Description
Festival Gardens is a captivating public garden located right in the shadow of the spectacular St Paul's Cathedral. Created in 1951 as part of the City of London Corporation's contributions to the legendary Festival of Britain, this beautifully sculpted green space serves as a brilliant urban retreat where historical architecture meets calm, structured nature. It is one of the best things to do with kids in the City of London if you are looking for a completely free, educational open-air park to add to your family sightseeing itinerary.
Visiting this historic public square is entirely free, offering an exceptionally budget-friendly stop for parents exploring the capital. Families can rest on benches along the beautifully paved terraces, wander the open pathways, and marvel at spectacular, uninterrupted views of the monumental cathedral dome. It provides a perfectly safe, secure, and relaxed environment where children can stretch their legs while learning about how London rebuilt itself following the Blitz.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that seamlessly merges spectacular post-war heritage, striking public art, and an outdoor relaxation spot, this historical garden is an ideal choice. It remains completely open to the public around the clock, providing an all-weather, flexible breathing space in the middle of London's bustling financial district.
Features
- Free
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
Key Features
- Festival of Britain Heritage: A historically significant green development constructed by architect Sir Albert Richardson as a permanent post-war memorial.
- Sunken Lawn & Borders: A beautifully manicured, rectangular grass lawn framed by low brick walls and vibrant, seasonal floral borders.
- Iconic Cathedral Vistas: Strategically positioned walkways designed specifically to provide unmissable photographic frames of St Paul's Cathedral.
- Historic Street Blueprint: A unique urban layout where the modern pathways, walls, and terraces map directly over the old network of medieval streets destroyed in the war.
Highlights
- The Ornamental Wall Fountain: A central architectural highlight of the gardens is the large Portland stone parapet wall fountain. Originally gifted to the site in 1951 by the Company of Gardeners of London, it features three striking bronze lion's-head spouts that steadily feed a line of fine water jets into a rectangular pool below. Children will love listening to the calming splash of the water while watching the ripples up close.
- The Young Lovers Statue: Positioned on a stepped stone plinth to the west of the main fountain pool is 'The Young Lovers', a life-sized bronze sculpture crafted by the celebrated Austrian artist Georg Ehrlich. Originally created in 1951 for an exhibition at Battersea Park, this captivating piece depicting a pair of seated figures was permanently installed here in 1973, adding a wonderful element of public art for kids to discover.
- The Old Change Commemorative Plaque: Mounted directly on the north end of the fountain's stone parapet is a historic plaque commemorating 'Old Change'. This marks the exact location of a historic, bustling medieval street that stood for centuries before being completely lost to heavy bombing during the Second World War. It serves as a great, real-world visual tool for parents to explain local history to older children.
- The Paved Terraces & Benches: Raised approximately three feet above the main Cannon Street pavement level, the garden features wide, flat paved terraces lined with numerous wooden benches. These elevated walkways give younger children a completely safe space to stroll safely away from traffic, while providing parents with a much-needed spot to supervise comfortably.
- Seasonal Cherry Blossoms: Depending on the time of your visit, the perimeter trees offer a magnificent display of natural colour. During the spring months, the cherry blossom trees burst into spectacular pink blooms, framing the historic white stone of St Paul's Cathedral dome and creating one of the most famous, family-friendly photo opportunities in central London.
Beyond the Main Attraction
- St Paul's Cathedral: Step directly next door to tour Sir Christopher Wren's architectural masterpiece, complete with family trails, multi-media guides for kids, and the famous Whispering Gallery.
- Carter Lane Gardens: A small, neighboring green square located a short walk away, featuring open lawns and additional seating spots.
- The Reflection Garden & City Gardens: Explore a trail of hidden pockets of nature scattered throughout the square mile, which are managed by the local corporation to promote urban wellbeing.
0.40 miles
