Guided Tour of Southwark Park’s Trees

Event Information

Southwark Park is one of London’s largest and oldest public parks. It will be no surprise then, that it is home to many fine and interesting trees, many of which date back to its foundation.

The Park was opened in 1869 to a design by Alexander McKenzie (also the landscaper of Finsbury Park which opened the same year), and its original layout is still largely intact. Several sympathetic additions have been made since, including the Ada Salter Memorial Garden, remembering the first female mayor in London, whose tenure at the Borough of Bermondsey began in 1919.

This guided walk is a chance to explore the nineteenth century landscape, including the many fine London plane trees in the park. We shall discover some interesting tree species that have been planted more recently, and also visit the Ada Salter Garden where the legacy of this pioneering politician in Bermondsey and Rotherhithe will be discussed.

The walk is organised by the Southwark Park Association and is led by Paul Wood, one of London’s leading tree experts and the author of several books about trees in the city including London is a Forest.

Paul Wood is the author of 'London’s Street Trees', 'London Tree Walks' and 'London is a Forest'. Many people may have come across him on social media where he posts as @TheStreetTree.

Contributors

Southwark Park Association 1869

Southwark Park Association 1869 is a voluntary community organisation, founded in 2018. Our principal aims are to promote and protect Southwark Park and King’s Stairs Gardens for the benefit of the public, by working in partnership with local authorities, other democratic organisations and individuals. The Association is a strictly non-party political organisation.

Location of event

Pavilion Café, Southwark Park, Southwark Park Road, London SE16 2JH