Garden Details
Montague Street Gardens
The Garden
Hidden behind wrought‑iron gates opposite the British Museum, Montague Street Garden is a private 'secret' at the heart of The Bedford Estates. It was created in 1899 by the 11th Duke following the demolition of Montague Mews, once a cobbled stable yard with rooms above. The garden was laid out by Charles Fitzroy Doll, bringing structure and elegance to this newly reclaimed space. No original plans survive, but the gently swirling gravel paths and formal lawns remain distinctive beneath mature trees. Planting includes evergreen hedging, camellia beds, a pocket meadow and a bee garden supporting pollinators. Look for the sunken area, formed by wartime excavation for an air‑raid shelter.
Did you know?
- Montague Street Garden sits on the former site of Montague Mews, once a cobbled stable yard with rooms above.
- The ornamental garden was laid out in 1899 after the mews were demolished, but no original garden plans have ever been found.
- The garden was created by a team of specialists, including Charles Fitzroy Doll, with the wrought‑iron gate supplied from Munich.
- In 1899, the Estate even consulted local tenants on whether they preferred iron railings or a boundary wall around the garden.
- The sunken area in the lawn marks the excavation of a Second World War air‑raid shelter.
- Today, the garden is carefully managed to support wildlife, with camellia beds, a pocket meadow and bee hives alongside its lawns and trees.
Head Gardener: Jo Desborough
Visitor Information
- Open
-
Saturday 10:30–16:30
Sunday 10:30–16:30 - Entrance
- Large wrought iron gates between Montague on the Gardens Hotel and 21 Montague Street
Nearest postcode: WC1B 5BL - Buses
- Map of nearby bus stops
- Stations
- Russell Square, Holborn
- Cycle hire station
- British Museum (Map)
- Access
- Garden not fully accessible to wheelchair users.
Majority of garden paths are 20mm shingle - Dogs
- Only working assistance dogs
