Dear Readers, we’ve been to Golders Green Crematorium for a walk several times before, but I don’t think we’ve ever caught it just as the Azaleas and Rhododendrons are at peak colour. I was wearing sunglasses as it was a sunny day, but I think I’d have needed them regardless. I suspect I should probably head over to the Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park to get a full-scale burst of what these plants could do, but even this more limited display was really something, especially when interspersed with the Japanese Maples and the last of the cherry blossom.

Typically the sun went in for my pond photo. Sigh.

But then came out again for the Mexican Orange Blossom…

…and the lilac…

…and this rather impressive two-tone lilac…

Then there were a few more azaleas…

and a rhododendron…

and finally, a tree peony. That crisp white blossom was a bit of a relief after all the colour.

I can never resist taking a photo of the memorial walk.

This is a wonderful, peaceful spot for a walk, highly recommended. I’ve written about the history of the place before, and about the rose garden and a heron here, and about a visit in high summer here. It’s surprising how much a place changes through the seasons, but Golders Green Crematorium manages to look wonderful at any time of year, a real tribute to the gardeners.