Discover an award-winning urban garden transformed by community volunteers into a vibrant, plant-rich oasis in central London.

Arlington Square Gardens is a remarkable example of community-driven urban regeneration in Islington. Once a neglected dustbowl in the 1950s, the square was beautifully restored starting in 2012 by dedicated volunteer gardeners from the Arlington Association who have planted tens of thousands of plants, trees, shrubs, and bulbs. The public garden now features diverse plantings including olive trees, palms, roses, wildlife gardens, and a wildlife pond, offering visitors a peaceful haven full of colour throughout the year. The gardens showcase seven exquisitely different private gardens alongside the public square, each reflecting unique gardening styles from exotic contemporary spaces to organic wildlife havens. Visitors can explore features including composting areas, rewilding initiatives, fruit and vegetable patches, herbs, beehives, and hard landscaping. The venue has earned numerous prestigious awards, including recognition as outstanding by the Royal Horticultural Society, a Gold Medal in London in Bloom, and votes as one of the nation's top ten parks by Keep Britain Tidy. Located just minutes from the City of London bustle, Arlington Square provides a tranquil escape for families and gardening enthusiasts alike. The square demonstrates how neighbours can forge friendships and transform a communal space into a beautiful, plant-rich destination. The site is accessible via multiple bus routes and a 15-minute walk from Angel tube station, with free parking available on Sundays.

Venue Details

What this place offers

Toilets

Public transport nearby

Accessible toilets

Free WiFi

Baby changing facilities

Food available

On-site parking

🐕Dog-friendly

Parking nearby

Pushchair friendly

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Neil Kelly

a month ago

Small but beautiful city garden plantes with palm trees (including two silver-blue Ceriferas), olives and other exotic plants. Really peaceful place.

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Janice Woodman

4 months ago

What a beautiful garden, so much colour and so well maintained. The volunteers who care for this public park should be proud what they have achieved.

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Caïna Verrin

8 months ago

Their bins ask for dog waste but then dogs aren’t allowed in? Someone’s cheese has slipped from their cracker, or they get humans defecating in here? Either way it needs addressing. Or someone has a 🐕 💩 fet!sh and wants to collect it, very disturbing. Seems to be a badger or fox den/set in one side of it which is nice. Aside from that it’s pretty basic and just like the other squares around and is still frequented by local cats and other life.

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Tati K

a year ago

The most beautiful garden in the neighbourhood. So well-kept, every spring we have different flowers, extremely beautiful and nice. Last year I was sure it was a professional garden designer working on those mix of flowers, herbs, plants, bushes. It was absolutely breathtaking. The best place to read a book or reflect, it's usually calm and not noisy. Such a gem to have nearby. I really appreciate that dogs are not allowed - it's very calm there, and also I can take my flat-trapped cat for a walk and she loves it there.

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Lorna

6 years ago

A really sweet little garden that was very quiet when I visited on a week day. Pretty plants and trees with a good amount of seating. Appears well maintained and tidy.

Reviews last updated: 7 October 2026