"Victoria Embankment Gardens" Parks and Gardens Tip by toonsarah

London is rightly famous for its many large parks, but don’t neglect the smaller green spaces as well. One of my favourites is this triangular strip of gardens along the Thames just east of Embankment Station. The flower beds are always beautiful here, there are plenty of benches to relax on while perhaps eating a picnic lunch (and a lovely café too), a couple of pretty ponds and some fascinating old statues.

Among the latter is this classic Victorian memorial to the composer Arthur Sullivan (most famous for his partnership with W S Gilbert which produced many well-loved comic operas, and for the hymn Onward Christian Soldiers). The figure draped mournfully beneath the bust is a muse, and the inscription is taken from Gilbert’s libretto for The Yeoman of the Guard: “Is life a boon? If so, it must befall that Death, whene’er he call, must call too soon.” There is also a statue to commemorate the founder of the Sunday School movement Robert Raikes, and a rather lovely small camel dedicated to the Imperial Camel Corps.

On the north side of the park is an ornate gate, known as the York Gate. This is a water gate and once provided direct access to the River Thames from just below the Strand (which as its name suggests used to run alongside the river). You can see how far the water has changed its course. Elsewhere, look out for the historic Indian bean tree planted by the Queen in 1953 to mark her accession to the throne, and the site of the memorial garden set up in the immediate aftermath of the July 2005 terrorist bomb attacks in London. A more permanent memorial was later established in Russell Square, but a plaque remains here.

Directions: Take the tube to Embankment (Bakerloo, Circle, District and Northern lines), exit to the left of the ticket barrier and you’ll see the park entrance on your right
Website: http://www.westminster.gov.uk/services/environment/landandpremises/parksandopenspaces/veg/