London, 29 May 2025 – The City of London’s largest open space and its first public park, Finsbury Circus Gardens, will officially reopen on Wednesday 4 June after a decade predominantly spent as a Crossrail construction site. The Grade II-listed gardens, which closed in 2015 to facilitate the building of the Liverpool Street Elizabeth line station, have undergone an extensive refurbishment since 2023 and are now “revitalised and ready to be rediscovered”, according to the City of London Corporation.
For much of the past ten years, the tranquil haven between Moorgate and Bishopsgate was cordoned off while Crossrail engineers excavated beneath its lawns. Last summer, following the completion of tunnelling work, the Corporation embarked on its own programme of upgrades. These have included fresh planting around the central grass, the erection of a new park office and the installation of additional benches, cycle racks and wayfinding signage.
Although the gardens partially reopened on 6 May, the central lawn remains fenced off to allow the new grass to establish. Workers enjoyed the temporary relief from pavement pounding, while early visitors appreciated the newly planted flower beds and restored Georgian-era perimeter railings.
Deputy Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman at the City of London Corporation, told last week’s Court of Common Council that the enhancements have “transformed Finsbury Circus Gardens into a beautiful, tranquil retreat in the heart of the Square Mile”. He added: “Our green spaces play a vital role in making the City of London a welcoming and attractive place to live, work and visit—delivering on our vision for a more inclusive, innovative and sustainable City. These gardens reflect what makes the City so special: not just a global financial powerhouse, but a destination rich in beauty, history and moments of escape.”
The Corporation has not disclosed the total cost of the landscaping and infrastructure works, but welcomed the support of its Natural Environment Board in overseeing the project. James St John Davis, Chair of the Board, emphasised the gardens’ ecological importance: “With the arrival of the nearby Elizabeth line, much of Finsbury Circus Gardens has been closed for years. But now the wait is finally over, and we’re delighted to welcome the public back to this cherished green space. Our open spaces are a lifeline in the City, supporting people’s health and wellbeing, and playing a vital role in climate resilience and biodiversity. From birds and butterflies to bees and insects, places like this provide essential habitats while helping to cool the urban environment and improve air quality.”
He noted that, despite their modest footprint, the Square Mile’s parks and gardens attract over 21 million visits each year, “and they truly punch above their weight in delivering sustainability and liveability for all”.
Finsbury Circus Gardens traces its origins to the 1600s, when the site formed part of Moor Fields, one of London’s earliest public spaces. In 1815, the architect George Dance the Younger laid out a formal Georgian garden complete with gravel walks, clipped yews and a central fountain—elements still echoed today. Over the centuries the gardens have endured war damage, railway expansion and utility works, yet remained a constant reminder of the City’s commitment to accessible green space.
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Next month’s reopening celebrations will include guided historical tours, family-friendly storytelling sessions beneath the plane trees and a “Biodiversity Day” led by urban ecologists demonstrating beekeeping, pond-dipping and wildlife-spotting techniques. A pop-up café will serve refreshments from June through to late summer, and evening lighting installations will animate the trees and shrubs after dusk.
Local workers and residents have responded with palpable relief. “I’ve been desperate to get back in,” said Mariam Patel, who works nearby at a law firm. “Having lunch in a proper garden, rather than on a bench by the road, makes such a difference.” Tour guide Lionel Wong added: “When I used to bring visitors here, it felt like showing them a secret. I can’t wait to have them wander the paths again.”
As the Elizabeth line approaches full service next month, and the City’s office population rebounds from pandemic-era lows, Finsbury Circus Gardens is poised to reclaim its role as both a commuter thoroughfare and an urban oasis. With the official opening just days away, the City of London Corporation hopes that this newly refurbished green heart will inspire a renewed appreciation for the capital’s heritage—and for the quiet moments that only a venerable garden can provide.
