Parks & Gardens
East London has a surprising number of green open spaces, over one hundred places to relax with your friends or to have a picnic with your family. The most well-known being Greenwich Park, England's oldest enclosed royal park with spectacular views of London, Thames Barrier Park, Lee Valley Park and inland waterways, Mudchute Park and Farm, Royal Arsenal Gardens, London’s oldest park Victoria Park and Mile End Park.
Did you know that the landscaped areas of Canary Wharf include more than 42 species of tree? For more information about Canary Wharf's open spaces, please click here.
Three museums in particular are surrounded by gardens well worth a visit:
- the glamour of the Art Deco mansion at Eltham Palace is matched outside by the remains of one of Henry VIII's palaces, a moat and wooden bridge, a rock garden, a formal sunken rose garden, pergola, loggia and ‘garden rooms’ designed for shade-loving and winter-flowering plants.
- the surrounding gardens at the Geffrye Museum continue the museum's domestic theme, with award-winning walled herb garden, featuring a whole range of culinary, household, aromatic and medicinal plants, and a series of period gardens.
- the Horniman Gardens, surrounding the Horniman Museum include delightful rose and sunken gardens, an analemmatic sundial where you can tell the time by using your own shadow, an animal enclosure and a nature trail, and offer stunning views out over London.
Beckenham Place Park
The Visitor Centre, open from 2pm - 4pm on Sundays, is situated in one of the large rooms in the Mansion, accessed through the portico. In the Summer the Centre may stay open longer. There are displays on the history of Beckenham Place Park – flora and fauna – as well as many free leaflets about wildlife, history and geology. A copy of the Friends quarterly newsletter is usually available.
The friends run walks, talks and workdays throughout the year – open to all members and non-members alike …. and it’s all FREE. Most events last about 1-2 hours, but you can join in for as long or as little as you want. It’s advisable to wear stout walking shoes, as paths get very muddy! Children are welcome, but a parent or a guardian should accompany under-11 year olds. Dogs are welcome if kept under control! Walk leaders always carry water, first-aid kit and mobile phone.
By arrangement, the Visitor Centre can be opened at other times for local groups to visit and have a guided walk around the park. All events are free, but donations are much appreciated.
The Friends of Beckenham Place Park
T: 0208 325 8781
E: bpp.friends@ntlworld.com
Canary Wharf
Canary
Wharf offers a selection of open spaces located around the estate, all of
which have a different theme.
Canada Square Park's layout is a bold abstract pattern designed to look like a contemporary painting; Westferry Circus has been modelled on a typical London square; Cabot Square features a spectacular fountain at the centre of an elevated stone-paved plaza, which is line with formally pruned lime trees. Jubilee Park provides a pastoral setting for peaceful relaxtion with its 200 mature trees and 22 pools, each with its own fountain. Montgomery Square is a haven of magnificent elm trees, a re-introduction of elm trees since the 1970's when all elms were virtually eliminated from Britain's landscape due to Dutch elm disease. Other open spaces include Columbus Courtyard and Canary Wharf Riverside.
Thames Barrier Park
The
green symbol of East London's regeneration. Located on the north bank of the
Thames in Silvertown and the historic Royal Docks this contemporary urban
space was designed & developed for the enjoyment of Newham residents and
visitors. Featuring the Green Dock sunken garden, a 32 jet fountain plaza,
Coffee Shop, excellent Children's Play Area and spectacular views across the
Thames and the Flood Barrier. The park is now easily accessible by public transport, after Docklands Light Railway opened Pontoon Dock station in 2005.
North Woolwich Road, London E16
Open daily dawn till dusk (admission free)
Free coach and car parking
Getting There: Pontoon Dock DLR station (on the route to King George V) is a minute away from Thames Barrier Park
T: 020 7511 4111
W: www.thamesbarrierpark.org.uk
