Most Londoners will be more than familiar with Regent’s Park. It’s an expansive spot with elegant flower gardens, water fountains, a lake perfect for boating, excellent sports facilities, a zoo, and even a university. It’s the perfect place for the quintessential British picnic in the park. But what you may not know is that the park hides a gorgeous secret garden brimming with history.
Located along the Inner Circle of Regent’s Park you’ll find St John’s Lodge and Gardens. Now, admittedly the residence that it’s attached to is currently private. But luckily for us, the garden is open to the public.
The Garden
The garden opened to the public in 1928 after a government decision that more of Regent’s Park should be accessible to the public. That means all members of the public are now free to explore the verdant wonderland to their heart’s content.
The garden really took shape under the occupancy of Lord Bute, who commissioned Robert Weir Shultz in 1888 to create “a garden fit for meditation”. And we have to say – we reckon he succeeded with what he created!
Visitors enter the garden through Arbour Walk, an arched pergola tunnel that blooms wisteria flowers come spring as you head towards a garden wonderland. You’ll have to keep an eye out because the entrance is very discreet. But we think this just adds to the allure and mystery of the garden.
Arbour Walk leads you to the stunning rose garden that blooms around a statue of Hylas and a nymph proudly perched in a fountain pond. In Greek mythology, Hylas served and was the companion of Heracles.
When the flowers are in bloom it’s truly a gorgeous sight and an indicator that spring has finally sprung in London. St John’s Gardens really is the perfect place to take a moment and stop and smell the roses.
Along the garden’s twists and turns, you’ll also find giant urns brimming with flowers and impressive statues. It’s a delightfully secluded private spot for a tranquil moment in the heart of London. It’s also perfect for getting away from busy Regent’s Park when Londoners descend upon the parks in the warmer months.
The St John’s Lodge
The garden features a sunken lawn with hedge borders that lead up to the villa itself. And while you can’t access the property itself, you can get a decent view of the top of the villa. You may even be able to catch a cheeky glimpse through the hedge. Lined with benches on either side, the sunken lawn is a delightful spot to hunker down on a sunny day with a book or for a meditative moment, just as Robert Weir Shultz intended.
The St. John’s Lodge Gardens were originally part of the villa of St John’s Lodge. The property was built in 1812 and was designed by John Nash, a British architect best known for his development of Regent’s Park. Only St John’s Lodge and The Holme remain as the two villas from Nash’s original plans for the park, which even included a royal palace.
The villa was originally designed for Charles Augustus Tulk, an English Swedenborgian politician. However, the villa was constantly redesigned with new wings added and interiors redecorated as new occupants came and left. With each new resident, the villa became grander and grander. Past owners included Lord Wellesley, the first Governor-General of India, and Sir Isaac Goldsmid, a financier and a key figure in the Jewish emancipation in the United Kingdom.
The villa was used as a hospital for disabled officers during World War One, and was later leased by St. Dunstan’s Institute for the Blind. From 1937 to 1959, the residence was occupied by the University of London’s Institute of Archaeology. It was subsequently home to the History and Classics department of Bedford College between 1959 and 1983.