In May, in Temple gardens, wisteria that stood without flowers for most of the year finally came into bloom. When it rains, the small purple petals shower down, leaving trails on the ground. The gardens that are usually closed to the public are open in May and June until 3 o’clock in the afternoon during the week. It was a nice surprise to see the gate open to visitors. The whole ‘Temple’ area is a hidden gem in central London, just off the busy main road at Strand. Dark wooden doors separate the winding cobblestone passages from the street.
The church at Temple was built and consecrated in the 12th century and belonged to the order of the Knights Templar. The church was damaged in the London fire of 1666 but Christopher Wren, architect of St Paul’s Cathedral, refurbished the interior. It was also restored after damage sustained by bombing in WWII.
Today it sits in a serene spot, surrounded by law offices and many courtyards. Sometimes you can hear the choir rehearsing and birds chirping as you pass by.