Historic Grosvenor Square reopens as a new chapter for nature in the heart of London

Historic Grosvenor Square reopens as a new chapter for nature in the heart of London

Credit Stuart Bailey Photography

Following a £25 million transformation, Grosvenor Square has reopened as a thriving urban garden for wildlife and people. London Wildlife Trust will bring the space to life through a year-round programme of events, education and community activities, helping inspire people to discover nature in the heart of the capital.

From Monday 20 July, visitors can experience the reimagined Grosvenor Square as one of London's most significant urban nature projects opens to the public.

Our new visitor and learning hub, the Wheatsheaf Building, will inspire thousands of people each year to discover urban wildlife, understand nature’s role in tackling the climate and biodiversity crises, and take action where they live. Thanks to generous funding from the Westminster Foundation, we’ll deliver a year-round programme of free school visits, family activities, guided walks, talks, workshops and community events, helping children and adults connect with nature in central London.

The transformation by Grosvenor marks only the fourth redesign in the square's 300-year history, reimagining this historic public space as a climate-resilient urban garden. Where less than one per cent of the square was once planted, almost half is now filled with nature, including more than 70,000 plants across 63 species, 80,000 bulbs, 44 new trees, and two new wetlands. Together, they create vital habitat for birds, pollinators and other wildlife in the heart of central London. And wildlife is already returning, with ducks, butterflies and dragonflies spotted in the weeks leading up to the reopening. 

To support the new landscape and improve resilience to extreme weather, soil has been decompacted and restored across 15,000 square metres – an area equivalent to two football pitches. The square can now absorb up to 1.4 million litres of stormwater, helping reduce pressure during heavy rainfall.

Visitors can also enjoy our café kiosk, open daily from the Wheatsheaf Building, serving freshly brewed coffee, seasonal drinks and light bites – the perfect place to pause, refuel and reconnect with nature in the heart of the West End.

The design was originated by London-based architecture practice Tonkin Liu and delivered by leading design practice BDP. The planting strategy was led by Professor Nigel Dunnett, one of Britain’s most celebrated horticultural voices. Professor Dunnett passed away in April 2026 and Grosvenor Square stands among his final completed projects, reflecting his lifelong belief that urban landscapes should work for both people and nature.

What's on at Grosvenor Square