One of the best ‘secret’ gardens in Europe is in London

London has no shortage of green spaces that are ideal for when you want to duck heaving crowds of tourists or need shade from the intense summer heat. In fact, there are roughly 3,000 to choose from. There are, of course, the sprawling expanses like Hampstead Heath or Regent’s Park, but everyone knows about those. For real peace and tranquility in London, head for a little, lesser-known garden instead. 

We’ve got our own list of the capital’s best secret gardens but now, one of them has been named one of the best in Europe’s finest urban gardens. The Guardian has revealed its pick of the ‘10 of the best secret gardens in Europe’s major cities’, and one of them is small community haven a stone’s throw from some of London’s busiest attractions.

What was, just four years ago, a neglected patch of concrete in Victoria is now The Onion Garden – a thriving not-for-profit green hub and one of the Guardian’s best urban gardens in Europe. 

Tucked away on Seaforth Place in Westminster – a 10-minute walk from Buckingham Palace – the space was founded by ‘chief onion’ Jens Jakobsen in 2021. True to the name, it’s home to a bountiful population of onions, some growing from the soil, some hung from branches and some used to create installations. Complete with a greenhouse and cosy pavilion cafe, it  also regularly hosts local choir performances, craft workshops, gardening classes and art exhibitions. 

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The Guardian said: ‘According to the tour guide Jack Chesher, it was a “derelict concrete corner” until late 2021, when it began to be transformed into the “hanging gardens of Westminster”. The pocket park now has more than 200 species of plant – including a fair few onions – and displays artworks such as mosaic wall art and sculptures.’

The Onion Garden is open on weekdays from 7.30am to 5.30pm (until 10pm on Thursdays) and from 8.30am-4.30pm on weekends. 

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