A local’s guide to visiting Brown Hart Gardens, a secret garden and roof terrace in Mayfair, Central London – a wonderful photo spot to enjoy some nature!
A while ago, I told you about a secret garden in the heart of Mayfair in London – Mount Street Gardens – where you can notably admire the cherry blossoms in the spring.
Today, however, I want to share another one of my favorite gardens in London: Brown Hart Gardens, which is actually located just a few minutes away from Mount Street Gardens.
It is very close to Oxford Street, in a raised garden that serves as a free rooftop terrace, where you can admire the incredibly British architecture of the Mayfair area.
London’s Brown Hart Gardens: A Secret Rooftop in Mayfair
Brown Hart Gardens is a place I discovered by chance a few years ago, much like almost all the hidden gems in Mayfair that I’ve shared with you in the past, such as Mercato Mayfair.
What makes this small, elevated garden unique is, first and foremost, its location: it is built on top of an electrical substation constructed in 1905–1906, designed in a refined Edwardian Baroque style.
This substation was designed by architect Charles Stanley Peach and features a myriad of exquisite decorations:
- A domed pavilion
- Balustrades
- Decorative windows
The garden itself has been open since 1906 and served as compensation for local residents after the substation replaced a communal garden that was originally on the Duke Street/Brown Street/Hart Street site.
Open until the 1980s – when the then-substation operator decided to close it to the public – Brown Hart Gardens did not reopen until 2007.
It underwent a renovation in 2013, which allows us today to enjoy several features that were previously unavailable in the garden:
- High-quality limestone on the terrace surface
- A decorative fountain that seems to glide over one of the benches
- A small, very secret cafe where you can enjoy the nice weather and the view of the Mayfair buildings
Brown Hart Gardens, Mayfair London Photo Gallery
London’s Brown Hart Gardens: A Secret Rooftop in Mayfair
Mayfair is one of London’s most beautiful neighborhoods – a wealthy, posh district where you can find everything from secret gardens like Mount Street Gardens to art galleries and beautiful covered shopping arcades.
I love nature and quiet places; while New Bond Street is filled with luxury clothing boutiques and department stores, Brown Hart Gardens is exceptionally peaceful.
It always feels to me like this place is frozen in time, and whether you are looking for a bit of nature in London or simply a spot to write or read, it is a must-visit garden.
Once your moment feels complete, you can then head toward Oxford Street for a bit of shopping or continue your stroll in another park, such as Grosvenor Square.
Personally, I am fond of free museums and historical sites, so here are a few to round out your trip to London:
Brown Hart Gardens London
Address: Brown Hart Gardens, London W1K 6WP
Website: Visit London