The National Garden Scheme, Open Garden, will return to the UK on Saturday 17 April April and five completely unseen and untouched gardens in Connaught Village will be opened to the public for this special day. Gardens included within the initiative are The Water Gardens, Coniston Court, Devonport, The Quadrangle, and Reflection 2020.  Tickets for the event will cost £5 and must be purchased in advance here.

The five gardens on the Hyde Park Estate are owned and managed by the Church Commissioners for England and play a key part in the environmental and ecological strategy on the Hyde Park Estate. In 2018 they met the target they had set of ensuring that 10% of the Estate was ‘green’ – not only with the garden spaces but by installing planters on unused paved areas, green roofs on new developments and olive trees throughout Connaught Village, the Hyde Park Estate’s luxury retail quarter and one of London’s best spots for independent retailers and gourmet food and drink.

The five gardens that will be featured on Saturday 17 April are:

• The Water Gardens: The original ‘Brutalist’ garden was implemented in 1966 and completely refurbished in 2018 with all planting and paving lifted and replaced. This hidden treasure is suspended over a podium deck and features over 130 species, mature trees and lush vegetation interacting with Brutalist design elements, threaded through 1500sqm of large shallow ponds with aquatic vegetation and freshwater fish. Hidden corners allow the visitor to sit and enjoy a variety of views.
• Coniston Court: In such a densely populated urban setting, the need for a rich bio-diverse habitat is paramount. The ground plan is bold and graphic, containing distinct planting zones to provide contrasting vegetation patterns and textures. It is hoped that this landscape provides both a visually arresting design and an interesting and captivating garden experience for its users – the residents, who can stroll through and immerse themselves within the garden’s rich mix of planting styles.
• Devonport: Designed to be a quiet oasis in Central London and usually only seen by residents. This inner courtyard has dense mixed planting and set as a woodland garden with raised woodland bed. Garden also houses cold frame & nursery area for young plants. Also houses the cold frame and nursery area for young plants.
• The Quadrangle: These gardens are only ever seen by residents. Within the gardens are wildflower meadows and well established perennial planting. Themed borders in lower garden and island beds with architectural plants.
• Reflection 2020: In July 2020, the Reflection Garden was created as a welcome area of green space for reflection and seclusion for the residents at 25 Porchester Place.

Book your tickets here.