Dalston Eastern Curve is a peaceful and calming site created from a derelict railway line and now well-patronised by local people. The black fencing and vibrant mural don’t prepare you for the green haven where gardener Emma plants in deep shade and patches of sunlight. Do visit during Open Garden Squares Weekend, or at any time during the year and support her hard work and then sit down with a cup of tea and the excellent lemon and polenta cake and relax into the peace.

Emma works hard to keep the garden interesting, although not everyone respects her hard work and unruly children can cause disheartening damage even though they have a designated play area. It is difficult gardening, with deep shade, but you can find alliums, ferns, hellebores, foxgloves, alchemilla, epimedium, hachonechloa and many other plants.


Do visit this interesting garden at Dalston Junction in Hackney – you won’t regret the journey!
Another interesting find. It looks like a wonderful spot to sit and eat cake.
Open Garden Squares Weekend leads one to many interesting sites, often in unexpected places, like this.