The Bishop's Garden — Attraction in Washington

Title: Timeless Beauty in Need of a Gentle Touch

Review:

The Bishop’s Garden at the Washington National Cathedral is undeniably one of D.C.’s hidden gems—a charming blend of medieval architecture, sacred plants, and historical echoes from the 9th to 16th centuries. I was immediately struck by its tranquil atmosphere and thoughtful design, with winding stone paths, a serene Pool of St. Catherine, and centuries-old boxwoods that whisper stories of the past. It’s a rare treat to step into a garden that so beautifully complements the Gothic majesty of the Cathedral itself.

That said, during my recent visit, I couldn’t help but notice that parts of the garden appeared slightly neglected. Some flower beds lacked the vibrant care I’ve seen in other historic gardens, and the overall upkeep seemed in need of a little more love. What also surprised me was the presence of several visitors with pet dogs roaming freely—something I feel detracts from the sanctuary-like quality of the space. For a garden rooted in sacred and historical symbolism, this felt somewhat out of place.

As someone who has visited many historic gardens around the world, I truly believe the Bishop’s Garden has immense potential to be one of the finest. With a little extra maintenance and clearer visitor guidelines, it could easily be a five-star destination. Still, for lovers of history, peace, and old-world charm, it remains a beautiful retreat...

Bishop's Garden is part of the 59-acres around the National Cathedral in Northwest D.C. When we drive from Southeast D.C., we usually find two-hour parking on 34th Street NW. It's then about a 7-minute walk to the Bishop's Garden.

The garden itself is right next to the cathedral, the third-largest church building in the country with beautiful Gothic Revival architecture. There are several entry points into the garden. Once inside, it transports you to a different world. There are flower beds, fountains, open grass, benches and a gazebo in the garden. A few benches are under shade and the gazebo with open windows is a great place to rest. During the day you can see families picnicking on the open grass on the west end of the garden.

Behind the garden is a statue of George Washington on horseback. When facing the statue, there's a stone path leading through the Olmsted Woods with more benches and an...

Such a cute little oasis! Highly recommend going, especially when the sun is down because there isn’t much shade. There are lots of benches to sit down on, as well as a good-sized grassy area for picnicking or letting kids run/play.

The garden has many types of flowers and plants, and there is even a tiny koi pond. Don’t put anything in the water or take anything out of the water though, per the sign posted next to the pond.

The garden is also dog-friendly! I didn’t see any dog water/bag stations so bring water/bags with you when you come.

Parking is only for the school during the early hours of the day but available for visitors after 3:30pm. The park closes at 8:30pm.

Part of the National Cathedral which is facing the garden is currently being restored so cranes/construction may be inevitable in your pictures if you are trying to capture flowers with the cathedral in...