Somewhere between the London Bridge and the Tower of London, resides a verdant "secret garden" inside the ruins of a gothic church. This is St. Dunstan-in-the-East.
A TRANQUIL OASIS
Often overlooked by first time visitors to the city, St. Dunstan is a must-see hidden oasis. Upon entering through one of the gothic arches, I found myself transported to a lush tranquil garden. Green vines covered ancient walls, flowers were in bloom, and trees gently swayed in the breeze. It felt like I had passed through a portal and entered into Rivendell!
The early morning rain had left a lovely smell of petrichor in the air. People were out enjoying their lunch, relaxing on benches, and chatting with friends. There was even a band doing a photo shoot near one of the cathedral windows!
The footprint of the garden may be small, but this hidden gem feels grand. Since I've always felt a sense of romanticism for gothic ruins covered with greenery, St. Dunstan was truly one of the highlights of my second visit to the city.
HISTORY OF ST. DUNSTAN
The grounds of St. Dunstan-in-the-East have a history dating back over 900 years. The garden is set in the ruins of an ancient church that was originally built in 1100. Additions and repairs were made in 1391 and 1631. The church was severely damaged by the Great Fire of London in 1666, and severely damaged once more during the Blitz in 1941. Only the tower and steeple were left unscathed.
In 1967, the City of London started transforming the ruins into a garden and opened it to the public in 1971.
PLANNING YOUR VISIT
St. Dunstan is located at: St. Dunstan's Hill, London EC3R 5DD. If you're taking public transportation (which you should, since this is London after all) it is a short walk from the nearest tube stations Monument or Tower Hill. Be quiet and respectful when you visit.
Admission is free. Opening hours are 8am to 7pm or dusk (whichever is earlier). The garden is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day.
Please note the space is available to rent for special events and commercial shoots, so there could be days where certain areas are reserved.
For the most updated information, please visit the City of London's website.
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