A Hidden City Garden

St. Dunstan-in-the-East

Tucked away in between Tower Hill and Monument lies a beautiful hidden garden where the sounds of the city escape and the weight of the world seemingly lifts. The rarity of finding a space in London so silent makes the experience rather eerie, add the fact that this Church was destroyed during the bombings in WWII and the experience becomes all the more dramatic.

The Church has had a rather tumultuous history since its construction back in 1100. In 1391 it was extended to add another aisle, it was almost completely destroyed during the fire in 1666 and (with the help of Christopher Wren) was restored and expanded, in 1817 it was found to be severely structurally compromised (the roof was found to be caving in!) and had to be rebuilt and then in 1941 was all but flattened during the Blitz with only the steeple, north and south wall of this historic church remaining. In 1967 the City of London turned the ruins into a public garden.

Today it offers isolation from the hustle and bustle of the city and offers a place for silent contemplation in a part of London steeped in history.

Bring a book, bring a sketching pad, bring a friend or simply visit alone and marvel in one of London’s hidden gems.

Cait Spencer

TripTide User