The Hidden Rooftop Garden Above Temple Station Most London Visitors Never Find
Every day, thousands of people step off the Tube at Temple Station and walk straight towards the Strand, Somerset House or the River Thames.
What most of them don't realise is that just above their heads sits one of London's most overlooked attractions a peaceful rooftop sculpture garden with incredible river views, contemporary art and absolutely no entrance fee.
Welcome to The Artist's Garden, one of London's best hidden gems.
If you love discovering places that feel far away from the crowds, this is somewhere you should add to your London itinerary.
What Is The Artist's Garden?
Perched on the roof terrace above Temple Underground Station, The Artist's Garden is unlike anywhere else in London.
Opened in 2021, it transformed a neglected rooftop that had been largely unused for more than 150 years into a free public space filled with large-scale contemporary sculptures, beautiful planting and panoramic views across the River Thames.
Even more remarkably, it's recognised as the world's first public sculpture garden dedicated entirely to the work of women artists, giving visitors the chance to experience ambitious outdoor artworks in an open and accessible setting.
Hidden in Plain Sight
One of the things that makes The Artist's Garden so special is how easy it is to miss.
Temple Station is surrounded by some of London's busiest attractions. Somerset House, the Royal Courts of Justice, Covent Garden and the South Bank are all just a short walk away.
Yet while tourists stream through the area every day, very few realise that a staircase nearby leads to a rooftop terrace overlooking the Thames.
It's one of those places that feels like a secret—even though it's hiding in the middle of central London.
A Rooftop With Incredible Views
The art is only part of the experience.
From the terrace, you'll enjoy sweeping views across the River Thames, with landmarks stretching from the Palace of Westminster towards Tate Modern.
You'll also get a fantastic perspective of the London Eye and the Victoria Embankment below, making it a wonderful place to pause after exploring the city.
Unlike many rooftop viewpoints in London, there's no ticket to buy and no timed entry to worry about.
You can simply arrive, wander around and enjoy the scenery.
Art You Can Walk Around
Rather than displaying paintings inside gallery walls, The Artist's Garden showcases large-scale sculptures in the open air.
The exhibitions change over time, meaning every visit can feel different.
Recent programmes have featured works by emerging and internationally recognised women artists, encouraging visitors to interact with contemporary sculpture in an informal outdoor setting rather than a traditional museum.
Even if you're not usually interested in modern art, the setting itself makes the experience feel welcoming and approachable.
A Forgotten Space Brought Back to Life
One of the most fascinating parts of the story isn't just the artwork it's the location itself.
The rooftop terrace forms part of the historic Victoria Embankment, created during Sir Joseph Bazalgette's ambitious engineering project in the late 19th century.
For decades, the terrace remained largely forgotten.
In 2021, it was reimagined as The Artist's Garden, transforming an overlooked space into a vibrant cultural destination that's free for everyone to enjoy.
It's a brilliant example of how unused urban spaces can be given a completely new purpose.
Why It Feels So Peaceful
London is full of famous viewpoints, but many are crowded with queues, ticket offices and busy observation decks.
The Artist's Garden offers something different.
You won't find loud crowds or commercial attractions here.
Instead, you'll discover people reading on benches, office workers enjoying lunch, photographers capturing the skyline and visitors quietly exploring the sculptures.
For a few moments, it's easy to forget you're standing above one of London's busiest transport routes.
How to Find The Artist's Garden
The Artist's Garden is located on the roof terrace above Temple Underground Station.
Address: Temple Tube Station, Temple Place, London WC2R 2PH
The entrance is accessed via steps from Temple Place, close to the station. At present, the garden is not step-free, so visitors should be prepared to climb a short flight of stairs. It is generally open daily from 8:00 am until dusk, and admission is completely free.
What to See Nearby
One of the best things about visiting The Artist's Garden is that it's surrounded by some of central London's top attractions.
Within a short walk, you can also explore:
Somerset House
Victoria Embankment Gardens
The River Thames
Covent Garden
The Strand
The South Bank
The London Eye (across the river)
It's an easy stop to include before or after a day of sightseeing.
Before You Visit
The Artist's Garden is currently open to visitors, but its future is uncertain.
The organisation behind the garden has said its licence for the rooftop space is due to end later in 2026 while the site is assessed for potential repair works, and a public campaign has been launched to preserve the garden.
If you've been thinking about visiting, this may be the perfect time to experience one of London's most unique free attractions while it's still welcoming the public.
Why You Should Visit
London is famous for landmarks like Big Ben, Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace.
But sometimes the places that leave the biggest impression are the ones that don't appear on every tourist itinerary.
The Artist's Garden combines public art, fascinating history, peaceful surroundings and spectacular river views in one small rooftop space that's completely free to visit.
It's creative, unexpected and wonderfully quiet a reminder that London still has hidden corners waiting to be discovered.
Final Thoughts
Some of London's best experiences aren't found inside famous museums or behind expensive ticket barriers.
Sometimes they're hidden above a Tube station that thousands of people pass every day without looking up.
The Artist's Garden is one of those rare places that rewards curiosity. Whether you're interested in contemporary art, photography, architecture or simply want a peaceful escape from the busy streets below, it's well worth making the short climb.
The next time you're near Temple Station, don't just walk past.
Look up.
You might discover one of London's most memorable hidden gems.
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