Southwark Park Facilities

Café

The recently refurbished café serves hot and cold food and is a great place to meet people and relax. Open during park opening hours, the café has an information point, toilets, baby changing facilities and disabled access.

Gardens

Rose garden

The Old English Cottage Garden was the last of the Sexby Gardens to be designed by Col. J.J.Sexby, Parks Superintendent for the L.C.C. Most L.C.C. parks have a Sexby Garden in them, one has just been restored at Peckham.

The garden was the idea of Dr. Alfred Salter, MP for West Bermondsey and along with his wife a great local social reformer, who, apparently, would complain to his wife that there was no place of great beauty in Southwark Park for mothers and the elderly to sit. It wasn't until the Labour party took control of the L.C.C. in the mid 1930's and his wife, Ada, became a member of the L.C.C. beautification Committee that she finally got to have the garden built.

The garden was opened in the autumn of 1936, Ada Salter was too unwell to attend the opening. When she died in 1943 it was decided to rename the garden in her memory, and a plaque was placed on the back wall of the central pergola. The wall and plaque are no longer there, however a tree and a memorial stone are situated just outside the garden's eastern entrance.

Wildlife garden

The wildlife garden contains a vast array of interesting plants, animals and insects. Highlights include butterfly and wildflower meadows, a pond, an insect area and a woodland walk.

Boating lake and duck pond

Boating on the lake is an ideal way to spend a summer’s afternoon. Boats can be hired in the summer between 10am and 6pm weather permitting.

Informal games area

Large, open, grassy spaces suitable for playing games such as frisbee and rounders, can be found at both ends of the park.

Bandstand

The elegant bandstand is a reproduction of the original bandstand installed in 1884 and hosts a number of events and concerts throughout the summer.

Art gallery

The Café Gallery Projects London is one of London's foremost smaller-scale galleries. The gallery exhibits contemporary art and has a reputation for launching new talent. For more information please call 020 7237 1230 or visit www.cafegalleryprojects.com.

Children’s playground

Suitable for children aged two to ten years.

Children’s play room

The children’s play room is open to children aged 0-5 (0-8 in school holidays) and their parents and carers. The play room provides an excellent opportunity for children to play under supervision as well as being a great place for parents and carers to meet.

For more information pop into the Play Room or call 020 7231 3755.

Sports facilities

Athletics track

The track is run by Fusion, Southwark Council's leisure partner. To use the track please call 020 7231 9442 or drop into Southwark Park Sports Centre, Hawkstone Road, London SE16 2PE. Alternatively visit the Fusion website and follow the link to Southwark Park.

Bowling green

The green is open to the public from April through to September. To use the green call 020 7237 5671 or pop into the Southwark Bowls Club.

Football pitches

The pitches can be booked from August through to March. Contact the Sports Pitch Bookings Office at Chumleigh Gardens on 020 7525 1050.

Tennis courts

The courts can be used free of charge. To book, contact the area park manager on 020 7525 2000.

Contact us

Tel: 020 7525 2000
Fax: 020 7237 3440
environment@southwark.gov.uk