Take a sneak peek behind some of London’s loveliest leafy secrets. Garden squares are some of the most sought-after addresses in the capital. Here is our round-up of the best garden squares across the capital from Connaught Village and Marylebone to Regent’s Park with properties ranging from £650,000 to £10.25m.
Here is our round-up of the best garden squares across the capital from Connaught Village and Marylebone to Regent’s Park.
1.Montagu Square, London W1
Here is a square with a finely-tuned past. Jimi Hendrix, Ringo Starr and John Lennon have all lived on this beautiful square. It has a narrow oblong garden echoed by the tall narrow houses. This duplex is part of a shorter house, and is on the market for £3.5m. It has two bedrooms and overlooks the square. Its sister square, Bryanston, and nearby Portman Square are both open this weekend, as is Manchester Square Gardens, which is open on Sunday, 2-5pm.
2.Connaught Square, London W2
This smart address is home to former prime minister Tony Blair and TV presenter Claudia Winkleman. The fine Georgian houses were built in the 1820s and face the immaculate gardens. This five-storey-over-basement home boasts an endless swimming pool and a connected mews with a garage for the Porsche electric car that is included in the sale. You’ll need to find £10.25m to buy it. Connaught Square Gardens are not open for the weekend, but you can visit Portman Square, where the gardens are open on Sunday from 2-5pm.
3 Dorset Square, London NW1
Thomas Lord's original cricket ground was laid out on a piece of land known as Dorset Fields in 1787. Lord’s moved to St John’s Wood in 1811, when rents became too high, and Dorset Square became the centrepiece of a planned development by the Portman Estate. The gardens are for the use of residents, but will be open to the public this Sunday from 10am-5pm. This three-bedroom flat on nearby Glentworth Street is for sale for £1.4m. It is on the fifth floor of an attractive mansion block.
4.Bryanston Square, London W1H
The grand houses of Bryanston Square were built in the second decade of the 19th century. The communal gardens have magnificent old London planes set among other flowering trees. The rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, weigela, dogwoods, viburnums, mahonias, and hydrangeas, give a mass of colour at this time of year. This square is open this Sunday from 10am-5pm. This one-bedroom mews house is one street away from the gardens and is available to rent for £575 a week.
5 Hyde Park Square, London W2
This square has a long, rectangular garden surrounded by tall stucco-fronted houses with grand portico entrances. The garden is open to residents, so if you move into this two-bedroom apartment, you will be able to take advantage of the leafy space. The flat is available to rent for a long Let for £795 a week. While you have Hyde Park on your doorstep, hop onto the Tube at Lancaster Gate and go three stops to Holland Park. Nearby Norland Square is a charming open space that is also surrounded by stucco-fronted houses. It’s open on Sunday from 10am to 5pm and will have a large selection of cakes and biscuits available, along with hot and cold drinks.
6.Sussex Square, London W2
This four-bedroom apartment is on the first floor of a smart mansion block and overlooks the communal gardens. It is on the market for £3.15m. Sussex Square was home to Winston Churchill before he moved into 11 Downing Street in 1925. Several Bayswater garden squares are participating in the Open Garden Squares weekend. The nearest is Cleveland Square, which is open on Saturday from 12-6pm.
7.Porchester Square, London W2
Handy for Paddington station, Porchester Square is an attractive garden square and this two-bedroom duplex has a balcony overlooking it. There is also a private patio on the ground floor. This flat is for sale for £850,000. The nearest garden open for the special weekend is Cleveland Gardens, sister space to Cleveland Square, also open on Saturday from midday until 6pm.
8.Kensington Gardens Square, London W2
Surrounded by five-storey stucco-fronted houses built in 1858, the gardens are a tranquil oasis open to the public on Saturday June 9 between 10am and 5pm. One, two and three-bed apartments are available in this new development. They start at £650,000. Nearby Leinster Square Gardens is also throwing open its gates this Sunday between 2pm and 5pm. This garden is dominated by three majestic plane trees. The central one was planted on February 26,1887 to mark Queen Victoria's golden jubilee. The garden was rescued from decline by a group of residents in the late 1970s and given a full makeover in 2015.
9.Regent’s University Garden, London NW1
Ivy-clad buildings, originally Bedford College for Women, are surrounded by rolling lawns fringed by woodland. One of the mature planes has been designated a Great Tree of London, an honour given to a select few landmark trees. A secret garden tucked away behind high hedges features roses and tree ferns, as well as a pond and places where you can sit and contemplate. This garden is open this Sunday, June 10, from 2-5pm. This four-bedroom apartment on Baker Street is close by and is on the market for £2.1m. The purpose-built block has been home to both Arnold Bennett and HG Wells.
10.Wilmington Square, London WC1X
Wilmington Square was built in the 1820s and at its centre today is a pretty ornamental garden with winding paths and shady trees. It’s not open for the gardens weekend but Lloyd Square, a short walk to the north, is open on Sunday from 1pm until 5.30pm. This informal space is a charming riot of colour and well worth a visit. Back in Wilmington Square, this three-bed apartment is on the market for £1.35m.
