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.

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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...

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Southwark Park Act gates

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

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Other Subjects

John Loudon

John Loudon

Garden and cemetery designer, city planner. Born Scotland as John Claudius Loudon. Studied biology, botany and agriculture. Came to London in 1803. His many publications include: Observations on La...

Person, Architecture, Gardens / Agriculture, Scotland

1 memorial
Waterloo Community Development Group

Waterloo Community Development Group

The Waterloo community's land planning group working with the community for more land for homes and essential amenities such as shops and open space.

Group, Community / Clubs, Gardens / Agriculture, Property

1 memorial
Charles Bridgeman

Charles Bridgeman

Landscape gardener.  As Royal Gardener 1726-38, he laid out Kensington Gardens for Queen Caroline.  Apart from when he was staying away on the job, he lived from 1723 to  his death at what is now 5...

Person, Gardens / Agriculture

3 memorials
Red Cross Garden

Red Cross Garden

Part of Octavia Hill's pioneering social housing scheme. It consists of two rows of cottages and a community hall, designed by Elijah Hoole. It was created to provide 'An open air sitting room for ...

Place, Community / Clubs, Gardens / Agriculture

3 memorials
St James's Square Trust

St James's Square Trust

From the Picture source website: "... the St James’s Square Trust is intent on preserving tranquility and avoiding the incursion of large, disruptive commercial ventures in the Square. The gardens ...

Group, Gardens / Agriculture

2 memorials

Previously viewed

Gizmo

Gizmo

E1, Commerical Street, Golden Heart Pub, 110

The one and only Gizmo, local personality and Shihtzu, lived here 5.11.88 - 13.1.99

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
E. V. Knox

E. V. Knox

Editor of Punch, 1932 - 1949, essayist and poet. Used the penname Evoe. In 1977 his daughter, Penelope Fitzgerald the author, wrote a biography, "The Knox Brothers" of him and his two brothers.

Person, Journalism / Publishing, Literature

1 memorial
Ben Okri

Ben Okri

Poet and novelist.  Born Nigeria but spent his early childhood in London.  Returned to England to study in the late 1970s.  His 1991 novel 'The Famished Road' won the Booker Prize.

Person, Literature, Poetry, Nigeria

1 memorial
C. J. Fitch

C. J. Fitch

District Officer in the St John Ambulance Brigade, No. 1 District Metropolitan Corps, 1896-1941. Officer in the Order of St John.

Person, Emergency Services, Medicine, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
R. K. Helye

R. K. Helye

J. Lyons & Co. Ltd. staff member who died in WW2.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW2
1 memorial