Japanese Garden of Peace — Attraction in London

Was disappointed at first, the park seemed to be rather unloved and to be used more as a cut through the surrounding estates than a place of recreation and contemplation. Save for some defiant shrubs that resembled nothing so much as escaped bonsai gone feral there didn't seem to be anything particularly Japanese about the planting. However no park is going to be at its best on a grey early February morning, and I look forward to visit at some other time of the year when the plants are more alive, and there is more colour to the park.

I'm giving the park a 3, this being an aggregate of the two halves of the park. because while the first part of the park was rather lacklustre, the highlight of my visit were some very photogenic rocks and some stone stepping stones, which I had more fun crossing and snapping than I should have. Finding a quite bench to appreciate the stone garden, was calming and yes this truly was a Japanese garden. If the entire park had been like the stones it would have been a 4 verging on 5.

If you are visiting the park using the Hammersmith and City Line get off at Shepherds Bush Market and not Wood Lane. Although Wood Lane looks closer on the map, but you can't go through the old Broadcasting centre and you have to make a loop around it to get...

WARNING: DO NOT BRING YOUR DOG HERE!!

The inner garden looks nice but this is not a place for dogs. Arguably not a place for children either, despite the dedicated playground.

The outer garden is littered with broken bottles and junk. I was here with a friend a few days ago, whose dog was poisoned and rushed to an emergency veterinary clinic within hours of collapsing after having only been at this park. The vets confirmed that the dog may have ingested some drugs or other toxic substance. Thankfully the dog made a full recovery this morning.

It is not a nice area: there are a lot of junkies and unpleasant people, and although the park has some nice plant life in the centre, you'd probably be better off avoiding...

Beautiful at this time of year. From the smallest set of zebra striped grasses and thujas to the graceful willows and the contortions of the larger trees claiming the widest spaces the garden teems with vibrant colours. Take some time to breathe in its gentle majesty, let the contrast of its calm slow down your busy mind. Pause and rewind, spend precious moments in the company of nature that has no agenda other than to survive and thrive. We need to pay it more attention instead of simply passing it by expecting it to be there for us when we're very often not there to appreciate it. This is why this garden is so amazing. Its simple message whispers in your ear if you turn your head away from your...