Ever wondered what’s tucked away in all those private gardens in the middle of London’s squares? Are they more than just spaces for toffs to engage in some al fresco humping, away from the eyes of us plebs? Well, this weekend, we get the chance to find out when Open Garden Squares Weekend gives us, the good public, full access. London has a whopping 600 garden squares, most of which you’ve never heard of. Over 100 of these are participating in the event, including more than 70 that are not usually open to normal folk. There is an entrance fee, though: £5 gets you an all-weekend pass to every garden.
At this point, you’re probably thinking ‘What the Dimmocks? Gardens? Pah! Boooorrrring! If I wanted trees and grass and stuff, I’d go live in Chipping Sodbury’. Well, there’s far more to see this weekend than a few flowerbeds. We’re promised historical tours, falconry, roof garden views, brass quintets, BEER!, tennis, bouncy castles, BEER!, and some BEER.
Always up for a patently impossible, self-imposed challenge, Londonist is going to attempt to visit all 117 listed gardens. We’ll bring you the highlights next week.
