Bloomsbury Square

After Covent Garden, Bloomsbury Square is the oldest square in London. The garden has circle of lime trees at the centre, shaded walks, deciduous planting around the edge and oval planting beds in each corner.

Bloomsbury Square in the heart of London, open at the far end to the big red buses passing by. The square is not enclosed by railings, but is flanked on two sides by tall old buildings. Compared to the other squares we visited, Bloomsbury's grandiose openness felt anonymous.

For the open weekend, the square hosted a Razz-jazz band, dressed in straw boater hats. There were stalls giving out information on gardening and the square. This is where they hooked me onto Which? Gardening magazine with some free copies.