Snapshot of London - St Dunstan-in-the-East

After all the media attention last week, featuring my beloved city of London, I found myself becoming homesick for this fantastic city (yes, even more than usual) and feel compelled to showcase one of my favorite pockets of London.

To me the heart of the city is the City of London. This historic square mile is the oldest part of London and its original city center. Hidden gems lurk along each narrow cobbled lane. Perhaps because this area is the financial and business pulse of the city, many travelers often overlook this vicinity altogether.

One of my most cherished City of London activities is to while away a few hours sitting in a garden that happens to be located amidst the ruins of a church. It really is as marvelous as it sounds. The garden within the church is St Dunstan-in-the-East (Monument tube station).

All that remains of this medieval church is the outer shell and the Christopher Wren designed steeple. After being heavily bombed during World War II, the City of London turned the ruins into a public garden. Today trees and flowers bloom and ivy covers the glassless windows of what used to be the nave of the church. Several well-placed benches provide an enticing place to read a book or eat a picnic lunch.

If you are fortunate enough to live nearby or find yourself visiting this superb city, make your way to the City of London and scout out this oasis. I promise, it’s worth the effort.