Open:

Saturday 09:00–20:00 + Sunday 09:00–20:00

Description:

In the Middle Ages this was the site of a Franciscan monastery and today’s garden is on the site of the Franciscan Church of Greyfriars (1225). Following the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII, it was converted for use as a parish church. In 1429 Richard Whittington, Lord Mayor, founded a library here.

Numerous well-known people, including four queens, were buried in the old church, which was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. A new church, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, was built between 1687 and 1704. The body of the Wren church was gutted by fire in 1940 during WW2 – only the west tower now stands.

The rose beds and surrounding box hedge outline the nave of Wren's church. The 10 tall wooden towers in the beds represent the pillars that would have once held up the roof. Today clematis and climbing roses weave their way up the pillars.

Entrance:

King Edward Street; not gated, open all the time
Nearest postcode: EC1A 7BA

Buses:

4, 8, 25, 56, 100, 172, 242

Station:

St Paul's

Dogs:

Working assistance dogs only

Further information:

• Street Map
• Map of nearby gardens
• Garden's web site
• Printable version