Simply the best!

Above: volunteer gardeners David Edgerley and Effric Smith with the Islington in Bloom award.

Be proud. Be very proud. It’s official. Arlington Square is now recognised as the Best Small Public Square in London.

Lead gardener Paul Thompson with the London Gardens Society First Prize for Best Small Public Square.

That is the judgment of the London Gardens Society who, in the grand surroundings of the Guildhall, presented our lead volunteer gardener Paul Thompson with this top award.

And that’s not all. The London inBloom judges awarded us Gold status in the small parks category –and the Royal Horticultural Society recently judged our square to be ‘Outstanding’.

We have also retained our Community Green Flag status, achieving a score of 80+/100 –and Islington in Bloom judged us to be of Gold standard, awarding us third prize in the Best Residential Community Garden (won by Bevin Community Garden).

Prize-winning Arlington Square in all its autumnal glory.

The judges at London in Bloom described Arlington Square as ‘inspirational…The planting selection and its use is very decorative and of botanical interest, closer in aesthetic and design to a private garden than many other small community squares. The hard work of those involved is very evident, not just in the sophisticated planting, but also in the organisation to work together with the council and their ability to raise significant funds.

There is involvement with local community groups and the site serves a great purpose as a space of tranquillity and beauty in the city. It is an impressive feat to create and provide a community public space at this level of visual delight.’