Arcadia Ireland

I must confess that I did not grow up in the city of St. Louis. I was born and raised in St. Charles County, right outside the city. I joke that I am a county girl (through and through) because you could not pay me enough money to drive in the city. I love the long walking/hiking trails in the forest, the lavender farm close to my house, and the historic main street filled with small businesses and family-run restaurants. I crave the slow living that I experience in the late summer when the cicadas chirp and the barn cats make an appearance from their hibernations. Can you tell that I am feeling slightly homesick? I decided that I would try to discover places in London that help me escape the hustle and bustle of the city. My goal was to find some places that would remind me of my home. I am going to share my top four favorite places in hopes that they help anyone else out there missing their green areas at home! 

Kensington Gardens

Once a private playground for the royal family, Kensington Gardens now allows everyone to soak in the trees, flowers, lakes, and so much more! The Kensington Gardens originally were used as hunting grounds for King Henry VIII in the 1530s. In 1689, King William III and Queen Mary built Kensington Palace on the land, although it was Queen Caroline in 1728 who created the Kensington Gardens. Queen Victoria improved the gardens many times throughout her life, especially with the creation of the Albert Memorial. When her husband, Prince Albert, passed away, Victoria fashioned an extremely detailed and impressive memorial. He is also honored by the Victoria and Albert Museum nearby (which is a must-see if you are in the area!). The Kensington Garden also holds a memorial statue to Princess Diana. During her time living in Kensington Palace, Princess Diana loved the gardens. It was commissioned in 2017 for the 20th anniversary of her death. It depicts the princess with her two sons and also includes a beautiful pond, green shrubbery, and white flowers. This was one of my favorite parts of Kensington Gardens because it was so peaceful and relaxing. It reminded me a lot of the Veterans Tribute Park in St. Louis because of the wide open space, flourishing wildlife, and so many places to explore. Kensington Gardens also includes a statue of Peter Pan because J.M. Barrie was inspired by his time spent in Kensington Gardens as a child! Whether you are looking for a nice spot for a picnic, want to learn more about the royal family, or even just see some cute dogs, Kensington Gardens is the place for you. There is something here for everyone!  

Barbican Conservatory

If you are struggling to get tickets to the Sky Garden (believe me, I’ve been there!), you might want to check out the Barbican Conservatory. While you do not get a gorgeous sweeping view over the city of London, you will find yourself surrounded by plant life! It is the second biggest conservatory in London, with three pools full of fish, 1,500 species of plants and trees, and an assortment of rare and endangered flowers. In those ponds, there are terrapin turtles who have been nicknamed "the terrorpins" because they were terrorizing other wildlife in Hampstead Heath. They were relocated to the conservatory, which I know had to be a funny and entertaining conversation between the two organizations. I recommend viewing them from a distance! It is completely free to enter, and they even drop same-day tickets each morning. There are winding walking trails throughout the conservatory with lots of places to explore. Plant life can be found everywhere, even growing on walls. As a fall study abroad student, I am constantly attempting to find green areas that are just as beautiful in the winter, and this is definitely one of my favorites. I went in November and it felt like summertime. It reminded me of the trails near my house and the countless times I have wandered those trails for hours at a time. I spent most of my time sitting on a bench and peacefully reading on my Kindle while surrounded by green plants and listening to the fountains bubble. Hidden among the gray London buildings lies a secret garden that you could easily get lost in for however long you desire. So, if you require some place to escape the stress of assignments or an internship, I would recommend checking the Barbican Conservatory (and bringing a book with you)!

Kew Gardens

While it is a bit of a tube ride away from Central London, the Royal Botanic Gardens (better known as the Kew Gardens) are totally worth it! While it was founded in 1759 by Princess Augusta, it was not until 1772 that Francis Masson - the first plant collector of Kew - returned with thousands of plants to add to the estate. Like the Kensington Gardens, the Kew Gardens were originally closed to the public and utilized as a private oasis for the royal family. The Kew Gardens opened to the public in 1840. Since then, it has grown larger with new greenhouses, walkways, and themed gardens. It is difficult to describe to you how large the Kew Gardens truly are! They are stunningly beautiful, and it feels like it goes on for as far as the eye can see. There are so many different spots to explore in the Kew Gardens. My favorite is the Princess of Wales Conservatory, a charming glasshouse that includes plants from a variety of biomes. You have to check out the section that is full of predatory and carnivorous plants, like the Venus flytrap and the purple pitcher plant (say that three times fast!). A fun fact about the Princess of Wales Conservatory is that there is actually a time capsule buried in the foundation that is scheduled to be opened in 2085. It is full of food crops and endangered species, and it was done as a preservation effort for future generations. Don't worry if you come in the winter months because all of the greenhouses keep the plants in bloom all year round! Other highlights of the Kew Gardens include the Rose Garden, Temperate House, and Waterlily House. If you are missing home, there is even a section that has plants from around the world! The Kew Gardens reminded me of Forest Park in St. Louis with its beautiful water features and aesthetic gardens. Also, if you are looking for a spot of tea after walking through the gardens, I recommend checking out The Original Maids of Honour because they have an amazing afternoon tea selection!

Mudchute Farm

If you have ever dreamed about owning a farm, this is the place for you! Mudchute Park & Farms - nicknamed the "People's Park" - was established in the 1970s to give Londoners access to the countryside without leaving the city. It is one of the largest city farms in Europe, with around 32 acres of land. During World War II, the land that Mudchute sits on aided in defending the city of London by housing anti-aircraft guns. Instead of uprooting the historic firearms when they built the farm, they were repurposed after the war ended. They are now being utilized as enclosures for some pigs but they also preserved one to teach young children about World War II. While visiting Mudchute, I completely forgot that I was in the heart of East London. You are completely surrounded by green, and the air is fresh and crisp. It was honestly a very peaceful spot in London. The animals are the true stars of the show. The farm has more than 100 animals, including cows, goats, chickens, donkeys, and even llamas. I recommend getting some food for a couple of pounds to feed them because it was the highlight of my trip to Mudchute! My favorite animals were the goats and the sheep because they came right up the fence to eat from my hands (don't worry; they have plenty of spots for you to wash your hands afterward!). Also, did I mention that it is completely free to visit? Mudchute Park & Farms reminded me of Grant's Farm in St. Louis. Both foster this love of animals in people of all ages by allowing them to get up close and personal with the livestock. Mudchute is a great spot to spend the afternoon and pet some animals to get away from the anxieties of schoolwork. If you cannot make the train ride to the English countryside while studying abroad, Mudchute Park & Farms is as close as you can get to that country life!