The largest open space and first public park in the City of London is to officially reopen next week after a decade largely spent as a building site for the construction of the Elizabeth Line. The Grade-II listed Finsbury Circus Gardens has also been been undergoing its own refurbishment since 2023, with a range of new planting, landscaping and other upgrades.
Deputy Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman at the City of London Corporation which manages the Gardens, praised the refurbishment as leaving the site “revitalised and ready to be rediscovered”. For most of the last 10 years Finsbury Circus Gardens has been closed to the public while it was used by Crossrail to build the nearby Liverpool Street Elizabeth Line station.
In 2023 another round of works began to spruce up the Gardens with key changes including planting around the central lawn, a new park office and places to sit. It was partially reopened on May 6 though the lawn remains fenced off to allow the new grass to settle.
The Gardens’ official reopening is penned in for June 4, with Deputy Hayward announcing the date at last week’s Court of Common Council (May 22). Visiting the space yesterday afternoon its popularity with workers and tourists was evident, with most of the benches and other seating apparatus occupied while others wandered around the flower beds.
Deputy Hayward described the Gardens as “a beautiful, tranquil retreat in the heart of the City – now revitalised and ready to be rediscovered. Deputy Hayward said: “Our green spaces play a vital role in making the Square Mile a welcoming and attractive place to live, work, and visit – delivering on our vision for a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable City.
“These gardens reflect what makes the City of London so special – not just a global financial powerhouse, but a destination rich in beauty, history, and moments of escape.” The Gardens has changed significantly over the years, first becoming a public park known as ‘Moor Fields’ in the 1600s. A formal layout was introduced by George Dance the Younger in 1815.
Chair of the City Corporation’s Natural Environment Board, James St John Davis, said: “With the arrival of the nearby Elizabeth Line, much of Finsbury Circus Gardens has been closed for years. But now the wait is finally over, and we’re delighted to welcome the public back to this cherished green space.
“Our open spaces are a lifeline in the City, supporting people’s health and wellbeing, and playing a vital role in climate resilience and biodiversity. From birds and butterflies to bees and insects, places like this provide essential habitats while helping to cool the urban environment and improve air quality.
“Despite their size, the Square Mile’s parks and gardens – which attract over 21 million visits a year – truly punch above their weight. They offer a vital escape from the bustle of daily life and are central to making the City a more sustainable, liveable and thriving place for all.”
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