Nomadic Community Gardens

Street art and pop-up bars abound. Emma Kumer (Atlas Obscura User)

Once nothing more than a barren wasteland between two railway lines, the Nomadic Community Gardens have been touted as one of London’s most impressive, yet relatively unknown, attractions.

A plethora of street art covers the garden areas and buildings constructed of found materials. The community has added makeshift theaters, bars, galleries, and coffee shops, building a small village in the unique space.

This hidden gem started as an experiment in social regeneration, but the gardens blossomed into a community obsession that transformed an unattractive part of town into an artistic, wholly original gathering place where locals and tourists alike can admire London’s urban creativity.

Know Before You Go

The best way to get to the Nomadic Community Gardens is by walking since there are not a lot of places to park a car in the surrounding area. To get there, go through the Allen Gardens from Brick Lane and walk beneath the underpass to find the garden gates. If you're coming from Cheshire Street, cross the footbridge and pass through the door at the bottom of the steps.

The gardens are not open after sundown or on Mondays.