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

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
National Gardens Scheme

National Gardens Scheme

Opens (mainly private) gardens to the public to raise money for charity. Grew out of a need to provide finances for retired district nurses.

Group, Benefactor, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial
John Bennet Lawes

John Bennet Lawes

Entrepreneur and agricultural scientist. Born at Rothamsted, Hertfordshire. He founded an experimental farm that eventually became the Rothamsted Experimental Station, and developed a superphosphat...

Person, Commerce, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial
Nelson Recreation Ground

Nelson Recreation Ground

From London Gardens Online: The land here was open fields until the C18th when it was purchased by the Trustees of Guy's Hospital for use as a burial ground for deceased patients. It continued as a...

Place, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial
Clissold Park and House

Clissold Park and House

Built as Paradise House, or Newington Park House, in the late 1700s for Jonathan Hoare. William Crawshay (1764 – 1834) bought it in 1811. He objected to his daughter's choice of a husband so it was...

Place, Gardens / Agriculture, Property

2 memorials