The Temple Gardens represent one of the largest areas of green space in the City. Although they are formally managed, they support a fair degree of wildlife interest. Included in the site are the Inner Temple main garden, Garden Court and most of the Middle Temple main garden. The gardens comprise open lawns with a variety of mature trees, small areas of shrubbery and some wall-climbing shrubs, as well as attractive flowerbeds. The gardens are open to the public for an extended lunch break (12pm-3pm) in summer.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Temple Gardens
Borough: City of London
Grade: Borough Grade II
Access: Access at limited times
Area: 2.19 ha
Description
Wildlife
The lawns contain a mixture of grasses including red fescue, crested dog's-tail and rough and smooth meadow-grasses. There are a variety of wildflowers such as daisies, common sorrel, slender trefoil, creeping cinquefoil, wall speedwell and selfheal, as well as creeping, meadow and bulbous buttercups. Lady's bedstraw also grows here, a plant that tends to be indicative of older grassland in central London. Bird life includes great tit, which is uncommon this close to the City. More widespread species seen here include breeding blue tit, blackbird, starling and crow, plus magpie, pied wagtail, mallard and woodpigeon. Most notable of the birds seen here are a pair of spotted flycatchers in the Inner Temple garden. This species is in steep decline and now occurs in only a few sites in central London each year. Both nuthatch and kestrel have been sighted occasionally. Nest boxes have been erected to encourage birds to breed here.Facilities
Information; historic features; sculptures/ monuments
Blue tit © Paul Glendell/English Nature
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