College Garden, hidden within the walls of the Abbey precincts, has been in cultivation for over 900 years.
In monastic times, it was used to grow food and medicinal herbs for the occupants of the Abbey. There was an orchard, as well as fishponds, beehives, and a separate plot for growing vegetables.
Summer flowers in College Garden
But the garden wasn't simply somewhere to grow food. It was also a place of beauty, neatly laid out and planted with roses and lilies. The garden was tended by a Head Gardener and two under-gardeners. They were monks and were expected to attend daily services – although they were asked to leave their muddy boots and capes outside. Today, the garden is a peaceful place to relax during your visit to the Abbey. You can also enjoy our two smaller gardens: the Little Cloister Garden, with its fountain and borders of scented plants which was originally an area set aside for recuperation after illness, and the Garth, a lawn bordered by the cloisters, which was used by the monks for quiet reflection.
Little Cloister fountain
The College Garden and Little Cloister Garden are open - and free to visit - on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays. See entry times for garden opening hours.
The Gardens of Westminster Abbey by Jan Pancheri
The Westminster Abbey Shop sells a range of items inspired by our 900-year-old gardens, including books, homewares and seeds selected by the Abbey's Head Gardener.
Shop garden rangeYou are surrounded by history at the Abbey, not like a museum where it’s just displayed, but here you are standing where history has happened.