Place    From 19/6/1869 

Southwark Park

Categories: Gardens / Agriculture

The Park was created mainly from market gardens. More information at  Historic England. The opening day is variously given as 19 or 9.

An information board at each of the main entrances to the park gives the following information:

Southwark Park is Grade II listed, covers 26 hectares and opened to the public on the 19th June 1869. Its design was based on an original map, produced by the Superintendent Architect, Mr Vulliamy, and Alexander McKenzie. The original intention was for part of the park to be used as building plots, but the Vestry of Bermondsey opposed this.

In 1884 a bandstand which was acquired from the Great Exhibition {actually the International Exhibition of 1862} in South Kensington was placed in the Park.

By 1885 substantial changes to the layout had occurred including the addition of the lake. In 1908 the lake was enlarged and adapted for boating. The English Rose Garden replaced island bedding in 1934 and was commissioned by Dr Salter to create a peaceful retreat for people to relax. In 1942 it was renamed the Ada Salter Garden in memory of his wife. In 1872 the carriage drive was reduced in width when the building plans were eventually shelved. The original carriage drive leading from Jamaica Gate now divides the park.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Southwark Park

Commemorated ati

Bandstand - Southwark Park

Francis Fowke designed the buildings for the 1862 International Exhibition in...

Read More

Southwark Park Act gates

{On each of the 4 gate leaves:} Southwark Park Act - 150 years {On the raili...

Read More

Other Subjects

King George's Fields Foundation

King George's Fields Foundation

After the death of King George V the Lord Mayor of London set up a committee to decide on a suitable national memorial. It was decided to erect just one statue and create a number of playing fields...

Group, Gardens / Agriculture, Royalty, Sport / Games

9 memorials
Norland Square Garden Committee

Norland Square Garden Committee

The managing committee of Norland Square Garden in London, W11.

Group, Community / Clubs, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial
Kai Leslie

Kai Leslie

We are not certain that these dates are for her life or for the time that she was associated with Ennismore Gardens.

Person, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial
William Andrews Nesfield

William Andrews Nesfield

The Regent's Park plaque has the date of birth as 1794 but this contradicts all the other sources we have found, which have 1793. Nesfield was a significant Victorian garden designer who had a rep...

Person, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial
Old Velho / First Jewish cemetery

Old Velho / First Jewish cemetery

From London Gardens Online : "The Sephardi Velho (Old) Cemetery opened in 1657, the first Jewish cemetery to be established with Oliver Cromwell's approval. The land was formerly part of a garden a...

Place, Gardens / Agriculture

2 memorials