Home to the rich, famous and a few folks who got lucky on Rightmove, London's garden squares have long been the envy of those without access to them. Hiding in every corner of the city they've been the setting for everything from star-studded cinema to notorious gangland violence, and these days they're perfect for a summertime stroll or a crisp winter walk. With so many stunning spots to choose from, we've put together a whirlwind tour through our personal highlights with plenty of historical tidbits to tide you over.
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Addington Square
This pretty south London square may look like butter wouldn't melt, but believe us when we say it used to sizzle. Back in the 1960s, Addington Square was the HQ of The Richardsons, a gang who were sworn rivals of the Kray Twins. Allegedly some of the most sadistic mobsters on the scene, Charlie and Eddie Richardson ran a private drinking club in one of the premises, which doubled as a kangaroo court and torture chamber on off nights. On top of that they had two dancing bears in residence, which, on one occasion, managed to escape onto Camberwell Road. Nowadays, the peaceful space is popular among office workers on lunch and film crews alike, with three sides backing onto Burgess park preventing any through traffic - ideal for a relaxing stroll.
Sat next to Burgess Park,
this pretty square houses some grizzly history.
Tredegar Square
One of Mile End's most handsome terraces, the aesthetic Georgian enclave of Tredegar Square has to make it on our list of garden squares in London. Used for farmland until the early 1820s, it was bombed heavily during The Blitz, with gardens dug up and the trenches used as air-raid shelters. In its dilapidated post-war state it narrowly missed becoming rubble, but thanks to some fighting from local residents is now fully covered as a conservation area. But the best bit of gossip from its gorgeous Georgian past? The rumours of a scandal-soaked all-male brothel housed in one of the particularly fancy premises.
This Georgian square in the heart of
Bow was once the home of some salacious premises.
Trinity Church Square
Looking for an open garden in London for 2024? With a picturesque private square and views of The Shard, Trinity Church Square is one of Southwark's best hidden gems, and you can visit between 10am and 6pm on Sundays. Walking into the pretty space you'll immediately notice the impressive front of Henry Wood Hall - the city's first purpose-built orchestral rehearsal space. However it's the garden itself that offers up the real prize here as it houses what's believed to be London's oldest free-standing statue - a stone figure of King Alfred the Great that historians claim was originally commissioned by Richard II in 1395.
One of the most illustrious rehearsal
spaces in classical music sits in this Southwark square.
Claremont Square
While Islington is home to some of the most lusted-after living spots in the capital, it's Claremont Square that takes the historical biscuit. Away from the lofty gardens of Barnsbury this Pentonville plot covers part of a 17th century man-made river which originally carried drinking water from Amwell Springs in Hertfordshire down to the Islington reservoir. But the magic doesn't stop there - keen Potter fans may know the surrounding street a little better as Grimmauld Place, the family residence of Sirius Black.
This humped Pentonville park hides a
17th Century man-made river and reservoir.
Rosmead Square
While most of Notting Hill knows how to rope in the Insta-punters, Rosmead Square probably picks up the most foot traffic thanks to its silver screen credentials. Many aspects of the area owe their notoriety to Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, and this charming walled garden is no different. The setting for an iconic moonlight walk - and the first on-screen utterance of 'oopsy daisy' by a romantic lead - it's certainly one of the most famous garden squares in London.
You may recognise this Notting Hill
beauty from the film that made the area iconic.
Grosvenor Square
Offering a slice of nature right in the heart of the city, Grosvenor Square in Westminster is one of the larger gardens on our list of London squares. Now the second largest in the whole city, the spacious green area has been around since 1710, made open to the public after the Second World War. It was designed by gardener John Alston in the 1720s to champion biodiversity, and this remains true in the 21st century. In the 1920s, four of the surrounding houses were home to members of the Bentley Boys - who's all-day parties and large green sports cars become famous in the local area.
Enjoy a little inner-city nature at Grosvenor Square.
Berkeley Square
Located in the affluent area of Mayfair, Berkeley Square Gardens are some of the most beautiful around. This Garde II-listed, English Heritage-protected space was designed in the 1760s - flaunting striking marble statues and an oval-shaped centre surrounded by benches - ideal for relaxing on. While surrounded by grand townhouses, only one building remains entirely residential, with many offices taking up the other floors nowadays. There have been a number of famous residents here in the past though, including former Prime Ministers Winston Churchill and George Canning, as well as the inventor of Rolls-Royce.
Many a famous face has walked through this garden.
Looking for more outdoor curiosities around the capital? Check out our guide to secret gardens, and sign up to our newsletter to stay in the know.
