Parks & Gardens
Since setting up as a charity in 2000, we have helped to create and look after over 45 different sites in the SE1 area alone. From street planters to secret gardens, public parks to sports facilities, our open spaces invite everyone to escape the bustling city. Here is a selection of the key locations you can visit now.
Red Cross Garden
Red Cross Garden is an award winning park which we renovated and restored to its original Victorian layout in 2005. Steeped in history, this park was founded by Octavia Hill and built along with its neighbouring cottages in 1886.
Waterloo Millennium Green
A welcome oasis in a busy transport hub, the Green boasts a large central lawn, planting to encourage insects and birds, mature trees, accessible paths, two eye catching sculptures, a cascade and rain-garden packed with more pollinator-friendly planting.
Crossbones Garden
A quiet garden with an extraordinary history. This post mediaeval burial ground is believed to be the last resting place of an estimated 15,000 people. Now a garden of remembrance, managed in partnership with Friends of Crossbones
Marlborough Sports Garden
Marlborough Sports Garden is a fantastic public open space a few minutes walk from London Bridge. The Sports Garden is used by the local community who value it for the role it plays in promoting the health and wellbeing providing much-needed access to physical activity, sport, and leisure pursuits.
Diversity Garden
The Diversity Garden is a community garden with a focus on food growing, shared by residents who live in the area. During 2012 local people helped to kick start the growth and ‘rebirth’ of the space, planting native hedgerows, fruit trees and an ‘edible’ hedge composed of bay, gooseberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants,and other assorted herbs.
Tate Community Garden
A secret garden created in 2006 in partnership with Tate Modern. Designed to benefit those who live and work within walking distance of the gallery. Covered seating, winding paths, a fishpond and varied planting gives local people a private, tranquil space in an otherwise crowded tourist destination.
Christ Church Garden
Christ Church Garden is a green oasis off Blackfriars Road, with beds and borders of shrubs and flowers all under a lush canopy of London plane and lime trees. In summer, the space is busy with local residents, office workers and church visitors, and contributes to the`green ladder’ of other spaces along the Thames.
Mint Street Park
A Southwark Council owned park, Bankside Open Spaces Trust designed and maintains areas of planting within the space. Our volunteers keep the borders looking lush and colourful year round, offering habitats to local wildlife and respite to local people.
MORE
Winchester Palace
Winchester Palace Garden is nestled in the ruins of the Palace of the Bishops of Winchester. The planters are placed among the visible wall remains that were part of the undercroft of the Great Hall. The surviving 13th Century Rose Window of the Great Hall is a beautiful backdrop to the Garden.