Author Archives: leafshade
Open Squares Weekend 11 & 12 June
It’s time for Open Garden Squares again, after two years of Covid disruption. Most of the Bloomsbury Squares are open to the public, but there’s a rare chance to visit the closed gardens of Bedford Square, Montague St Gardens and Mecklenburgh Square. Nick Andrew, an artist of the outdoors, will have an exhibition in Bedford […]
Alfred Place, Bloomsbury’s newest green space
The street between Store St and Chenies St, once little more than a carpark, has been transformed into Bloomsbury’s newest green space, just off Tottenham Court Rd. Although recently planted and still to fully flourish, it provides a welcome green corridor among office blocks and a new, fairly quiet space to sit for a while.
Chelsea Fringe: Sketching in the Bloomsbury Squares
The Chelsea Fringe festival is 11 years old, now worldwide, and will have events in Bloomsbury this year! Community gardeners, artists, activists and anyone with an interest in gardens, plants and outdoor space have a chance to get involved and do something fun and positive. Nick Andrew, an artist of the outdoors, will be sketching in […]
Tree walk in St George’s Gardens 15 May
Walk and Talk in the Gardens with Bob Gilbert 3.00 pm, Sunday 15 May Join this Spring walk and talk in the Gardens with the popular Bob Gilbert, arranged by Friends of St George’s Gardens. Bob is the author of ‘Ghost Trees – Nature and People in a London Parish’, and ‘The Green London Way’. […]
No Mow May in Bloomsbury garden squares
The University of London is taking part in No Mow May across their managed gardens in Bloomsbury. This means their grass will be spared the cut for the whole month. No Mow May is a national campaign by Plantlife. The benefits are: Providing more nectar for ten times the amount of bees, butterflies, moths and […]
Beelines in Bloomsbury
Not only did this nature note appear in The Times last week, it was also read out on the Today programme on Radio 4. Fame for nature in the area of Bloomsbury’s garden squares! Marchmont Community Garden, a tiny green space among buildings, has some of the yummy-for-bees plants mentioned. The garden Friends groups in […]
The Queen’s Green Canopy in Brunswick Square
To mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, a massive tree-planting initative is being rolled out this year under the title The Queen’s Green Canopy. It can be hard to find space for a new tree in Bloomsbury, but this week, in a space left vacant by an old tree that had died, the Mayor came to […]
Wellbeing walks – new season
The Association of Bloomsbury Squares and Gardens invites you on healthy, brisk walks around Bloomsbury with the expert Camden Guides.* Just turn up on the day for a one hour circular walk.Spaces limited – allocated on a first come, first served basis. Walks will go ahead in all weathers. Free of charge. Day Date Time […]
The Bloomsbury ‘garden gangs’
Otherwise known as the amazing volunteers who help to look after the gardens in the squares. They were out in force on the first weekend of February and would be delighted if you’d like to join them in future. The usual pattern of work is first Saturday in Brunswick and Red Lion Squares (except March […]
New season start for volunteer gardening
The new season starts in Brunswick Square and Red Lion Square on Saturday 5 February and continues on most first Saturdays of the month (see below). Just turn up and join in – bring your own gloves if you can, everything else (including advice!) is provided. Volunteers come as and when they can, not necessarily […]
Bloomsbury Squares & Gardens 