On June 13-14, more than 200 private garden squares will take part in the Open Garden Squares Weekend, organised by the London Parks & Gardens Trust.

The majority of London's garden squares were created during the Georgian and Victorian eras. But unlike garden squares in other European capitals, our havens of wildlife were designed to be used and enjoyed and the properties that surround them continue to be some of the most desirable places to live in the capital.

Here are some of the perfect squares we'll be exploring this weekend.

Fitzroy Square, Marylebone

Tucked away behind Cleveland Street in the heart of Marylebone, Fitzroy Square has remained relatively undiscovered despite being one of the finest Georgian Squares in the city, designed by Robert Adam in the late 18th century.

The beauty of Fitzroy Square and its enclosed circular garden was enhanced when it was pedestrianised in the 1970s which had the effect of returning it to a bygone era – it is often used to film period dramas, such as the recent BBC adaptation of Austen's Emma.

Less glamorous than squares like Cadogan or Grosvenor, Fitzroy Square attracts a bohemian and creative crowd and boasts myriad notable past residents, including George Bernard Shaw and Virginia Woolf, both former occupants of Number 29.

Ladbroke Square, Notting Hill

Like Ladbroke Grove, Ladbroke Square sits on the site of what was once a great hippodrome, built in the 1930s in the hope of rivalling Ascot. Sadly, its success was muted and it lasted only five years before closing.

Ladbroke Square hosts possibly the largest communal garden in the city, its three hectares of greenery surrounded by beautiful stucco fronted terraces. The large family houses here are hotly sought after, especially those in Kensington Park Gardens where the gardens open directly onto the square.

Chalcot Square, Primrose Hill

Tucked away behind Regent's Park Road, surrounded by pretty pastel-coloured houses, Chalcot Square oozes charm. Built in the Victorian era, it has played host to a number of notable residents, including the writer Sylvia Plath in the early 1960s. More recent residents, concerned about the upkeep of the garden, have created the Friends of Chalcot Square. The Friends host four annual events in the square for residents: an Easter egg hunt, summer drinks, an October bulb-planting party and Christmas carols.

Gibson Square, Islington

Famous among London cabbies for being the first run they do for The Knowledge (Manor House to Gibson Square), Gibson Square is one of the area's most sought-after addresses. There are always a few buyers waiting patiently for a property to come on the market here.

The picturesque square – which is open to the public – is only 150m from Upper Street, but is very quiet with no through traffic. Its accessibility is also hugely appealing: from here you can not only walk to the City, but stroll up to Kings Cross and hop on a train to Paris.

During the Second World War Gibson Square even became part of the war effort when it was dug up for air raid shelters.

These days, the square tends to be popular with buyers from the creative industries, as well as legal and finance sectors, with the best family homes – many of which are listed – costing around £2.5m.

Cadogan Place, Knightsbridge

Of all Central London’s garden squares, Cadogan Place is one of the most unique and certainly the largest, extending from the lower part of Sloane Street to the Carlton Tower Hotel on Cadogan Place.

A private garden square owned and managed by the Cadogan Estate, it boasts two tennis courts, a dedicated children's area and a section for dogs (not all London squares are pet-friendly). It has always had a very international appeal, especially to buyers from Italy, Greece, France and Spain, and there’s a real mix of both houses and apartments. Some of the square's properties have blue plaques commemorating notable former residents such as William Wilberforce and Harold MacMillan. It also makes a fictional appearance in the Henry James novel, The Golden Bowl.

Kensington Square, Kensington

The oldest garden square in London, Kensington Square has a charm quite apart from others. Founded in 1685, the square was initially called King’s Square in honour of James II, and came into its own when it housed William and Mary’s court from Kensington Palace.

Unlike many of the later squares of uniform Victorian architecture, each plot in Kensington Square was sold and built separately, creating a far more interesting terrace of individual properties. It consists of predominantly freehold houses, all with access to the private garden and ranging in price from £6m to around £20m.

Numerous blue plaques are dotted around the square, with notable former residents including composer Hubert Parry and pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones. Today, residents are predominantly families, of both British and international origins, with children in schools nearby.

Here is a selection of properties available at some of London's finest square gardens.