Place    From 19/6/1869 

Southwark Park

Categories: Gardens / Agriculture

The Park was created mainly from market gardens. Alexander McKenzie, the landscape designer to the Metropolitan Board of Works, also designed Alexandra Palace Park and Finsbury Park. 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.

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

River Fleet

River Fleet

The Daily Mail has a useful map showing the route of the old Fleet River, buried long ago. It is said that you can still hear it gurgling past through a grating in Farringdon Road near the Guardian...

Place, Gardens / Agriculture

2 memorials
Groundwork

Groundwork

An environmental agency based in Birmingham. It works with communities across the United Kingdom, to help them create places in which to live and work in a greener, more sustainable way and to impr...

Group, Gardens / Agriculture

3 memorials
Sir Joseph Paxton

Sir Joseph Paxton

Architect responsible for the Great Exhibition, 1951. Born Milton Bryan, Bedfordshire. The Crystal Palace Company gave him, free of rent, Rockhills, a Regency house to the north of the Crystal Pala...

Person, Architecture, Gardens / Agriculture

3 memorials
Battersea Park re-opened, 2004

Battersea Park re-opened, 2004

Battersea Park was re-opened to the public after extensive restoration.

Event, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial
Norwood Action Group

Norwood Action Group

A local group dedicated to the economic, environmental and social regeneration of the area.

Group, Community / Clubs, Gardens / Agriculture, Social Welfare

2 memorials