A local’s guide to visiting St Pancras Church Gardens in the City of London just off Cheapside; one of London’s secret gardens, filled with medieval sculptures!
Nestled just behind the busy streets of Cheapside, St Pancras Church Garden is like stumbling across a hidden treasure in the heart of London’s bustling City.
I came across it while walking around the various historical sites that dot the City of London, my idea of a pleasurable day out.
I found out about it online, when I mistook it for the secret garden of St Pancras New Church on Euston Road, near King’s Cross.
And yet.
This quiet little pocket park stands right where an ancient Romanesque church, built way back in the 11th century, once proudly stood, until the Great Fire of London swept it away in 1666.
Instead of rebuilding it, London chose to preserve the memories of this church, and many other lost churches by transforming their remains into secret gardens for all to enjoy.
City of London’s Secret Gardens: St Pancras Church Gardens
What’s striking about the St Pancras Church Gardens is that it does not actually look like a garden.
Rather, it is a collection of carved, sculpted wooden benches that you very easily miss if you’re not looking for them.
When on Cheapside, one of the most famous streets in the City of London, take Queen Street and, on your left, you will come across Pancras Lane; walk a few steps and the garden is on your left.
There’s nothing really notable about the surroundings of St Pancras Church Gardens; it is tucked between offices and doors that seem to be used only by delivery trucks.
St Pancras Church Gardens: Hidden History Beneath Our Feet
St Pancras Church goes way, way back; so far back it shows up in the Domesday Book, which means it was already a known place of worship almost a thousand years ago.
That’s one of the earliest public records in England, put together in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror.
If your church made it into that book, it meant you were on the map; literally.
Back then, this part of London was still fields and tracks, so that tells you how long this spot has been sacred ground.
For centuries, its remains lay quietly beneath the city, nearly forgotten until rediscovered in the 1960s.
Today, those ancient foundations are carefully preserved underground, protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
There’s a simple plaque there, easily missed by passersby, which gently reminds us of the site’s rich past, maintained lovingly by the City of London Corporation.
St Pancras Church Gardens: One of Many City of London Secret Gardens
St Pancras wasn’t the only church lost in the Great Fire; give or take 90 other churches suffered the same fate.
Many of these sites, like the beautiful St Dunstan in the East, and the grand Christ Church Greyfriars, have also been transformed into gardens, although those two still carry the ruins of the churches.
Other spots like the Reflection Garden opposite St Paul’s were established on the site of the church, but no ruins can be otherwise spotted.
This collection of garden sanctuaries dotted across the city serves as beautiful reminders of London’s resilience, preserving history while providing much-needed peace in our busy lives.
What’s the Story Behind The Carved Benches of St Pancras Church Gardens?
In total, it took three years to design and create the St Pancras Church Gardens, starting in 2009.
In 2010, when the City of London decided to create a garden at the St Pancras site, they asked Studio Weave to design something really special.
The studio came up with an imaginative idea: what if the church’s pews could grow again, springing up from the ruins like plants after a fire?
That’s how the concept of rebirth inspired the creation of eight stunning oak benches.
Crafted during the summer of 2011 by a talented group of tutors and students from the City & Guilds Historic Carving Department, these benches are filled with incredible carvings that tell stories from medieval times.
Each bench is unique, featuring playful grotesques, wise-looking owls, mischievous monkeys, nurturing pelicans, and scenes full of symbolism.
They bring to life important lessons about morality, virtue, and vice; just like medieval church carvings once did for an audience who couldn’t read.
Take a closer look, and you’ll spot scenes depicting powerful biblical stories like Eve accepting the apple from the serpent, alongside other whimsical carvings that add a touch of humor and humanity.
These benches are more than just furniture, and they’re a slice of London’s history I particularly love.
Hidden gems that are quirky, yes but deeply grounded in the past: everything I love when walking around London.
More Photos of St Pancras Church Gardens, Pancras Lane, City of London
City of London’s Secret Gardens: St Pancras Church Gardens
The City of London boasts many a historical site; gardens and secret churches are some of my favorites, what with my obsession with the Great Fire of London.
You will also find lots of Neoclassical sites in the City of London, with the likes of the Tivoli Corner near Bank station, or the quirky Atlas sculpture on King Street.
Still, St Pancras Church Gardens blends history, peace and craftsmanship in just a few square meters; a beautiful way to respect and adorn London’s past.
Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or simply someone looking for a hidden spot to unwind, this gorgeous little garden is a true hidden gem worth discovering again and again.
For more secret spots, feel free to read my guides to the best hidden gems in London, in East London, West London, North London and South London.
Those of you who particularly enjoy historical sites may love these guides:
- 11 London Disused Stations You Can Still Spot Today
- London’s 12 Old Industrial Neighborhoods and Its Lost Trades
- Layers of London: 14 Historical Independent Shops to Visit
- Fleet Street, London: Hidden Gems, History and Things to Do
And if you would like to discover more hidden gems, these are a few I’ve come across while walking around the city: