In an English country garden . . . or several.
Despite disruptions on the Hammersmith and City line, intrepid members from Chiltern and London IVCs descended on the Notting Hill area of London to experience London Open Squares Weekend. Now in its 10th year, this unique event allows members of the public unrivalled access to over 170 of London’s most delightful and secret garden squares.
The London garden square is one of the capital’s most popular and valuable features, with a rich history stretching back to 1631 when the Covent Garden Piazza was completed. By the late 18th century the square design had been perfected.
After lunch, alfresco, in the Lighthouse-West courtyard garden it was on to green and pleasant Lansdowne and Elgin Crescent Garden to stand under the welcome shade of its collection of fully mature leafy trees and take in the scent of lavender and mock orange.
In Arundel and Elgin Communal gardens we were treated to live cello music while enjoying refreshments and home made delicacies provided by the residents and their children.
In all we managed to fit in eleven gardens each surprisingly different in feel and style of gardening finishing up with the “Jewel in the Crown” the seven-acre Ladbroke Square Garden which was the site of a failed race course venture in 1837.
All who went agreed they had had a wonderful day out and are already thinking about which gardens to visit next year!
June 2008 Bulletin Editor