Let's Explore London! # 1: An evening at the Kensington Roof Gardens

Hello Steemians! I thought it was about time I write up an article on London here, so to kick things off I'm going to share some photos of an evening I spent recently at the Kensington Roof Gardens.

I'm not even going to pretend I'm one of the beautiful shiny people who paid to attend this event (a rooftop screening of Roman Holiday); I was actually working, meeting and greeting guests. But the venue is so wonderful I felt I just had to share it with you here on Steemit.

Nestled on the sixth floor of the former John Barker & Co department store on High Street Kensington, west London and barely visible from the street below, the Kensington Roof Gardens were designed and built at the behest of company vice-president Trevor Bowen over two years, opening to the public in 1938.

They consist of a central art-deco building, 'The Sun Pavilion' which now houses a restaurant and event space, surrounded by a series of themed gardens laid out by the influential landscape architect Ralph Hancock.

The English Gardens
The Sun Pavilion with restaurant above.

Croquet, anyone?

Yup, they're real flamingos! Not quite sure how they fit with the quintessential English garden, but there you go...

Apparently they're called Splosh, Ben, Pecks and Bill, though I'm not sure which is which

Does this tree remind anyone else of Game of Thrones at all?

The Spanish Gardens

Hard to believe we're in England,

Let alone central London!

The Tudor Garden

Unfortunately as I was working I wasn't able to get any shots of the Tudor Garden until after dark when our guests were watching the movie, but I hope these give you an idea:

So there you have it. I think the Roof Gardens are just magical and a lovely retreat from the hussle and bussle of the streets below. Let me know what you think in the comments and follow me for more posts like this!

Peace, Love and Happy Steeming, Amigos!