Built between 1775 and 1786, Bedford Square is London's finest and most complete Georgian square, setting the style for garden squares in London through the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Many of the elegant surrounding buildings, with their distinctive Coade-stone entrances, were once fashionable townhouses, and are now home to offices. Pre-war iron railings enclose the large oval garden at the centre while shrubberies and mature London plane trees provide screening and shade. The garden comprises a large central lawn surrounded by herbaceous perennials and shrub borders. A restored summerhouse provides shelter.
Saturday 11 June: Pop-up exhibition of mixed media drawings by Nick Andrew of Bloomsbury's Square and Gardens (linktr.ee/nickandrew and bloomsburysquares.com). Garden Tours by Head Gardener Tom Abbott. Handout sheets for plant identification.
Picnics allowed.
Entrance
North side of square Nearest postcode: WC1B 3HH What 3 Words:
played.tooth.flops
Award-winning independent charity garden built and planted by the local community in 1983 on the site of a car park. Attractive for people and urban wildlife (including the West End's only frogs).
A hidden central London gem on the site of Charles Dickens' house, designed by architect Sir Edwin Lutyens and planted extensively with medicinal herbs.
Guest speakers discuss where nature meets art and architecture.
Café open.
Two-acre garden laid out in 1810-12, remaining close to the original design. Sections devoted to plants from New Zealand and medicinal herbs. Children's play area, tennis court.
