What is it? A 200 year old public park and former burial ground in the grounds of St Mary Magdalene Church.
Where is it? Set back from Holloway Road with Liverpool Road to the rear, N7 8LT. It has its own bus stop.
Why has it tickled our fancy? Popular with local residents, workers and school children it's also a cut through to Liverpool Road and a haven of tranquility and green space away from the red-route traffic of dusty Holloway Road. This time of year you can't help but be seduced by the scent of the roses, planted in rows of formal beds dating from the end of the 19th century. We keep seeing people stop in their tracks by the profligate floral display, inhaling the fragrance or retreat to a nearby bench to take in the glorious display.
Nature notes: In addition to the roses, there are also 39 plane trees and mature lime and ash trees providing welcome shade and lots of green grass to picnic or doze on. Birds like the garden, encouraged by a big bird feeder which was being attacked by feisty pigeons when we were there. There's also formal planting around the front of the neo-classical church, which always impresses if you spot it from the top deck of the 43.
View Londonist's Guide to Hidden Parks and Gardens in a larger map
