Seething Lane Garden in the heart of the Square Mile and near iconic London landmarks such as Tower Bridge and the Tower of London has been reopened.

It was closed at the end of 2012 to facilitate the redevelopment of the Grade II* listed 10 Trinity Square by property development company, Reignwood Group.

The garden is managed as part of the City of London Corporation’s City Gardens network which also includes churchyards, parks, plazas and highway planting across the Square Mile.

New features of the garden include a formal lawn area almost double the size of the previous garden, as well 14 new trees.

A former service road running between the garden and 10 Trinity Square was closed, resulting in a net increase in the area of the garden by 20%.

Rainwater harvested from the roof of the 10 Trinity Square will be used to irrigate the garden.

The garden has a long association with the 17th century diarist, Samuel Pepys, who lived and worked in the Navy Office which once stood on the site.

It is marked by a Blue Plaque and a bust of Pepys by late British sculptor Karin Jonzen, which stood in the former garden, has been relocated as a centrepiece of the new garden.

New stonework by sculptor Alan Lamb depicting scenes from Pepys’ life and diaries also features in the garden.

Graeme Smith, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Open Spaces and City gardens Committee, said:

“Seething Lane Garden is a good example of our work protecting and conserving historic green spaces in the City.

“It’s a famous site which will once again become part of the network of gardens, churchyards, plazas and highway plantings we look after.

“The addition of new trees and shrubs will improve the biodiversity of the area will become an important habitat for wildlife within the urban landscape.

“Gardens like this play an important role in the lives of our residents, workers and visitors as places where they can relax in a living witness to London’s fascinating past.”

Stephen Gibson, CEO of Reignwood Investments UK Ltd said:

“We are delighted to witness the completed renovation of the Seething Lane Gardens, having worked closely with the City of London Corporation for some time.

“When Reignwood took ownership of the Ten Trinity Square site we had a vision to restore the area to its former glory whilst protecting and celebrating its rich heritage.

“We look forward to welcoming visitors to these fine gardens for many years to come.” 

The City of London Corporation protects and conserves 18 major green spaces in London and south east England – including two ancient woodlands - and over 200 smaller ones in the Square Mile. They include important wildlife habitats, sites of scientific interest and national nature reserves. They are protected from being built on by special legislation.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About the City of London Corporation

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

About Reignwood Group

Founded in Thailand in 1984, Reignwood Group is a global Chinese enterprise with headquarters in Beijing and offices in Singapore, Thailand, Canada, the USA and UK. Under the Chairmanship of Dr Chanchai Ruayrungruang, the Group’s extensive financial resources and global network have created a strategic international platform that not only invests in a wide spectrum of industries, but gives back to society, improves the lives of local Chinese communities and assists in the protection of the environment. For more information, visit reignwood.com