Canbury Gardens
Encyclopedia
Canbury Gardens is a public space in Kingston upon Thames
, along the Lower Ham Road, covering 14-and-a-half-acres area between the road and the towpath
along the River Thames
, downstream from Kingston Railway Bridge
.
was built on the ground behind which had formerly been used to convert raw sewage to garden fertlizer. Landscaping work in the 1980s restored the gardens and after the demolition of the power stations, flats were built on its site.
(DCSF) for developing play areas.Also within the site are Kingston Rowing Club
and the "Boater's Inn" a local jazz venue. Until 2009, the gardens hosted the yearly Green Fair event where band concerts were held and fundraising for local charities. This event has since been cancelled. The gardens also host a Dragon Boat
race.
Buses that run close to Canbury Gardens include the 65
. The Thames Path
from Teddington Lock
passes along the river frontage which faces Steven's Eyot
.
Kingston upon Thames
Kingston upon Thames is the principal settlement of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames in southwest London. It was the ancient market town where Saxon kings were crowned and is now a suburb situated south west of Charing Cross. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the...
, along the Lower Ham Road, covering 14-and-a-half-acres area between the road and the towpath
Towpath
A towpath is a road or trail on the bank of a river, canal, or other inland waterway. The purpose of a towpath is to allow a land vehicle, beasts of burden, or a team of human pullers to tow a boat, often a barge...
along the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
, downstream from Kingston Railway Bridge
Kingston Railway Bridge
Kingston Railway Bridge crosses the River Thames near Kingston upon Thames, England carrying the South West Trains looping branch line from London Waterloo to Shepperton and Richmond. It was first discussed in 1860 and completed in 1863. The bridge links Kingston and Hampton Wick stations, and...
.
History
In feudal times parishioners used the area to graze animals and cut turf and timber for fuel. In the 19th century when material for road building became a valuable resource, the old grazing land was replaced by a series of pits for gravel extraction. By 1887 the site had become an eyesore and the borough proposed a public garden "that the view from the river shall be a pleasant one and not, as at present, unsightly and obnoxious". The gardens were designed by the borough surveyor Henry Macaulay and opened in 1890. Kingston Power StationKingston Power Station, London
Kingston Power Station was a coal-fired generating station on the Thames in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey . It ceased generating in 1980 and has been demolished.-History:...
was built on the ground behind which had formerly been used to convert raw sewage to garden fertlizer. Landscaping work in the 1980s restored the gardens and after the demolition of the power stations, flats were built on its site.
Today
The park consists of open lawns and a band stand. Several hard surface tennis courts are available to the public. The Gardens have been included in the UK Government's Playbuilder Project, a national project funded by the Department for Children, Schools and FamiliesDepartment for Children, Schools and Families
The Department for Children, Schools and Families was a department of the UK government, between 2007 and 2010, responsible for issues affecting people in England up to the age of 19, including child protection and education...
(DCSF) for developing play areas.Also within the site are Kingston Rowing Club
Kingston Rowing Club
Kingston Rowing Club is an amateur rowing club, based in England, founded in 1858.The club is one of the world's oldest and most successful amateur rowing clubs...
and the "Boater's Inn" a local jazz venue. Until 2009, the gardens hosted the yearly Green Fair event where band concerts were held and fundraising for local charities. This event has since been cancelled. The gardens also host a Dragon Boat
Dragon boat
A dragon boat is a human-powered watercraft traditionally made, in the Pearl River delta region of southern China - Guangdong Province, of teak wood to various designs and sizes. In other parts of China different woods are used to build these traditional watercraft...
race.
Buses that run close to Canbury Gardens include the 65
London Buses route 65
London Buses route 65 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to London United.-History:...
. The Thames Path
Thames Path
The Thames Path is a National Trail, opened in 1996, following the length of the River Thames from its source near Kemble in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier at Charlton. It is about long....
from Teddington Lock
Teddington Lock
Teddington Lock is a complex of three locks and a weir on the River Thames in England at Ham in the western suburbs of London. The lock is on the southern Surrey side of the river....
passes along the river frontage which faces Steven's Eyot
Steven's Eyot
Steven's Eyot is an ait in the River Thames in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, London, England, on the reach above Teddington Lock. It is just below Kingston Railway Bridge and opposite Kingston Rowing Club....
.