Open:

Sunday 10:00–17:00

Description:

An award-winning garden in one of the Inns of Court, south of Fountain Court and extending to the Embankment. The name derives from the 12th-century residence of the Knights Templar, which was built on the site and whose round church still survives. Their refectory and ancient buttery were adjacent.

Traditionally this was the scene of the plucking of the red rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York. In 1602 Shakespeare's first presentation of Twelfth Night was held in Middle Temple Hall.

Today the planting is a mixture of herbaceous borders, rose beds and trees surrounded by lawyers' chambers and apartments. Elm Court is a charming, formal rectangular garden. The fountain in Fountain Court appears in Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens.

Head Gardener:

Kate Jenrick

Entrance:

From Victoria Embankment via Middle Temple Lane
Nearest postcode: EC4Y 9AT
Sells tickets.

Buses:

11, 15, 26, 76, 172, 341

Stations:

Temple, Embankment

Access:

Wheelchair users can access the majority of the garden except the raised section at the north end, which can be only be reached via steps. The remainder of the garden is a relatively flat area of lawn with perimeter paths of loose gravel.

Dogs:

Working assistance dogs only

Further information:

• Street Map
• Garden's web site
• Printable version