After a day walking around in the tower of London and being mesmerized by the crown jewels, I decided to take a walk around the area. I came across what looked like a very thin church and I couldn’t believe my eyes: St. Dunstan in the East.
It was the most beautiful combination of stone structure and the greenest greenery I have ever seen. It looked like a medieval ruin, in the middle of a forest, when in reality it was in the middle of London, surrounded by modern buildings.
I felt a lot of peace and a bit transported to older times, it truly took my breath away. As I admired the stone structures, Celtic music pulsed through my mind. The whole experience was magical.
This church was originally built way back in Saxon times and then restored by St Dunstan in 950 AD. Then when the Great Fire of 1697 raged, only the tower of the church had survived, and it had to be rebuilt. Hundreds of years later, during World War II, the church was severely damaged in the blitz. After the war, much work was done to turn the grounds into a public garden.
Imagine the millions of stories that must have happened on those grounds, and how many people have walked in and prayed during the years. Just to think of the history of St Dunstan and everything it has been through, makes me appreciate it so much.
The garden that surrounds it is truly enchanting and the colors and placements of every plant were very well thought out. While it is but a tiny public garden, it is, in my humble opinion, a hidden gem and one of the most beautiful places in all of London.
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Wow, looks wonderful!!! A must in my future trip to London.
Yes you should definitely add it to your list!!