ABOUT ALLEN HALL

Allen Hall is the seminary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster, one of seven seminaries of the dioceses of England and Wales, where men are prepared for ministry as Catholic priests.

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Tour of the House: Gardens

MAIN GARDEN

As the nuns living here were completely enclosed, so could never go out, the garden attached to the convent was of some considerable size. This we are fortunate enough to have maintained, and this year it came 3rd in the Church Gardens category of the Brighter Kensington and Chelsea Scheme.

Photos of the main garden:

THE QUAD

The seminary buildings enclose the Quad, which, with its fountain and seating, forms a surprisingly quiet and tranquil spot shielded from the noise of the streets.

Photos of the Quad:

ST THOMAS MORE GARDEN

Also located in the garden is a mulberry tree supposedly planted by St Thomas More when he owned the property. It is mentioned in the play A Man for All Seasons as a place where the saint sat with his daughters to read. The St Thomas More garden is a quieter, more secluded part of the garden devoted to the saint on whose land the seminary now sits.

Photos of the St Thomas More Garden:

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