A sequestered spot in Regent’s Park
At the heart of one of London’s largest parks, an enchanted garden with a surprisingly intimate character is hidden away. It originally belonged to St John’s Lodge, which was built in 1819 as one of 50 houses that were intended to make Regent’s Park the finest residential area in London. This was part of an ambitious project planned by John Nash, who laid out Regent Street at the same time. Nash built the grand terraces that still stand all around the park, with their views of the lake, trees and lawns, but only two of the planned 50 detached residences were completed.
After several changes of owner (it is now in the possession of the ruling family of Kuwait), St John’s Lodge was bought in 1888 by the Marquis of Bute, who desired a garden »suitable for meditation«. The secluded garden created for him became part of the public park 40 years later. To find it, go to the north-eastern segment of the park’s Inner Circle and look out for an inconspicuous gate, behind which a path leads to St John’s Lodge Garden.
Info
Address Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, NW8 | Public Transport Regent’s Park (Bakerloo Line) | Hours Mon–Sun 7am until dusk| Tip The Regent’s Bar & Kitchen within the Inner Circle adjoining the wonderful Queen Mary’s Garden serves afternoon tea, snacks and main meals (daily 8am–5pm or later, up to 9pm in summer).
Accurately clipped hedges and densely growing shrubs divide the garden into a succession of separate spaces. In the summer months, the flower beds are full of luxuriant blooms in harmonious colour schemes – for the pink-to-purple spectrum, for example, roses are planted next to campanula, matching lupins and cranesbill. The geometric layout of the garden frames views of the Lodge. Bowers covered with climbing plants provide shade, elegant seats invite visitors to settle down for the afternoon with a good book and, just as the Marquis of Bute wished, works of art furnish food for contemplation. A sculpture on the round pond depicts the youth Hylas, whom water nymphs are pulling down into the depths. According to the Greek myth, Hylas never resurfaced – and this garden is a spot from which you will not want to re-emerge into the noise of London.
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