The London Borough of Southwark

London Borough of Southwark

The London Borough of Southwark is a London borough in south east London, England. It is directly south of the River Thames and the City of London, and forms part of Inner London.-History:...

, occupying a roughly triangular area south of Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, England, over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, from which it takes its name...

 over 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,...

, considers itself to be one of the greenest boroughs in London, insofar as its parks and open spaces are concerned. There are more than 130 such green areas, ranging from the large areas around Dulwich

Dulwich

Dulwich is an area of South London, England. The settlement is mostly in the London Borough of Southwark with parts in the London Borough of Lambeth...

 and Southwark Park

Southwark Park

Southwark Park is located in Rotherhithe, in central South East London, and is managed by the London Borough of Southwark. It first opened in 1869 by the Metropolitan Board of Works as one of its first parks...

 in Rotherhithe

Rotherhithe

Rotherhithe is a residential district in inner southeast London, England and part of the London Borough of Southwark. It is located on a peninsula on the south bank of the Thames, facing Wapping and the Isle of Dogs on the north bank, and is a part of the Docklands area...

 to the many sports grounds and squares. The main ones are:

• Belair Park
  Belair Park
  Belair Park is located in West Dulwich part of the London Borough of Southwark, southeast London, England. Formerly the grounds belonged to Belair House, a country villa built in Adam style and now a Grade II listed building...
  
  north of West Dulwich railway station
  West Dulwich railway station
  West Dulwich railway station is in the London Borough of Southwark in West Dulwich south London. It is in Fare Zone 3, and the station and all trains are operated by Southeastern...
  
  : Grade II listed landscape, lake and sports facilities
• Burgess Park
  Burgess Park
  Burgess Park is a public park situated in the London Borough of Southwark, in an area between Camberwell, Walworth and Peckham. At 46ha , it is one of the largest parks in South London....
  
  
• Camberwell Green
  Camberwell Green
  Camberwell Green is a small area of common land in Camberwell, South London. It lies at the intersection of Camberwell Road and Camberwell New Road/Camberwell Church Street. At the North-East of the green is Camberwell Magistrate's Court, and at the North West is a home for the elderly...
  
  
• Dulwich Park
  Dulwich Park
  Dulwich Park is a 29 hectare park in Dulwich in the London Borough of Southwark, south London, England. The park was created by the Metropolitan Board of Works from former farmland and meadows. While the initial design was by Charles Barry , it was later refined by Lt Col J J Sexby...
  
  : a huge area of open space, created in 1890; contains several garden areas, many sports facilities
• Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park (area surrounding the Imperial War Museum
  Imperial War Museum
  Imperial War Museum is a British national museum organisation with branches at five locations in England, three of which are in London. The museum was founded during the First World War in 1917 and intended as a record of the war effort and sacrifice of Britain and her Empire...
  
  ), also includes the Tibetan Peace Garden
• Newington Gardens
  Newington Gardens
  Newington Gardens is located on Harper Road in Southwark, London, England. To the north-west is the Inner London Sessions House, a Crown Court.The park occupies the site where Horsemonger Lane Gaol was located for almost a century from 1791...
  
  
• One Tree Hill, near Honor Oak Park railway station
  Honor Oak Park railway station
  Honor Oak Park railway station serves the suburban area of Honor Oak in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is located between and .The station is operated by London Overground, with London Overground and Southern trains serving the station. First Capital Connect and some Southern services pass...
  
  
• Peckham Rye Park and Common: the park is Edwardian
  Edwardian period
  The Edwardian era or Edwardian period in the United Kingdom is the period covering the reign of King Edward VII, 1901 to 1910.The death of Queen Victoria in January 1901 and the succession of her son Edward marked the end of the Victorian era...
  
   and is undergoing restoration (see here
• Nunhead Cemetery
  Nunhead Cemetery
  Nunhead Cemetery is one of the Magnificent Seven cemeteries in London, England. It is perhaps the least famous and celebrated of them.. The cemetery is located in the Nunhead area of southern London and was originally known as All Saints' Cemetery. Nunhead Cemetery was consecrated in 1840 and...
  
  
• Southwark Park
  Southwark Park
  Southwark Park is located in Rotherhithe, in central South East London, and is managed by the London Borough of Southwark. It first opened in 1869 by the Metropolitan Board of Works as one of its first parks...
  
  : opened 1869, one of the earliest opened by the Metropolitan Board of Works: gardens, sports facilities
• Sydenham Hill Wood
  Sydenham Hill Wood
  The nine-hectare Sydenham Hill Wood, is situated on the northern slopes of the Norwood Ridge in the London Borough of Southwark, and is an important wildlife site. Together with the adjacent Dulwich Wood , Sydenham Hill Wood is the largest extant tract of the ancient Great North Wood...
  
  remains of the Great North Wood.

The centre of the following squares are laid to gardens:

• Lorrimore Square
  Lorrimore Square
  Lorrimore Square is a square in Southwark, south London, England.A 1681 map of Walworth made for Dean and Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral shows a common called "Lattam-more" , which is now the location for Lorrimore Square....
  
  
• West Square
  West Square
  West Square is an historic square in south London, England, just south from St George's Road. The Square is within the London Borough of Southwark, but as it is located in postcode it is commonly said to be in Lambeth....
  
  

Riverside

Southwark is a riverside borough, and one of the largest open spaces is 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,...

 itself, forming the northern boundary of the borough. A sign posted riverside trail

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....

 forms a walkway for both pedestrians and cyclists.

The Bankside Open Spaces Trust

Bankside Open Spaces Trust

Bankside Open Spaces Trust is a charity supporting and inspiring local communities to improve, create and enjoy the parks and open spaces in northwest Southwark, London, England...

is funded to manage some parks and open spaces in the north of the Borough.

External links

• Southwark's Parks and Open spaces