Art in the Park: September 2026

Tuesday, 29 September 2026

Tuesday 27 October: Rotunda Garden and surroundings, West Smithfield, EC 1A 9DY

On Tuesday 27 October we will explore West Smithfield, the area to the South of Smithfield Market (shortly to be reopened as the Museum of London). There is the Rotunda Garden, with statue, the newly restored Henry VIII Gatehouse into Barts Hospital (with statue of King Henry himself), the Tudor Gatehouse to St Bartholemew the Great, and the two St Bartholemew Churches, Greater and Less, the exterior of Smithfield Market, and restaurants with awnings. A mixed environment with plenty of interesting variety. There are quite good long views through the trees from the Rotunda Garden. Quite good long views across the area generally. Some interesting ancient alleyways off Middle Street besides St B the Great. Public access to part of the churches' grounds, people sitting at tables. Very little traffic.

We will meet outside the Henry VIII archway on the South side of the square at 11 o'clock. To one side is a vast building covered in scaffolding and plastic, King Henry is on the western side of this.

Henry VIII Gatehouse

Front door of St Bartholemew the Great

Gatehouse to St Bartholemew the Great

Inside the Rotunda Garden

If wet, we can go into both the St Bartholemews, but only dry materials are now allowed. We are not clear whether there is a small entrance fee or not, but if you go in please put in a cash donation, the internet method is not working properly at present. St Bartholemew the Less is very pretty inside, but might have a service going on. Some of the wine bars have awnings over their outside tables and chairs.

Loos can be found in the various wine bars around. Beppe's cafe, where we have lunched previously, hopefully will be open.

Bring your sketching stools in order to get the best views.

The nearest tube stations are Farringdon and Barbican. From Farringdon walk through the middle of Smithfield Market, the road under the arch is not closed off. There will be many buses going down the various arterial roads close by the area. The Rotunda Garden is the green circle on the map, sitting on top of a car park.

Sue's telephone number for the day will be: 07975 864 142

Sunday, 20 September 2026

Art in the Park: Broomfield Park, 15 September 2026

Fifteen artists made it to the park despite the travel obstacles with buses and trains cancelled or delayed. The weather was rather grey and ominous at the outset but the artwork shows that the sun appeared and it became bright and warm. The majority of us set up around one of the lakes, but there is also a sense of other spaces in the park.

Lunch was at 90, The Green.

Broomfield Park has been open to the public since the Council took over the space in 1902. It retains some of its ‘grand house’ features with the pavilion, ponds, conservatory and walled garden. But it is now more diverse: wildlife habitats are being established such as the wetlands and an orchard.

Broomfield House is under scaffolding and behind hoardings. It has been in this state for decades as a result of four fires that reduced it to being unsafe and unusable. This is a sad conclusion to its life as an imposing merchant house from the 17^th century onwards. However, this is not the end of its story. The Heritage Lottery Fund provided some funds a few years ago to research and plan to ‘memorialise’ it. Extensive local consultation has produced a proposal to dismantle it, retaining stable features such as some walls, chimneys and fireplaces, and to transform the footprint into a series of gardens each reflecting the era of the house’s development through the centuries. This project has been submitted for Heritage Fund support.