You’d be forgiven for never having heard of Cannizaro Park or walking right past it if you happen to be wandering around Wimbledon Common. But hidden behind an old country house (which is now a hotel serving quite a delightful afternoon tea) there is a lovely garden park.

With a history of over 300 years, the house was owned by a series of politicians and nobility before being sold to the borough in the 1940s. Although the house was later sold, the gardens are still owned and maintained by the borough and open to the public. This means they aren’t perhaps as polished as some gardens, but they have a rustic charm and you can easily imagine how in centuries past the ladies would have enjoyed their garden walks with parasols in hand.

With rolling hills, an Italian garden, duck pond and enough room to find a quiet spot, it is the perfect place to go for a quiet picnic or leisurely stroll. The variety of species in the park makes it a grade II listed site and a variety of flowers pop up throughout the year.

The park also hosts summer concerts with music and comedy which I’m looking forward to attending later this year.

Photos by Michelle Young