It’s surprising how many people still don’t know about the peaceful Cloister Garden tucked away between towering Cathedral Place office block and Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Vancouver. It’s a gem worth discovering.
This lovely, secluded enclosed space, with its formal architectural lines, neatly clipped boxwood hedging and simple flat expanse of lawn in the centre, also has a classy line of shade trees and boxwood squares with wooden benches placed in between.
The repetitive row of stone arches down the west-side of the courtyard adds more character and charm to the unexpected medieval/Gothic-feel of the overall space.
The pocket garden is located next to the Bill Reid Gallery. Benches placed between the squares of boxwood are ideal spots for a time of contemplation or a quiet picnic lunch.
Check it out the next time you’re downtown. It offers a pleasant contrast to the hustle and bustle of the street scene outside long Burrard and West Georgia.
One of my favourite Vancouver urban garden designers, Jane Durante, said of this cloister garden: “With its classic row of arches and serene green of clipped hedging, neatly placed benches and classy allee of trees, the space is urban design at its very best.”
