Following my excursion to the Postman's Park (which former Scout and London Cab Driver Martin Clarkson tells me is NOT in Newgate Street - and he is right, of course) I have decided that whilst I am still able to run around (well, walk anyway) I will visit as many pocket parks in the City of London or nearby as possible. And so on Tuesday 17th October I visited three - four if you count the one which was closed but I put my camera through the railing so I guess that counts.
The first was Fortune Street Garden in Golden Lane, not far from Barbican Station. It was lunchtime so it was bustling with folk from the nearby offices and flats. Everyone seemed happy - the lady in the kiosk was radiant as she served me a coffee and savoury muffin. The air was alive with chat and play, whilst the autumn colours were brilliant. And do look at the nearby block of flats where everyone seems to have something they want to tell the world!
Here is some brief history - you will find more if you Google (where I found this).
Plenty of London’s green spaces were created to act as an oasis in the city, but Fortune Street Park has a much more interesting history than this.
The park is named after the street on which it is situated, which is in turn named after the old Fortune Theatre that once stood there.
Dating all the way back to 1600, the theatre was built for Edward Alleyn and Philip Henslowe and was modelled on Shakespeare’s The Globe in order to act as a competitor.
Unfortunately, the wooden structure burnt down in 1621, but it was rebuilt in brick and even had a nursery specialising in “educating young children for the acting profession of the stage”. It was even mentioned in Samuel Pepys’s diary, such was its reputation among
There was further bad luck for the theatre though, when an ordinance for the dismantling of playhouses was issued by the Puritans in 1647-48 and the building was dismantled by soldiers in 1649.
The park is named after the street on which it is situated, which is in turn named after the old Fortune Theatre that once stood there.
Dating all the way back to 1600, the theatre was built for Edward Alleyn and Philip Henslowe and was modelled on Shakespeare’s The Globe in order to act as a competitor.
Unfortunately, the wooden structure burnt down in 1621, but it was rebuilt in brick and even had a nursery specialising in “educating young children for the acting profession of the stage”. It was even mentioned in Samuel Pepys’s diary, such was its reputation among
There was further bad luck for the theatre though, when an ordinance for the dismantling of playhouses was issued by the Puritans in 1647-48 and the building was dismantled by soldiers in 1649.
Other buildings were constructed on the same site, but when the Fortune Street area was heavily bombed during the Second World War, it was decided that the area would remain cleared and it was laid out as a park in the early 1960s.
Much-needed refurbishment work was carried out in 2002 to cover landscaping and the addition of new facilities and the park won the Green Flag Award in 2006/7 to reflect the beauty that had been achieved.
Much-needed refurbishment work was carried out in 2002 to cover landscaping and the addition of new facilities and the park won the Green Flag Award in 2006/7 to reflect the beauty that had been achieved.
While Fortune Street Park is the perfect place to lay out a blanket and have a picnic, there is much more to it than just a large patch of grass.
Children will find a carefully tended play area with plenty of toys and there is an edible community garden for anyone who enjoys cooking, from which a plethora of herbs can be picked to take home.
The more green-fingered among its visitors will enjoy the annual bulb-planting schemes, while anyone just visiting London can reap the rewards of all this hard work in the form of glorious displays of flowers come spring. (I have made a note to go back!)
Children will find a carefully tended play area with plenty of toys and there is an edible community garden for anyone who enjoys cooking, from which a plethora of herbs can be picked to take home.
The more green-fingered among its visitors will enjoy the annual bulb-planting schemes, while anyone just visiting London can reap the rewards of all this hard work in the form of glorious displays of flowers come spring. (I have made a note to go back!)
If you find yourself in need of refreshments while visiting the park, then you’ll be well catered for thanks to the Giddy Up coffee house, which boasts London’s best coffee, according to its website. (And it is very, very good - so are the savoury muffins!).
Should you be around in June, then you won’t want to miss the annual community fun day. This is an event at which young and old alike come together to enjoy sports, stalls and competitions designed to celebrate the summer and (hopefully) the arrival of plenty of warm weather.
Fortune Street Park is open every day from 8am until dusk.
Getting there
Fortune Street Park is easy to reach using public transport, with the Barbican Tube stop that connects to the Hammersmith & City, Circle and Metropolitan lines just a short walk away. In addition, the 5, 56, 153, 43, 205, 214 and 271 buses all stop nearby.
