Around the Globe: Inside 10 of London's Secret Gardens

Who doesn't love a beautiful garden? Conde' Nast Traveler takes us on a gorgeous pictorial tour of  London's Open Garden Squares Weekend, June 9 and 10, one ticket bought access to more than 200 gardens, 120 of which are private. Here’s a peek at some of our favorites.

In Notting Hill, Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant climbed over the fence to enter Rosmead, but visitors on Sunday can stroll right in. (Photo: Sarah Jackson)

The private garden of the 600-year-old Draper’s Company has raised beds and five mulberry trees. (Photo: Drew Bennellick)

Belgravia’s Eaton Square is one of London’s most exclusive addresses (Neville Chamberlain lived at number 37, Vivien Leigh at number 54). But it welcomes the common people on Sunday with Caribbean food, a steel band, and a Punch & Judy show. (Photo: Gavin Gardiner)

Hampstead’s 17th-century Fenton House is a National Trust property that's open to the public, with formal gardens and an orchard growing 30 varieties of English apples. (Photo: Sarah Jackson)

Southwark’s Garden Barge Square is made up of verdant barges floating in the Thames; it offers great views of Tower Bridge. (Photo: Drew Bennellick)

Built in 1938 atop a department store, the elaborate Roof Gardens now belong to Virgin’s Richard Branson. It has three themed sections: the Tudor Courtyard, English Woodland, and Alhambra-inspired Spanish Garden. Four flamingos roam the premises. (Photo: Courtesy of The Roof Gardens)

A small black gate in Little Venice opens to Crescent Garden, one of the city’s largest private squares, where wide lawns beckon lucky children. (Photo: Sarah Jackson)

Plants and produce will be for sale at Fulham Palace Meadows Allotments this weekend. These 406 plots sit on an Anglo-Saxon site enclosed by the giant moat around the palace. (Photo: Gavin Gardiner)

One of the city’s four Inns of Court—like colleges for barristers—the Inner Temple has a beautiful three-acre garden, open daily to the public. Parts date to the times of the Knights Templar; Dickens and Thackeray lived here too. Just off Fleet Street, it’s a hidden respite from the crowds. (Photo: Barbara Neumann)






 
 
 

Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, built on a disused railway line, opened in 2010 to give Hackney much-needed green space. Its acclaimed eco-conscious design includes butterfly bushes, tomato plots, and a wooden pavilion for neighborhood activities. (Photo: Sarah Blee)

Go Big - Go Green

When we see the color GREEN, we think of fresh cut grass, crisp cool limes and of course - ways to save the planet. Or at least, try to do our part in the initiative. But let's face it. We lead very busy lives and it is sometimes quite hard. How many times are you in the checkout line at the grocery store and notice the person in front of you pulling out their canvas bags and handing them to the cashier to bag their items? While we sheepishly stand back, smile and whisper "Plastic please." The obsessive use of paper towels to clean the kitchen? Forget about it. And how many of us are still getting paper utility statements in the mail?

Well, the time has come to start small (baby steps as the saying goes). And we thought we would share a few things with you that will make the process so much easier AND enjoyable.

1. EkoMiko Candle: Made from a repurposed wine bottle, the EkoMiko candle offers a smoke-free burn. ($70; shopekomiko.com).

2. Eco.Love wine: From vine to bottle, Eco.love Wines are made with earth-friendly practices. ($17; shopecolovewines.com).

3. A mini-septic system for Spot - the Doogie Dooley. (WHO KNEW?!) Completely harmless to your lawn! Genius...($40-$80)

4. These plastic-free food grade stainless steel popsicle molds are great for kids of all ages- fill them with juice, jello, tea, or even make frozen margaritas for your next outdoor BBQ! ($39.50; http://www.greenhome.com/)

5. And of course - our FAVORITE way to GO GREEN. How fun is THIS?