London's secret gardens – in pictures

Normally private, often hidden, gardens in allotments, manor houses, shops and 10 Downing Street will be open to the public on 14 and 15 June. Open Garden Square Weekend is an annual event, run by the London Parks and Garden Trust to increase awareness and appreciation of London's varied green spaces. Here are some of the highlights

  • The Skip Garden in King's Cross is a mobile allotment, built by a variety of local partners as an example of urban organic agriculture
    The Skip Garden in Kings Cross is a mobile allotment, built by a variety of local partners as an example of urban organic agriculture

  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park covers 31 acres and is a designated nature reserve
    Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park covers 31 acres and is a designated Local Nature Reserve

  • Constructed in 1736, the garden at 10 Downing Street is dominated by a large lawn and rose bushes. Tickets are allocated via ballot through the Open Garden Square Weekend website
    Number 10 Downing Street is the official residence of the British Prime Minister. Constructed in 1736, it is dominated by a large lawn and rose bushes

  • At Highbury Square, football fans can tread the hallowed turf that once belonged to Arsenal Football Club. It's now a minimalist, modern garden. Photograph: View Pictures/Rex
    Highbury Square is where football fans can tread the hallowed turf that was the former home of Arsenal Football Club, now a minimalist, modern garden

  • Walworth Allotment Association was founded in the 70s, and is home to just 16 plots plus a wildlife area and beehives. Photograph: Mike Kear
    Walworth Allotment Association was founded in the 1970s is home to just 16 plots with a wildlife area and bee hives

  • Fenton House Garden, Hampstead, is a walled enclosure built in the 17th century. The upper and lower levels include formal walks, a herb garden and an historic orchard bearing more than 30 varieties of English apples. Photograph: The National Trust Photolibrary/Alamy
    Fenton House Garden, Hampstead, is a walled enclosure built in the 17th century. The upper and lower levels include formal walks, a herb garden and an historic orchard withmore than 30 varieties of English apples

  • Charlton Manor primary school is a model for sustainability in schools. It's a haven that includes vegetable plots, fruit trees, a pond, chickens and a beehive. Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian
    Charlton Manor Primary School s a model for sustainability in schools. It's a haven that includes vegetable plots, fruit trees, a pond, chickens and a beehive

  • The School of Oriental and African Studies has a small Japanese-inspired roof garden, designed by Peter Swift, which opened in 2001. Photograph: Lena feFld/Alamy
    The School of Oriental and African Studies has a small Japanese inspired roof garden, designed by Peter Swift which opened in 2001

  • Bee Urban is a beekeeping and environmental education project based at the Keeper's Lodge in Kennington Park. Here volunteers can learn a variety of traditional skills, from beekeeping to carpentry and paper-making
    Bee Urban is a beekeeping and environmental education project based at the Keeper's Lodge in Kennington Park. Here volunteers can learn a variety of traditional skills, from beekeeping to carpentry and paper making

  • Farm:Shop in Dalston is the world's first farm in an inner-city shop, run by the design practice Something & Son. It attempts to combine new technologies with ancient techniques, with results such as this striking basil wall
    Farm:Shop in Dalston is the world's first farm in an inner-city shop, run by the design practice Something & Son. It attempts to combine new technolgies with ancient techniques, with results like this basil wall

  • Barnsbury Wood is London's smallest nature reserve. It is used by schools for environmental education sessions, but due to its small and vulnerable nature is usually only open to the public one afternoon a week
    Barnsbury Wood is London's smallest nature reserve. It's used by schools for environmental education sessions, bu due to it's small and vulnerable nature is usually only open to the public one afternoon a week
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