A celebration of Londons vast and varied garden legacy, but with an unexpected focus on those gardens that have either vanished or changed beyond recognition over the centuries

Lost Gardens of London pays tribute to the evanescence of Londons vast and varied garden legacy. Todd Longstaffe-Gowan explores gardens that range in date from the sixteenth to the twenty-first century, and from the capitals humble allotments and gardens behind terraced houses to defunct squares, amateur botanical gardens and aviaries, princely pleasure grounds, royal-palace gardens, artists gardens and private menageriesgardens that either no longer exist or are unrecognisable today.

Our fascination with lost gardens is often fuelled by our interest in reconstructing worlds that supply us with a powerful means of making sense of the past, and a way of reading history. In this beautiful and evocative book, illustrated with a variety of images including watercolours, coloured engravings, and photographs, Longstaffe-Gowan reminds us of what a precious asset gardened green space is, and how it has contributed over the centuries to the quality of life and well-being of generations of inhabitants of the Metropolis.

Distributed for Modern Art Press

Exhibition Schedule:

Garden Museum, London
(23 October 20242 March 2025)