Garden Details
The Sanctuary Garden at Freedom from Torture
The Garden
The Freedom from Torture Sanctuary for Survivors Garden is a place of sanctuary, peace and hope where horticultural therapy calms, heals and restores survivors of torture on their journey to recovery. Designed by John Warland, a recipient of six RHS Gold medals, and award-winning garden designer Emma O'Connell, in conjunction with survivors of torture, the garden offers a curvaceous, immersive space where survivors can engage in therapy one-to-one, with family, or in a group.There is a communal bread oven that brings survivors together, and sculptural streams of willow enwrap the visitor and provide an organic place of refuge.The garden, which won a silver medal at the Chelsea Flower Show 2024, was relocated to Freedom from Torture's London Therapy Centre in Finsbury Park, where it is being used for horticultural therapy and other therapies for survivors of torture. Designed as a garden to bring people together and provide peace and calm, the garden features plants that may evoke happier homeland memories such as fig, nigella seeds, chickpea, pomegranate and the strawberry tree.
Gardener: Liam McPherson
Visitor Information
- Open
-
Saturday 09:30–18:00
- Activities
- Expert guides will be available all day to show visitors around the garden. Refreshments (cake, coffee and tea) and merchandise from the 2024 Chelsea Flower Show garden will be on sale throughout the day.
- Entrance
- Entrance to the garden is via the front entrance of the building on Iseldon Road.
Nearest postcode: N7 7JW - Buses
- Map of nearby bus stops
- Station
- Finsbury Park
- Toilets
- Accessible toilet on site
- Access
- Garden presents challenges for visitors with limited mobility.
Access to the garden is via a relatively narrow path and the surface can be uneven at times. A ramp is available where there are stairs. - Dogs
- Dogs on leads welcome
