Earlier this week, under a gloriously hot sunny London sky, my London Shoes set-off to the Westminster district of old London town, for the specific purpose of locating a relatively new and quite unusual (for its surroundings) place that I’d recently been made aware of – and here’s how my day unfolded.
The ‘Onion Garden’ is a unique little green space in Westminster.
Its site was previously just a small bit of derelict corner of concrete wasteland – sitting behind Westminster City Hall – bang in the middle of a built-up corporate concrete jungle.
The ‘Onion Garden’ was created in 2021 by a Jens Jakobsen, a florist by profession – who’s vision was to create a public garden of herbs wildflowers and fruit trees.
The reason it’s called the ‘Onion Garden’ is because in ancient Egypt, the onion represents the circle of life – renewal and eternal life. The Egyptians would worship onions – even going so far as to place them in the eye sockets of the deceased – to please the God’s in the afterlife.
The Onion Garden can be found at the end of a narrow alleyway called Seaforth Place – where you’ll stumble upon its entrance, unusual for the area – and from there you can order a drink and some cake or a sarnie – then park yourself somewhere with the many tables and chairs situated in the nooks & crannies of this small triangular site.
The Onion Garden is a sort of community hub and certainly has that vibe about it. Apart from its café pavilion, there is a small meeting room/office built of glass – where meetings and events can be held – plus an orangery.
It is a not-for-profit charity where any money made from events or selling plants, goes straight back into the day to day running of the garden.
Apart from being a meeting place for people to get together – and a place to chill out, its main purpose is to get people back to nature and to appreciate its benefits.
Throughout the Garden there are loads of little blackboard type plaques with little gems of inspiration written on them – for visitors to read and perhaps put a little bit of perspective on life.
Upon its opening, its creator Jens Jakobson announced its launch saying:- “Nature connects us, we all smile in the same language”…..(which can’t be argued with I guess).
Everything in the Onion Garden is grown organically and nothing is ever thrown away – everything is recycled in some way or another.
Today the ‘Onion Garden’ has over 200 plants on the go – and although it is getting busier and busier as its popularity and awareness of its existence increases – it certainly is a unique little place to visit.
The Onion Garden epitomises the old description…..“an oasis of tranquility in a desert storm” – and should you ever find yourself down Westminster way, you should pay the Onion Garden a visit – you certainly won’t be disappointed.
So – having sought out and experienced the lovely ‘Onion Garden’ – spending a good hour or so there, enjoying a lovely cup of Earl Grey and a cinnamon bun under gloriously sunny London skies – my London Shoes fancied a nice cold bottle of lager – and just around the back of the Onion Garden, I stumbled upon an interesting little pub called the “Cask & Glass”.
Located in Palace Street-London SW1, right near to Buckingham Palace – this 1862 built pub is said to be the smallest one-room pub in London – and was affectionately nicknamed ‘The Queen’s Local’ (maybe it’s the King’s now!!).
Its interior walls are decorated with loads of photos and illustrations referencing various events/people/politicians/royalty with a connection to the pub’s history.
It’s vibe is certainly like having a beer in someone’s front room – very cosy – and because of its proximity to historic landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and Westminster Cathedral – the place is often crammed with tourists as well as office workers. An interesting little pub – well worth a visit.
So – that concludes my little story about the ‘Onion Garden’ and the ‘Cask & Glass’ pub – both a bit unusual and a little bit different from the norm…..hope you enjoyed the read.
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See below the entire gallery of photos taken to accompany this blog article
St. James’s Park tube station (on Circle and the District Lines) – the nearest station to the wonderful Onion Garden
The Onion Garden can be found at the end of a narrow alleyway called Seaforth Place-SW1 – where you’ll stumble upon its entrance, very unusual for its surroundings
Seaford Place – where, at the end, you’ll find the Onion Garden
The entrance to the Onion Garden from Seaford Place-SW1
The Onion Garden site was previously just a small derelict corner of concrete wasteland – sitting behind Westminster City Hall – bang in the middle of a built-up corporate concrete jungle
London Shoes – outside the entrance to the unique Onion Garden
The entrance to the peaceful ‘Onion Garden’
Inside the ‘Onion Garden’
Inside the ‘Onion Garden’
Inside the ‘Onion Garden’ are numerous inspiring little quotes
Inside the ‘Onion Garden’
Inside the ‘Onion Garden’
Inside the ‘Onion Garden’
The remnants of my Earl Grey and cinnamon bun – that I consumed at the Onion Garden
Inside the ‘Onion Garden’
Inside the ‘Onion Garden’ are numerous inspiring and humourous little quotes
Inside the ‘Onion Garden’
Inside the ‘Onion Garden’
Inside the ‘Onion Garden’
Throughout the Garden there are loads of little blackboard type plaques with little gems of inspiration written on them – for visitors to read and perhaps put a little bit of perspective on life.
Inside the ‘Onion Garden’
Another of the little gems of motivational/inspirational ‘quotes’ written on them , for visitors to read and perhaps put a little bit of perspective on their life.
Inside the ‘Onion Garden’
Inside the ‘Onion Garden’
Inside the ‘Onion Garden’
My London Shoes – in the street outside the impressive ‘Onion Garden’
Inside the ‘Onion Garden’
Inside the ‘Onion Garden’
Me – enjoying some peace and tranquility inside the ‘Onion Garden’
The ‘Cask & Glass’ pub in Palace Street-London SW1 – the site where my London Shoes stopped for a ‘cheeky’ little liquid refreshment
The 1862 built ‘Cask & Glass’ pub is right near to Buckingham Palace – and used to be affectionately nicknamed ‘The Queen’s Local’ (maybe it’s the King’s now!!).
The ‘Cask & Glass’ is said to be the smallest one-room pub in London
Its pub’s interior walls are decorated with loads of photos and illustrations referencing various events/people/politicians/royalty with a connection to the pub’s history.
Having a drink in the ‘Cask & Glass’ pub is a little like having a beer in someone’s front room – very cosy – and because of its proximity to historic landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and Westminster Cathedral – the place is often full of tourists as well as office workers.
A luverlee cold bottle of ‘Sol’ – on a shelf in the ‘Cask & Glass’ pub – just begging to be necked down by my London Shoes
Me – knocking back a nice cold refreshing bottle of lager in the ‘Cask & Glass’ – an interesting little pub – well worth a visit.
Congratulations on finding such a nice little place to write about!
The Onion Garden sounds to be very much my kinda joint. How lovely to have such a place bang in the middle of London landmarks, a tucked away oasis.
Loved it, and the little plaques to think on.
I love this one Geoff. No order or boundaries just plants to be enjoyed. What a great oasis in a built up area. I think I’ll take the advice to – eat cake and stay safe 😂
Love this Geoff. I am keeping info for when we can do a day trip to London. This would fit in well with a revisit to Westminster Abbey. I am a sucker for gardens, tea and cake.
Next time I go adventuring in London with my sister we must visit thos place it looks magical.
Absolutely amazing find. So peaceful in such a busy city
Thankyou for your time very interesting viewing👍🍺🤪💙
Perfect in all the hot weather we have been having.