(Photo: Colin Wing)
Open:
Saturday 08:00–20:00
+ Sunday 08:00–20:00
Description:
Originally meadowland, the site was acquired in 1713 to serve as the burial grounds for the new churches of St George, Bloomsbury Way, and St George the Martyr, Queen Square. These were the first church burial grounds in London not to be sited next to their churches.
The first recorded case of ‘body-snatching' (the theft of corpses for medical research and teaching) took place here in 1777. Today the gardens are a peaceful retreat. The many large plane trees create shade, while imposing ivy-clad tombs and gravestones may be found throughout the gardens.
The site (restored in 2001 by the London Borough of Camden, with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund) now includes a new sensory garden created by the Friends of St George's Gardens near the Chapel of Rest. It was awarded a Green Flag in 2009.
Activities:
Drop by this peaceful open space for some time out. Information leaflets and representatives of the Friends of St George’s available from 10am-5pm on both days.
Entrance:
Handel Street (off Hunter Street), Sidmouth Street or Heathcote Street (both off Gray's Inn Road)
Nearest postcode: WC1N 2NU
Sells tickets.
Buses:
17, 45, 46
Station:
Russell Square/King's Cross
Dogs:
Dogs on leads
Further information:
Nearby Gardens (click on names for details):
Last updated: 26/05/2010