The exotic indoor garden in the middle of a UK city – with free books and its very own amphitheatre
A FREE attraction in a UK city is home to exotic plants, amazing views and even its own amphitheatre.
London is home to plenty of free activities, one of which has been described as a tranquil place to escape the busyness of the city.
The Crossrail Roof Garden is open daily until 9pm, apart from the summer when it remains open until sunset.
The garden is full of exotic plants and has lots of quiet seating areas. hidden away on secluded pathways.
Its glass roof offers amazing views out to Canary Wharf and the buildings surrounding it.
And if you turn up on the right night, you can enjoy a show in the 80-seater amphitheatre, that sits among the greenery.
The plant-life is spread out according to which hemisphere you’d expect to find them.
For example, Asian plants like bamboo can be found to the east of the garden, while plants like ferns and cacti from the Americas are situated to the west.
Lots of people choose the garden as a place to go to read their book quietly.
And, for those who forget to bring their literature with them, there are free short story dispensers that can provide them with something to read for free.
Visitors just need to choose the length of the story they want to read, between one, three or five minutes and the dispenser will select a short tale for them to read.
They can pick from several genres, including suspense, crime, science fiction, romance, humour, fiction and children’s.
Meanwhile, a partnership with The Space Theatre, a local performing arts charity on the Isle of Dogs, brings free performances of music, dance and theatre to the garden’s performance space.
The garden’s website reads: “We welcome local community groups, students, and amateur dramatics groups to use this amphitheatre to showcase their talents.
“All events delivered as part of this programme are free and offer opportunities for local people to take part in or watch a wide variety of activities and encourage people to engage with the space in new and original ways.”
The space is well-loved by Londoners, who appreciate having a space that offers a rare break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Three scenic train journeys you can take in the UK
The UK is full of great train journeys, including some with scenic views.
- The West Highland Line in Scotland has previously been dubbed the best rail journey in the world, thanks to its breathtaking views overlooking mountain landscapes, serene lochs and wistful moors. Tickets start from £19.50.
- The East Coast Main Line from Durham to Edinburgh is another popular railway route. Passengers on this train will be treated to views of Durham Cathedral, the Angel of the North, and the King Edward VII Railway Bridge. Tickets start from £24.50.
- The train from St Erth to St Ives only has one stop on its route, which is complete with sea views. Tickets start from £3.
It has an overall score of 4.6/5 from thousands of reviews on Google.
One wrote: “I highly recommend a visit to this tranquil garden, as it is usually peaceful and a great spot to unwind while reading a book.”
Another said: “A great green space in the heart of the city. There should be more spaces like this in our towns and cities. The ‘free story’ machines are a great idea.”
A third added: “This is a really peaceful place. I will definitely come back in late spring or summer. There’s a good place for coffee and relaxing your mind.”
Meanwhile, this brand new urban theme park is coming to London for this summer.
And this famous London attraction is being turned into a £275m hotel.