London's Green Spaces: St. Dunstan-in-the-East

If you’re new to London, or just visiting, you might think chances to see a bit of nature are limited to the big parks (full of tourists) or to the weekend, when you can escape to the countryside. Yet England’s capital is actually bursting with relaxing gardens, tranquil woodland walks and wetlands… if you know where to look. In this occasional series, we’ll be introducing you to some of London’s beautiful green spaces.

Just a few steps from the nearby office buildings, St Dunstan-in-the-East feels a world away.

The Forest of London?

Did you know that technically London is considered a forest? In 2002, the Forestry Commission named it “the largest urban forest in the world”. With some 65,000 areas of woodland or stands of trees, just under one fifth of London is covered with trees. This means you’re never as far as you think from woodlands, gardens, parkland, or a nature reserve. For the first in this series, we look at a small churchyard in the city, now a tranquil public spot.

St Dunstan-in-the-East

Wren’s steeple stands as a reminder of St Dunstan’s former role.

Hidden away in the heart of London’s financial district, the ruins of St Dunstan-in-the-East lie unnoticed by many. Yet for many others, they provide a peaceful haven from the office, an opportunity to take a breather and relax for a few minutes.

The original church was constructed here in Saxon times, and like so many English churches, it was expanded and rebuilt on several occasions. Sir Christopher Wren designed the steeple to repair damage caused by the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Further damage came during World War II. Bombs during the Blitz destroyed much of St Dunstan-in-the-East, leaving only the steeple and a few exterior walls. After the war, London began to rebuild. But with more than 1,000,000 homes destroyed by German bombs, the focus was on housing. The church ruins were left untouched…by man. Meanwhile, nature had its own ideas. Ivy and climbing plants wound their way along the walls and through the stone archways, creating an almost fairytale landscape.

In 1967, the City of London announced that the grounds of St Dunstan-in-the-East would become a public garden. The garden officially opened in 1971.

St Dunstan-in-the-East is located at St Dunstan’s Hill, within walking distance of Tower Bridge. It is open to the public daily from 8am to 7pm (hours may vary).