Low-Profile Highlights of London's Financial District

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A June 2006 trip to London by Esigodini

Quote: The City of London usually conjures images of high finance, of St Paul’s Cathedral, and of the Tower of London. It is also home to some beautiful lower-key green spaces—the perfect complement to the grander appeal of its bigger attractions. This journal includes a selection of my favourites.

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Low-Profile Highlights of London's Financial District

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Overview

Quote:

The City of London usually conjures images of high finance, of St. Paul’s Cathedral, and of the Tower of London. It is also home to some beautiful lower-key green spaces—the perfect complement to the grander appeal of its bigger attractions. This journal includes a selection of my favourites. While a big attraction of these green spaces is as a relaxing counterpoint to the noise and activity around them, they have several low-key highlights in themselves. St. Dunstan’s-in-the-East is the only ruined church (complete with creepers and tropical plants) that I know in London. The creeping vines, trees, and flowers among the hollow walls and windows are very beautiful and, as a bonus, a...Read More

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Postman's Park

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Attraction | "Postmans Park"

Quote:

Nestling among the towers of the City of London, small Postmans Park is home to palms, a mossy goldfish-stocked fountain, and the interesting Watts Memorial. It is indeed a pleasantly peaceful patch of green in the bustling city.Postmans Park was opened in 1880, and is on a site previously occupied by several neighbouring churchyards. While old headstones are stacked around the edges, the Watts Memorial is a fascinating memorial to “ordinary heroes.” The Watts Memorial was erected in 1900 and, unlike almost all other London memorials, commemorates the heroism of ordinary people. The wall of beautifully-inscribed plaques includes descriptions that are both poignant and an interesting evocation ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 6, 2006

Postman's Park
Between King Edward St. and St. Martins Le Grand
London, England

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Bunhill Fields Graveyard

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Attraction | "Bunhill Fields"

Bunhill Fields Photo - Bunhill Fields Graveyard, London, England

Quote:

In a city of churchyards, Bunhill Fields is unusual in being a purpose-built graveyard. It holds the graves of several famous “dissenters” – Jonathan Swift, Daniel Defoe, John Bunyan, George Fox, William Blake—and is also a pleasantly relaxing enclave in the busy city.Bunhill Fields sits on the northern edge of the City of London, opposite Wesley’s house and museum. Although it is not close to any of the City’s major tourist attractions (St. Paul’s, the Tower of London, the Museum of London, the Monument), its small quota of celebrity graves makes it a minor attraction in itself. It is also a pleasant, leafy, and quiet place to escape from the noise of the city.While Bunhill Fields has...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 6, 2006

Bunhill Fields Graveyard
City Road
London, England

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Cleary Garden

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Attraction

Cleary Garden Photo - Cleary Garden, London, England

Quote:

Just up Queen Victoria Street from the Millenium footbridge linking Tate Modern and St. Paul’s Cathedral, sunken Cleary Garden is easy to miss. That would be a pity, because it is a wonderfully relaxing and quiet enclave in a particularly busy part of town.Facing busy Queen Victoria Street, the benches on the northern side of Cleary Garden give little hint of the green terraces and vine-hung trellises just behind them. Heading down the stairs next to the benches, you come to a secluded garden of climbing roses and leafy vines. There are more benches in the shade of the vines, and a pleasant patch of south-facing lawn if you prefer to catch a bit of sun.Like many of the City of London’s...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 6, 2006

Cleary Garden
Queen Victoria Street
London, England

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St. Dunstans in the East

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Attraction

St Dunstans in the East Photo - St. Dunstans in the East, London, England

Quote:

Ruined St. Dunstan’s church is a lush and peaceful haven, slightly off the well-trodden path and near the Tower of London. I like to visit at lunchtime, and also think that it would be a great place to mellow out after an action-packed visit to the Tower.St. Dunstan’s church was built in 1100, partially rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the fire of London in 1666, and then severely damaged by bombs in 1941. Its roof, and most of its walls, have not survived and now it is home to a surprisingly-lush and exuberant collection of creepers and tropical plants. There are also benches and grassy patches to loll around on, and a low-key gurgling fountain to doze to. It took me a few years ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 6, 2006

St. Dunstans in the East
Between Gt Tower St. And Lower Thames St.
London