Parks and Gardens

Please check opening times and prices before you visit.

Although at the heart of London, Southwark has lots of parks and open spaces, many of which have won awards. Each park has its own characteristics including tranquil gardens, nature trails and sporting facilities. A remarkable 25% of Southwark is open spaces.

CHUMLEIGH GARDENS Burgess Park SE5 020 7525 1050
Elephant & Castle Elephant & Castle 42 343 P3
This unique garden in the heart of Southwark offers a fascinating opportunity to see four different styles of gardens based on design and planting throughout the world. From a typical English garden to the exotic Far East, Chumleigh Gardens is ideal for visitors of all ages. In addition Chumleigh provides the base for the Art in the Park team and there are often scupltors working in the grounds.

TIBETAN GARDEN OF CONTEMPLATION AND PEACE
Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park (next to Imperial War Museum) SE1
Elephant & Castle Elephant & Castle 12 35 40 45 53 68 68A 148 171 176 344 360 453 C10 P3
The ‘Samten Kyil’ or Tibetan Garden of Contemplation and Peace opened in summer 1999. The centre piece is a Mandala – a Tibetan Buddhist symbol connected with peace and the well-being of those who see it. The outer circle of the garden contains specially commissioned sculptures representing the four elements of earth, fire, water and air.

SURREY DOCKS FARM Rotherhithe Street SE16 020 7231 1010
Canada Water, Rotherhithe South Bermondsey 1 225 381 P11
Surrey Docks Farm is a miniature commercial farm situated in part of the 18th century Wellses’ shipyard. It has a variety of animals, a working blacksmiths, a dairy and many gardens including a herb garden of texture and smell. Facilities include a café, shop and special projects, events and festivals.

LONDON WILDLIFE GARDEN CENTRE 28 Marsden Road SE15 020 7252 9186
Denmark Hill, Peckham Rye, East Dulwich 37 40 176 185 484
London Wildlife Garden Centre is a glorious award-winning park. It features a sustainable building, which has a living roof made from stonecrop and herbs! The demonstration garden has beautiful displays of flowers and the shop sells organically grown plants that are native to Southwark.

Click here for more details about Southwark's parks and open spaces.