Somewhere behind the iron railings, behind the tall trees, away from the hustle of the city streets you will find it. From whichever point you start the pathway it will only lead you to tranquility, calm and a true sense of being embraced by nature.

The new gardens at the Natural History Museum are nothing short of breathtaking. Over the last few years we have longingly looked at the artist illustrations on the high wooden boards shielding this oasis from the world as she took shape. When we finally had the chance to immerse ourselves, the beautiful pathway held our hand on a journey through time before inviting us to take respite surrounded by water alive with nature.

The sense of awe as you listen to the silence, (bar birdsong and wind dancing through the grasses) whilst wrestling with the reality that one of the busiest cities in the world is waiting, just steps away to draw you back into the chaos, only makes you want to venture further into the space. 

Starting in the Evolution Garden, the huge stone canyon gently directs you to follow the pathway nestled in plants from throughout time. All the way along every one of your senses are soothed. There are small brass castings on plaques so you cannot only read about the nature in front of you but feel it too. Feel it with your physical hands and also through that connection feel it in your soul. Your eyes will not know where to look there is so much to see, but there are so many wonderful resting places to sit and take in that small portion of your surroundings for just a little while. Each one tactile and unique made from a myriad of different natural materials. As you meander through this part of the garden, the time before humans, your attention will be drawn towards the sky as you become aquatinted with Fern, the beautiful bronze diplodocus who gate keeps the Jurassic Garden. As you move away, human footprints on the ground imprint on the pathway which takes on the most beautiful mosaic effect with what looks like pieces of sea glass, terracotta and glass bottles even. For us it gave a definite feel that humans had changed the path Earth had taken up to this point in time. Crossing in front of the museum as you transition over into the Nature Discovery garden remember to look up at the incredible building and remind yourself of the astonishing amount of nature it houses.

As you start to enter the Nature Discovery Garden a true sense of restfulness washes over you. There are pockets of nature to be explored here, with wellbeing and connection to nature firmly in its design. Walk into the woodland and not only sit but recline and gaze upwards to forest bathe from one of the wooden benches that’s design invites you to lay back and see things from another point of view. You then find yourself welcomed by sunken pathway to a pond habitat teaming with life. Wait a while here and look for frogs and newts as well as moths and dragonflys. The forgotten art of delayed gratification is at play here as you stare into the masses of green leaves waiting to see movement. Watching a stillness in my children rarely witnessed without screens these days and the sheer joy and excitement when they spotted something meant I could have happily sat for hours, reading all the names on the plaques, listening to the chatter as I thought back to my own childhood, noticing (but not hearing) the odd red London bus pass by in the distance A true haven that simultaneously allows our minds to rest and reminds us just how beautiful nature can be.

There are many more treasures to delight you as you stroll, those you will need to discover yourself. For me, the gardens have left an imprint on my heart and had a profound effect on my soul. As a regular visitor to the museum, knowing there is this haven waiting for us to recalibrate in between the sometimes overwhelming go go go of a London day out certainly brings an easygoingness to proceedings.