Off to Mile End this morning - OK, so it's only one step further on the tube than usual, and surely it's all built-up, grimy inner city blocks? Well, no - just beyond the 'Banana ' Bridge (yes, it has a curved yellow underside) on Mile End Road, is an extensive park with fountains and some rather large iris, as in the photos. (Admittedly I'm cheating a bit here, as they were taken a couple of months ago - it was not good photography weather for most of this morning!)
Mind you, there's no limit to the excitement, really - on Monday afternoon I had to visit a learning charity on the Embankment, and couldn't help but admire Victoria Embankment Gardens, especially the rather flamboyant Buckingham Gate, built in 1626 (pictures later). It's a pity that most people know only the big royal parks, like Green Park, but I do love these smaller ones - so much more character, and often quite unexpected detours on the way through crowded areas that have little or no greenery visible.
6 comments:
It's amazing what you can find off the beaten track as it were. I always liked the Stuart Suckling Gardens in Norwich - just off Prince of Wales Road - which most people never even noticed when they walked past the entrance.
That would include both of us - we can't recall any gardens off Prince of Wales Road. Whereabouts?
If you go down the road - whose name I've completely forgotten - which is the next one down towards the station from Cathedral Street - there is a block of flats called Blickling Court and the gardens are opposite that block. Unless you'd actually walked down that road you wouldn't notice them. I'll try and find a picture on the internet or take one next time I'm in Norwich at the dentist.
PS - not sure I've got the name completely right either - but there is an impressive stone gateway which leads into them.
It's called the James Stuart Gardens and is off St Faith's Lane. It was opened in 1922 and money to finance its construction was provided by a legacy from Laura Elizabeth Stuart nee Colman - the city's first female JP. It is maintained by Norwich City Council now.
A former colleague of mine used to eat her sandwiches there most lunchtimes which was how I found out it existed.
Oh, OK - know where you mean, even if I've never found it. I've always liked the street names round there, Recorder Road, St Vedast Street etc, but never explored in detail - must have a look next time I'm there. Thanks for the tip-off!
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