Open Garden Squares Weekend

November 22, 2011 | Post Author

sproutgarden

Put it in the diary

Better late then never as the saying goes. And hopefully it will get you planning for 2012

Open Garden Squares Weekend is a celebration of London’s Open Spaces. One weekend ticket provides access to numerous gardens and squares in London not usually open to the public. Other parks and gardens put on special events, such as jazz bands, all contributing to that festive atmosphere! In 2012 it takes place on 9th-10th June

http://www.opensquares.org/

The gardens that are open range from the simple shrubby garden squares that are open to the public all year and those locked private squares which are usually better maintained and more interesting. The real gems are those that you would’t know existed from lovely gardens in offices, art galleries, colleges and some interesting community projects.

Which Gardens to Visit.

A guidebook is available to order in advance or buy on the day and if course everything is listed on the website. http://www.opensquares.org/

In the two years that I have been I have tried to pre-plan a route of gardens to visit using the website but we never stick to it. My advice would be to pick one or 2 gardens that interest you in one area that’s easy to get to and then using the guidebook and maps just follow your instinct and the crowds on the day. We have generally found you can start at a garden you wouldn’t normally access and them walk via other squares and gardens to another real gem. Many of the garden squares lay on refreshments and sometimes other entertainment in the form of bands.

In 2011 we started our day at Ridgemount Gardens near Goodge Street and by the end of the day I visited about 10 gardens.