The Garden
The Garden
A peaceful place to sit by the water — and one of the nicest reasons to stop at the mill if you're walking the River Lea.
Behind the mill, tucked between the building and the river, is a small, quiet garden. It is an easy, welcoming place — somewhere to sit on a bench, listen to the water, and let the city fall away for a while.
For the many people who walk the River Lea towpath, the garden is one of the mill’s real pleasures. You don’t need to take a tour to enjoy it: when we’re open on Sundays, you’re welcome to come in, sit a while, and perhaps pick up a coffee from the café.
A garden with a story
The garden was laid out following design ideas from pupils of the nearby Sarah Bonnell School, and includes a herb garden among its planting. It’s tended by our volunteers, who are always glad of a hand — if you enjoy gardening, we’d love to hear from you.
A good place to pause
Whether you’ve come specially or simply stumbled upon us on a riverside walk, the garden is yours to enjoy. Bring a friend, find a bench, and watch the tide turn on the Lea — just as it has turned the mill’s wheels for nearly 250 years.
Lend a hand in the garden
Our garden is tended entirely by volunteers. If you'd enjoy a few hours by the river with secateurs in hand, we'd love to hear from you.