Finsbury Circus is said to be the oldest public park in London, dating from 1606. The garden was originally part of the Finsbury Manor Estate, and today is the largest of the City’s gardens with an area of over two hectares. It has a traditional formal layout with mature trees and shrubbery around the perimeter, and wide lawns, plus flowerbeds, and contains the City’s only bowling green towards the centre. The gardens are open from 8am to 7pm or dusk, whichever is earlier, expect for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Finsbury Circus
Borough: City of London
Grade: Local
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 0.74 ha
Description
Wildlife
The trees include several mature London plane and common lime. Shrub borders are planted with camellia and fatsia. The garden also contains the oldest specimen of pagoda tree in the City. The garden is very popular in the summer months, so the lawns appear heavily used with several areas of bare soil. Box hedges surround the bowling green. Blackbirds nest in the square and parties of blue tits can often be seen foraging among the trees and shrubberies.Facilities
Refreshments
A quiet moment in Finsbury Circus © Corporation of London
Enjoying live music in Finsbury Circus © Corporation of London
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