The Onion Garden: Westminster’s Hidden Green Oasis

The City of Westminster is a very green borough but that largely comes in the form of its magnificent parks: Hyde Park, St James’s Park, Green Park. It less known for its ‘pocket parks’, unlike the City of London that has many squirrelled away inside it. 

However, tucked happily into a corner of Westminster, between the glass, steel and concrete of office blocks is a simply wonderful little green oasis. It is called the Onion Garden. 

Setting Up The Garden

The Onion Garden can be found down a sidestreet off the wide, busy Victoria Street, not far from Victoria Station. You can see the location on the map below: 

In 2021 it was a forgotten and derelict concrete corner behind Westminster City Hall. It was however transformed from late 2021 by florist Jens Jakobsen, who had been running a floristry business from the old Bluecoat School building nearby, with the help of various volunteers.

The space was granted/lent partly by businessman David Maxwell and his wife Tess, who own Seaforth Place. It was part of a project to build a new office block but with a pocket park alongside it.

In 2023 TfL (Transport for London) were guided by Westminster City councillor Mark Shearer to give the project the long strip of land at back called King’s Gate Parade. They also secured a grant of nearly £24k from the Greening Westminster programme.

The aim was to create the ‘Hanging Gardens of Westminster.

The Onions

You will see quite a few onions in the garden, some growing, some hanging from branches or used to create sculptures.

However, the name for the garden comes more from the ancient symbolism of the onion. 

Jens explained to me that the onion and its layers represent renewal and the eternal circle of life. The ancient Egyptians would worship onions and would even place them in the eye sockets of the deceased to appease the gods in the afterlife. 

Values of the Garden

The Onion Garden is a not-for-profit charity, with any money made from events or selling plants, going back into the running and growth of the garden. 

It is intended as a place for people to enjoy nature and greenery but also use nature as a way to heal, to bring the community together, connect people and bring joy. 

At times the garden can be quite busy these days, as more people have discovered it, but everyone is respectful of each other, kind and makes space. Nature seems to bring out the best in people.

It is all about inclusivity, the garden being open to all. Some of the homeless community who used the concrete space before the garden was here, return and enjoy the greenery. 

‘Nature connects us, we all smile in the same language’- Jens Jakobsen.

What To Look Out For

There are now over 200 species of plant in the garden, including herbs, wildflowers and fruit trees. These attract all sorts of insects, butterflies and bees. Walking through the garden is a sensory one, with various smells and sounds – buzzing and humming all around you. 

It is quite a narrow space but the path winds its way past various little nooks and crannies where you can sit and relax. 

Everything is grown organically and Jens tries to not throw anything away. Dead leaves will be used in compost for example and twigs are used to create other structures. 

This giant nest below represents life.

Inside are egg shells, again representing rebirth, but also crushed eggshells can be used as an organic snail repellent. 

There is a greenhouse/orangery towards the end of the garden.

It is a beautiful, bright space to sit in and can also be hired out. 

The Onion Garden has recently gained a coffee pavilion, another beautifully curated space. Again any profits go back into the garden. 

There is a transparent observation beehive that can be seen from the coffee pavilion, so you can admire the industrious little bees going about their business. Gautier from the London Bee Project donated them and they are looked after by beekeeper Arthur Starzec.

How To Visit

I think it is a truly brilliant project and shows what can be done when there is a will and a way to create these spaces. But also, how something so seemingly simple and small can make a big difference in people’s lives.

The garden is ordinarily open 7.30am-4.30pm Monday-Friday. 

You can find out more about the garden here or support them via their crowdfunder here.

Thank you for reading, more gardens/parks below!