As my loyal readers know, I am a BIG fan of being outside whenever possible. And this past weekend provided ample opportunity with the first brilliant summer-esque days in London. I even wore shorts outside the house for the first time! My Big and her husband were coming down from Wales to stay with us for the weekend, and I procrastinated cleaning on Friday evening by wandering round Queen Mary’s Gardens.
Queen Mary’s Gardens
Annick Roses.
Queen Mary’s Gardens are within the inner circle of Regent’s Park (along with the open air theatre). Queen Mary’s Gardens opened in 1932 and is London’s largest collection of roses. (There are about 12,000 roses inside the garden and 85 different species.) But there are also many other beautiful flowers, including about 9,000 begonias. And the shrubbery is all planted to give you a sense that you have some seclusion from busy London. In a word, it’s paradise.
Whilst Sam and I were strolling around taking silly snaps, I heard my name shouted from the other side of the garden. And since Sam had the camera at the time, he captured the moment in a hilarious creepy paparazzi way. It was a fellow student from the drama school that I attended, who took the afternoon to do some work in the park (aka read ‘Game of Thrones’ outside). It just goes to show that you’ll always run into someone you know in Central London!
London skyline from the outer circle of Regent’s Park. I spy the BT Tower.
Gates to the inner circle of the park.
The sight that greets you upon first walking in to the rose garden.
Some of the rose names really made me giggle!
You’ll always see someone you know somewhere in London! Especially excitable Americans!
Catching some sun by a tiny waterfall.