike. Princes Square is just a short walk from the busy museums, The Royal Albert Hall, The Albert Memorial and Hyde Park. This makes it the perfect place to escape to. There are two lawns surrounded by imperial college buildings and plenty of benches and places to sit. This is a lovely square to escape the busy museum trail. Bring your lunch or a flask of coffee and enjoy some tranquility surrounded by learning and history.
Open: Every Day
Tube South Kensington
Hanover Square Gardens
It has to be said, that the busy shopping district of Oxford Street is one of my least favourite parts of London. The crowds, large shops and endless jostling is not appealing and certainly not part of the quiet London which I am drawn to. However, if you do happen to find yourself in this part of London, you can escape. Hanover Square Gardens is moments from Oxford Street, John Lewis and Fenwicks. It is a fine place to escape with a coffee, and to find some peace and quiet and rest pavement weary feet. The Square is overlooked by a large statue of former Prime Minister William Pitt, seating lines the various paths in and out of the garden and there are lots of lovely grassy areas if you need to stretch out rather than just sit down.
I should add however, there are currently fairly major building works going on in the surrounding area so the square is not as tranquil as it might be, and at lunch times is currently fairly crowded with the local construction workers.
Open: Every Day
Tube: Oxford Circus
Grosvenor Square Garden
As London Squares go, this is a large one and rather less secluded than some of the others. It was originally a private garden for the surrounding houses which perhaps gives some idea of the prosperous area this was (and still is) The size however, does not take away from its beauty. In fact the generous proportions means it is easy to find a little patch of grass to call your own. Grosvenor Square is flanked by the US embassy and is home to a statue of President Roosevelt. In WWII it became the American centre of London.
Today a particularly lovely part of this garden is can be found on the east side where a Memorial Garden has been construted to commemorate the Britons who died in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre and Pentagon in 2001. This is a lovely peaceful, well tended part of the Square.
Open: Every Day 7.30am-Dusk
Tube: Bond Street / Marble Arch
All of these squares are beautiful places to be still, read, meditate, pray, think or just be quiet. I would love to know of any other recommendations of London Squares open to the public.
My daughter lives just a few steps from the Westbourne Gardens and yes, it is lovely !!! These all look so beautiful in their spring colors!
Somehow I’ve missed the Porchester Square Garden so will have to go there on next trip; thank you for the suggestion!
Author
What a lovely place to live. Westbourne Gardens is such a treat, and beautiful with all the spring blooms. I am sure you will love Portchester Square Garden too.
What an absolutely wonderful, inspiring post, Angie! Like you I know about the squares because of the Open Gardens Day and the film, Notting Hill, but I love the idea of being able to explore a few of them all year round. I’m saving this for future London explorations.
Author
Thank you so much Clare. It so kind of you to say so. I’m sure there are others too, I am trying to seek them out.
Princes Garden was a regular hangout of mine at one point because my son had a thing regularly of a Saturday in the area and my daughter and I needed somewhere to go that wasn’t too far away because, it turns out, there really are only so many times you can visit the Science Museum etc. You’ve brought it right back! What a great resource for those looking for a bit of peace and quiet as the shuttle around London.
Author
Thank you so much, and glad it brought back memories for you. Princes Garden is a welcome retreat from the busy nearby museums.
Ah it’s nice to see the greener side of London – tbf we have a lot of them but I do think they get overlooked in many blogs about the city… #FarawayFiles
Author
You are right Keri, London is so full of green spaces (thankfully) and are always a welcome retreat from the busyness of the city. I hope to write about more of them….
I agree – I love turning a corner in London to discover a pretty garden. Years ago I lived with a friend for a few months and they had access to a locked square – I thought that was so exciting. #farawayfiles
Author
Oh that must have been wonderful. I dream living somewhere that comes with a key to a locked square.
Just another quick visit from last week’s #FarawayFiles. Oxford Street is one of my least favourite parts of London too but I found a lovely square nearby recently when I was visiting the Wallace Collection. It’s Manchester Square and it’s so pretty although sadly only open to keyholders outside of Open Gardens Day.
Author
Thanks for visiting again Clare! Its always so disappointing when the squares are private (which mostly there are). Open Gardens Days is a great way of visiting them though. We have discovered a few gems in that way.
A friend of mine usd to live in a flat that came with access to one of the Notting Hill squares, she was always very popular in summer! Great post #FarawayFiles
Author
Thank you Catherine. Oh I can imagine she was. Its the dream!
I’ve been at Grosvenor square:)
What a lovely blog. My Grand parents, Great Aunt and God mother all lived on Kensington Square Gardens and my Great Aunt was the keeper of the key and guardian of the gardens…such fond memories.
Author
Thank you so much for reading and commenting. What a beautiful place to live and what a wonderful story. I’m sure you must have some lovely memories.