Island Gardens
Encyclopedia
Island Gardens is a public park located at the southern end of the Isle of Dogs
—hence the name 'Island'—in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets
on the north bank of the River Thames
. The park was formally opened on 3 August 1895 by prominent local politician Will Crooks
—one of many local improvements he instigated.
It is notable for its spectacular cross-river view of the classical buildings of the former Greenwich Hospital, the Cutty Sark
and the National Maritime Museum
, with Greenwich Park
forming a backdrop. The northern entrance of the Greenwich foot tunnel
is also within the park. It is almost certain that the view from this location is the one that the Canaletto
painting 'Greenwich Hospital from the North Bank of the Thames' is taken from, though whether Canaletto himself actually visited the site is in doubt.
The park also gave its name to Island Gardens DLR station
. This opened in 1987 as the southern terminus of the DLR's initial system, and was an elevated terminal station situated to the west of the park. The later construction of the DLR extension to Lewisham
involved a tunnel
under the Thames, and Island Gardens station was relocated approximately 100 metres (328.1 ft) north, close to the northern entrance to the tunnel by Millwall Park. The new station is largely underground, and the original elevated station was demolished.
Isle of Dogs
The Isle of Dogs is a former island in the East End of London that is bounded on three sides by one of the largest meanders in the River Thames.-Etymology:...
—hence the name 'Island'—in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is a London borough to the east of the City of London and north of the River Thames. It is in the eastern part of London and covers much of the traditional East End. It also includes much of the redeveloped Docklands region of London, including West India Docks...
on the north bank of 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,...
. The park was formally opened on 3 August 1895 by prominent local politician Will Crooks
Will Crooks
William Crooks was a noted trade unionist and politician from Poplar, London, and a member of the Fabian Society...
—one of many local improvements he instigated.
It is notable for its spectacular cross-river view of the classical buildings of the former Greenwich Hospital, the Cutty Sark
Cutty Sark
The Cutty Sark is a clipper ship. Built in 1869, she served as a merchant vessel , and then as a training ship until being put on public display in 1954...
and the National Maritime Museum
National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England is the leading maritime museum of the United Kingdom and may be the largest museum of its kind in the world. The historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, it also incorporates the Royal Observatory, Greenwich,...
, with Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park is a former hunting park in Greenwich and one of the largest single green spaces in south east London. One of the Royal Parks of London, and the first to be enclosed , it covers , and is part of the Greenwich World Heritage Site. It commands fine views over the River Thames, Isle of...
forming a backdrop. The northern entrance of the Greenwich foot tunnel
Greenwich foot tunnel
The Greenwich foot tunnel is a pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich in the south with the Isle of Dogs to the north...
is also within the park. It is almost certain that the view from this location is the one that the Canaletto
Canaletto
Giovanni Antonio Canal better known as Canaletto , was a Venetian painter famous for his landscapes, or vedute, of Venice. He was also an important printmaker in etching.- Early career :...
painting 'Greenwich Hospital from the North Bank of the Thames' is taken from, though whether Canaletto himself actually visited the site is in doubt.
The park also gave its name to Island Gardens DLR station
Island Gardens DLR station
Island Gardens DLR station is a Docklands Light Railway station on the Isle of Dogs, just north of the River Thames. It is in Travelcard Zone 2.The station is close to the southern tip of the Isle of Dogs and the River Thames...
. This opened in 1987 as the southern terminus of the DLR's initial system, and was an elevated terminal station situated to the west of the park. The later construction of the DLR extension to Lewisham
Lewisham station
Lewisham station is a National Rail and Docklands Light Railway station in Lewisham, south east London. It is on the south-east London commuter rail network operated by Southeastern. The Docklands Light Railway station opened in 1999 on a southward extension from Island Gardens on the Isle of Dogs...
involved a tunnel
Tunnel
A tunnel is an underground passageway, completely enclosed except for openings for egress, commonly at each end.A tunnel may be for foot or vehicular road traffic, for rail traffic, or for a canal. Some tunnels are aqueducts to supply water for consumption or for hydroelectric stations or are sewers...
under the Thames, and Island Gardens station was relocated approximately 100 metres (328.1 ft) north, close to the northern entrance to the tunnel by Millwall Park. The new station is largely underground, and the original elevated station was demolished.