London parks and gardens

This survey traces the history, management, and horticultural character of major open spaces inside the County of London, grouping Royal Parks, municipal parks, commons, squares, burial grounds, Inns of Court gardens, and private grounds. It combines historical sketches with practical notes on layout, planting, and notable features, and includes lists of trees and shrubs and numerous illustrations. Chapters treat individual sites in sequence and offer observations on their administration, public use, and opportunities for improvement, aiming to show how varied green spaces contribute to urban health, recreation, and civic amenity.