Southwark Park

Southwark Park lies in Rotherhithe, a corner of South East London long tied to the river and trade. Opened in 1869 by the Metropolitan Board of Works, it was one of the first parks created under London’s new public recreation policy. Alexander McKenzie designed its 25 hectares of lawns, trees and paths. The park still bears the name of the old parliamentary seat of Southwark, which existed when it opened. Fields in Trust hold a legal deed that keeps the land for public use forever. The park owes much to local figures who shaped its gardens and programmes. Dr Alfred Salter, MP for West Bermondsey, proposed the rose garden, later named after his wife Ada Salter when she died in 1942. The Old English Cottage Garden remembers Lt-Col J. J. Sexby, the first Parks Superintendent for the London County Council. A walnut tree and silver maples stand near the art gallery, while a red oak and swamp cypresses grow by the duck pond. A 1998 grant of £2.5 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund paid for major refurbishments across the park. Visitors find a bandstand built in 1884, moved from South Kensington, and a wildlife garden beside the boating lake. Southwark Park Galleries runs year-round exhibitions in two rooms. Sports facilities include an athletics track, bowling green, football pitches, cricket square and tennis courts. The children’s playground has swings, slides and small rides. Every Saturday at nine o’clock a free five-kilometre parkrun starts here. The Friends of Southwark Park and the Young Friends group help care for the park and organise events.