covert conservatory

This secret garden in the heart of the city is one of my favourite ways to greet the outdoors, without having to suffer any of the cold, wind and rain that falls down over London with the leaves in October.

Hidden within the concrete maze of the brutalist Barbican building is an unexpected oasis, ready to be explored. The Conservatory houses approximately 2000 species of tropical plants and trees, and is a planted playground that is nothing short of paradise. Exotic plants climb the concrete columns, blooms burst in rainbow colours, fish circle lazily in pools, as you delve deeper and deeper between layers of leaves; discovering, and mispronouncing, plants and flowers you never even knew existed. There is even a dry room containing a collage of cacti! I love finding unique and unexpected gems in the city, and The Conservatory is definitely that! Even if you're not so into plants, it's such a pretty place to hang out with friends, walking and talking, the perfect place to watch the world go by.

Best of all, visiting The Conservatory is completely free. It's only open to the public on Sundays, so do check dates beforehand, but if you're in the area on a Sunday, you really shouldn't miss the chance to visit. After all, who wouldn't want to while away a weekend discovering a hidden horticultural heaven.