Image credit: John Lord / Geograph Britain and Ireland / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0 · 2011-08-24 ↗
St George’s Gardens
Bloomsbury · Euston → Bloomsbury → Soho · Hidden garden / historic burial ground
Story
Just minutes from major thoroughfares, this surprisingly evocative garden offers a tranquil refuge where time seems to slow down. Upon entering, visitors are enveloped by dense foliage and large plane trees casting generous shade over a landscape dotted with ancient gravestones, many leaning and ivy-clad, emerging from the grass like silent witnesses. The atmosphere is that of a rural cemetery, carefully hidden in the heart of Bloomsbury, seemingly untouched by London's bustle. This site is the result of the amalgamation of the old burial grounds of two nearby parish churches: St George the Martyr, whose church stands in Queen Square, and St George Bloomsbury, located on Bloomsbury Way. These plots were established in the early 18th century, set apart from their main churches, to accommodate the increasing number of interments that were overwhelming parish churchyards within the City. Demographic pressure and public health concerns in a rapidly expanding London made continued burials in cramped spaces unfeasible. Thus, in 1713, the parish of St George the Martyr acquired the southern portion, followed by St George Bloomsbury, which purchased the northern section in 1716. For over 150 years, these grounds served as the final resting place for thousands of Londoners, from the most humble to notable figures. However, in the mid-19th century, public health acts prohibited urban burials, and these churchyards, like many others, fell into disuse. In 1884, after a period of neglect, both were transformed into a public green space, a 'garden of rest', responding to the growing demand for parks and recreational areas in an increasingly industrialised and dense city. Today, the garden's Victorian design, with its winding paths and mature trees, retains the memory of its funerary past, and some of the old crypts and monuments that were integrated into the new landscape can still be discerned. This place is not only an oasis of calm but also a valuable example of how London has managed to repurpose and transform its historic spaces, adapting them to the needs of its citizens without completely erasing the traces of its past.
What to look for
Look for the leaning, ivy-covered gravestones, the large plane trees casting their shade, and the isolated monuments dotted across the grass. The overall feeling is that of a rural burial ground hidden right in the heart of Bloomsbury.
Secret detail
This tranquil garden was originally the separate burial grounds for two Bloomsbury churches, St George the Martyr and St George Bloomsbury, established away from their original churchyards.
Where exactly
Enter St George’s Gardens through a public gate (the principal entrance is on Handel Street, next to the former Chapel of Rest) and make your way to this interior point. You will find yourself in a spot from which to appreciate the tombs and trees.
Orientation
From this point, look roughly East-Northeast (around 67°), then take your time to wander the garden paths slowly.
Why it matters
This garden reveals how London repurposed and transformed its former burial spaces. It is a silent witness to urban evolution and the need to adapt the past to the demands of a constantly growing city, offering an oasis of calm in a bustling neighbourhood.
Access & opening
Subject to park gate times and temporary maintenance closures; check current Camden information.
Free
We never show live status. Check opening hours before you go.
Accessibility
Main paths are garden paths; route-level surfaces and gate access should be checked before step-free guarantees.