Southwark Park

Today, Southwark Park is a typical mature Victorian public park, with avenues of trees, a lake, and large shrubberies.

To the north of the lake is a formal enclosed garden, also called the 'Old English Garden', and sometimes now the 'Sexby Garden', after a former LCC parks superintendent. North of this area are large shrub beds, an enclosed bowling green, and an area of parkland with a bandstand and avenues of plane trees leading to it.

The lake is in the centre of the park. It has an island in it, and parts of it have been sectioned off for boating.

East of the lake is a playground, an arts center (the 'Cafe Gallery'), and visitor facilities. To the south are football pitches, and an athletics track.

Southwark Park was the first public park to be opened formally in London, after the Royal Parks. It was first managed by the LCC.

A restoration of the park has been carried out in recent years with the aid of an HLF grant. Most of the key historical features have been renovated, the bandstand included. The lake has been desilted, and new playground equipment installed.

The park is managed by the London Borough of Southwark. For further information on the park, contact 020 7525 5000.

Facilities and features

• Cafe
• Toilets

• Gardens
• Lake
• Art gallery

• Boating
• Playgrounds
• Sports facilities

Getting there

• Underground; Surrey Quays station (East London Line) is close to the park perimeter. Bermondsey or Canada Water stations are less than 500m away.
• Bus; routs 1, 47, 188, 199, 225, 381, 395, P13 pass close by the park.
• Car; there is a car park at Hawkstone Road.