Peckham Rye Park, and the adjacent open space of Peckham Rye Common lie in the south of the borough of Southwark. Together they cover 45 hectares. The park lies to the south of the Common.
Access is from the surrounding roads, including Peckham Rye, Homestall Road, Colyton Road, East Dulwich Road in SE15 and SE22. Strakers Road leads into the common, and to a public car park.Most of the significant features of the park are within a landscaped central area, which is surrounded by the open land of the common to the north, and football pitches within the park to the south.
Peckham Rye Park contains several distinct gardens and ornamental features, though these are all placed together near the centre of the park.
There is a formal garden, with rose pergolas, one of the older features of the park. Like many similar gardens in inner London parks, it is now named after J. J. Sexby, parks officer for the London County Council.There is a Japanese Garden, now in the decidedly English state of being rather overgrown.
There is a lake and a series of ponds in a little valley inside the park. The lake has an island covered in trees.A number of mature interesting trees can be found, both in the park, and some on the adjacent common.
There two playgrounds, one for smaller children, and also an adventure playground.
There is a public and club bowling green.Other facilities include a football pitch and a basketball court. There is plenty of space on the common and in the park for informal games.
Events such as funfairs are sometimes held on the common.Land with commoner's rights has existed in the areafor several centuries before the 19th century. In 1882 the modern Peckham Rye Common was acquired as public land by the Metropolitan Board of Works. Adjacent to it was a farm, Homestall Farm, which was acquired later, and was opened as Peckham Rye Park in 1894.
The original development of the park was carried out by the London County Council.Much work has been carried out in the park in the last few years, mostly financed by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The park has a visitor centre with public toilets. Contact the visitor centre on 020 8693 3791. It is managed by the London Borough of Southwark, contact 020 7525 5000.
Peckham Rye Park is closed at night, though Peckham Rye Common is always open.